Organizing the Vietnam-Laos Cultural, Sport and Tourism Festival

On the afternoon of June 27, Vice Minister Huynh Vinh Ai presided over the press conference to introduce the second Vietnam-Laos border cultural, sports and tourism festival at the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Mr Huynh Vinh Ai affirmed that this is a series of cultural and political activities with great significance in the context of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (5/9 /1962 - 5/9/2017) and 40 years of signing the Vietnam- Laos Friendship Treaty (18/7/1977-18/7/2017).

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Huynh Vinh Ai presided over the press conference

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith co-chaired the launching ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Solidarity Year, Laos-Vietnam 2017 in late April.

Deputy Minister Huynh Vinh Ai stressed that on this occasion, the historical relics of the Vietnam - Laos revolution is expected to be inaugurated in Lao Kha village, Phiengyai commune (Yen Chau) on 6th July,2017. This is a highlight in the series of activities to celebrate the Solidarity Year 2017 between the two countries. This is a historical landmark marking the revolutionary activities of leader Lao - Kaysone Phomvihane and the Laos-North Volunteers team in Son La, from 1948 to 1950. Historical relics of the Vietnam – Laos revolution expressing lofty international spirit, symbol of friendship and become important historical sites to educate and propagate the younger generations of the two countries about the traditional friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

Answering the question of marking performances and festivals of cultural activities of the local participating the festival, Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huynh Vinh Ai asserted that it is not accurate to call “marking”. However, marking includes form and content, the way of performing and organizers consider whether the activities are correct, be placed in correct process or not, do not offensive and keep the spirit of preserving and promoting the traditional culture of the peoples.

Pham Van Thuy, vice-chairman of Son La People’s Committee said at the press conference

According to Mr Pham Van Thuy, vice chairman of Son La People's Committee said that the way to call "marking" festival is not accurate. Because the festival is a form of community cultural activities and each ethnic group has its own unique culture. So they can not be compared together or can not be marked in the common way.

According to Mr Pham Van Thuy, this festival will be held in nine provinces of Vietnam and 10 provinces of Laos along the Vietnam-Laos border. It is estimated that there will be about 80 artists from Laos joining with about 900 artisans and people from 9 provinces in Vietnam.

The 2nd Vietnam-Laos Cultural, Sport and Tourism Festival in the border region in 2017 with the theme of "Vietnam-Laos Friendship Solidarity" will take place from July 5 to the end of 7th July, 2017.

Activities in the Second Vietnam-Laos Cultural, Sport and Tourism Festival in the border region 2017:

The Festival showed typical cultural and tourist products of different regions; The exhibition space introduces artwork about the people and potentials of the Vietnam-Laos border provinces in the process of integration and development; Sports activities such as tug-of-war, push-up the sticks, crossbow shooting, public art festivals and traditional costumes; Performing, introducing festivals, rituals of local cultural activities; Border tourism workshop - integration and development; Organize tours to visit Son La city - Vietnam - Laos historical relics, Vieng Xay - Hua Phan ...