Laos helps repatriate fallen Vietnam war heroes

Lao Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit has affirmed the willingness of his country to continue to create conditions conducive for Vietnam to collect and repatriate the remains of Vietnam fallen soldiers in his country.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Cung (left) and Lao Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit (right) (Photo: qdnd.vn)
Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Cung (left) and Lao Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit (right) (Photo: qdnd.vn)

The Vice President made the affirmation on June 18 at a reception for Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Cung, who heads the Vietnam Government Special Mission and is on a working visit to Laos from June 16 to 19.

Vice President Vorachit expressed his high appreciation and gratitude for the 20-year-plus co-ordinated efforts of the Special Mission and Lao partners in researching, collecting and repatriating the remains of more than 16,400 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers to their homeland.

He also stated that Laos will forever be indebted to the volunteer soldiers and experts who fought and sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom and independence of both countries during wartime.

Deputy Defence Minister Cung said the primary purpose of his visit is to sign minutes on the 2013-2014 co-operation agreement which seeks to locate, collect and repatriate the remains of the last 1.000 volunteer soldiers, and award distinctions in recognition of the appreciation of Vietnam to Lao individuals and groups for their assistance in the work.

Vice President Vorachit also conveyed his gratitude to Laos Government and people for their support and his hope for closer co-operation between the two sides in the future.

VNA