(From right to left) Deputy Prime Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath, Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam, and President of the Lao Front for National Development, Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, cut a cake. --Photo Lao News Agency

Vietnam marks 80th Independence Day in Vientiane

Vietnam’s Embassy to Laos on Friday hosted a grand reception in Vientiane to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s Independence Day (September 2, 1945 – 2025), a milestone that reflects the nation’s proud journey from its historic struggle for independence to its current role as an active and trusted member of the international community.
Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and her Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou attended the event, along with Lao Party and state leaders, members of the Vietnamese community, foreign diplomats, and distinguished guests.
Addressing the reception at the Muong Thanh Luxury Vientiane Hotel, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam recalled the historic moment of September 2, 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi.
 He said the declaration not only marked the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), but also ushered in a new era of independence, freedom, and self-determination.
“From a land without a name on the world map, heavily devastated by war, and from a backward economy, over the past 80 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnam has risen to rank 32nd in the world in terms of economic scale, and is among the top 20 economies in terms of trade and foreign investment attraction,” the ambassador said.
He emphasised how Vietnam has transformed itself from a besieged and isolated nation into a trusted member of the international community. Today, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries and is linked through 17 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) involving 60 major economies worldwide.
The ambassador also noted that 2025 marks several other historic milestones including the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh, and the 50th anniversary of national reunification. It also marks the completion of Vietnam’s 2021–2025 development plan, paving the way for an ambitious double-digit growth target in the period 2026–2030.
Referring to Vietnam’s recent major merger of provinces, he said his country will continue to strengthen its institutions and legal frameworks, driving development under the motto: “open policies, smooth infrastructure, smart governance.”
Ambassador Tam further underlined the special solidarity and friendship between Laos and Vietnam, forged by Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane, and Souphanouvong, and nurtured through successive generations.
 He noted that Vietnam remains one of the largest investors in Laos, with total investment exceeding US$5.8 billion, while bilateral cooperation continues to grow in trade, infrastructure, education, and defense.
On this occasion, the ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Lao Party, State, and people, as well as international partners, for their consistent support, and called for continued cooperation to promote regional peace, security, and development.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update August 25, 2025)