Vietnam builds school to commemorate 50 year friendship
Xepon district, Savannakhet province: Xepon district has received a new secondary school courtesy of the Vietnam government, as part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Vietnam.
Dongsavan Secondary School, which is situated on Road No. 9 in Dong village, opposite the Museum of Lao-Vietnam Legacy of Joint Victory Battle, has been funded by the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), at a cost of more than US$1.1 million.
A handover ceremony took place at the school yesterday to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1962-2012) and the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty (1977-2012).
The ceremony took place the day before Lao and Vietnamese officials were to hold a grand meeting to commemorate the legacy of the two countries' special solidarity on the battlefield in this area.
Attending the ceremony on behalf of the Vietnamese government were Politburo member and Head of the Commission for Popularisation and Education of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Mr Dinh The Huynh, and former General Secretary of the Vietnam Communist Party, Mr Le Kha Phieu. Also present were former Lao Politburo member Mr Samane Vinhaket, Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, and Head of the Party Central Committee's Propaganda and Training Board, Mr Cheuang Sombounkhan.
Dongsavan Secondary School has been bu ilt in the standard design of the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports and has 12 classrooms that can accommodate 500 students. With classes running in both the morning and the afternoon, it is hoped the school will turn out skilled students who can make a positive contribution to the country's workforce.
The school is not only a useful education facility for local people, but is also an important token of the friendship between Vietnam and Laos - in particular with the people of Savannakhet province.
In addition to funding the building of the school, Vietnam has provided 5,000 books, US$3,000, 15 computers and a television to further facilitate education in the province.
Last year the Vietnamese government also built a secondary school in Viengthong district, Huaphan province, at a cost of US$1 million. The school has 12 classrooms and can accommodate up to 1,000 students.
The BIDV has contributed to social and economic development in Laos on several occasions, including providing US$7 million in funding. The government and people of Laos greatly value these contributions, and hold the special friendship between the citizens of Laos and Vietnam in high regard.
