The noble mission of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party

Today, March 22, the Lao Party, State and people from all ethnic groups jubilantly celebrate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). It is a historic milestone in the arduous yet glorious struggle of the Lao people under the leadership of the LPRP, thereby further affirming the noble mission of the LPRP as the leader of the country and people in international integration and national development.

An art performance to mark the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties held in Hanoi in July 2017.
An art performance to mark the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties held in Hanoi in July 2017.

Over the past few months, a patriotic emulation movement have been launched across the country to celebrate the Party's 65th founding anniversary.

The establishment in 1930 of the Indochinese Communist Party, the predecessor of the LPRP, was a historic turning point in the struggles for independence for the peoples of three Indochinese countries: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Following that, the Lao people’s struggle entered a new phase and the Lao revolution became an intrinsic part of the Indochinese revolution.

The LPRP led the revolutionary movement from victory to victory, reaching the pinnacle on December 2, 1975 when the country was fully liberated from imperialism and colonialism and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was established, taking its people to an era of peace, independence and development.

Over the past 65 years under the leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people have overcome numerous difficulties to achieve continuous economic growth, political and social stability and increasingly better lives. Notably after over 30 years of implementing the renewal policy and nearly five years of implementing the resolution of the 10th Party Congress, the Lao people have recorded significant accomplishments, enhancing the status and strength of the Lao revolution and the country’s position on the international stage. Accordingly, Laos has maintained a relatively high economic growth rate, reaching an average rate of about 6.5% per year for the past ten years with a low inflation rate (about 2% per year).

Such victories have affirmed the sound and creative policies of the LPRP, a resilient revolutionary party which, in the face of adversity, has always been dedicated to national independence, prosperity and the happiness of its people as well as international peace, democracy and social advancement.

Vietnam and Laos are close neighbours, with both people enjoying a friendly and long-standing relationship. The traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and the leaders and peoples of the two countries throughout history have become invaluable assets of the two Parties and peoples and a crucial factor ensuring the victory of revolutionary causes in both nations.

In a context where the world is witnessing many complicated developments and challenges, the two Parties, States and peoples will continue to maintain, promote and pass on such assets to later generations, while at the same time aiming to reinforce and promote the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in a more substantive and diversified manner. The two countries should also support each other as well as work closely with other ASEAN members to join hands to build the ASEAN Community, making active contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

On this special occasion, we once again express our sincere gratitude to the valuable and whole-hearted support of the Lao Party, State and people for the Vietnamese Party, State and people in the struggle for national independence and reunification in the past as well as for current national construction and defence.

We sincerely wish that the people of Laos under the wise leadership of the LPRP led by Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith will continue to gain great new victories in the implementation of the Resolution of the 10th Party Congress and the 8th Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan for the 2016-2020 period; and successfully build a peaceful, independent, democratic, united and prosperous country; successfully organise party congresses at all levels towards the 11th National Party Congress; and successfully complete the national development strategies, especially the Socio-economic Development Strategy for the 2016-2025 period, with a vision to 2030.

May the great traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Laos last forever!