Vientiane: Mr. Bounleua Phandanouvong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Committee for External Relations of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, led a delegation to congratulate Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Lao PDR, on the occasion of the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam.According to Lao News Agency, during the meeting, Mr. Bounleua Phandanouvong praised the achievements of the Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) over the past 96 years. He noted that Vietnam has maintained political stability, national defense and security, sustained economic growth, and improvements in people's living standards. He also highlighted Vietnam's role and prestige at regional and international levels.Mr. Bounleua reaffirmed the pride in the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, which have been elevated to a strategic partnership benefiting both countries.On behalf of the LPRP External Relations Committee, he extended best wishes to Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam, his family, and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy on the occasion of the upcoming Vietnamese Traditional Lunar New Year (Tet).In response, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam expressed his thanks for the congratulatory visit and emphasized the close coordination between the Vietnamese Embassy and the LPRP External Relations Committee in strengthening relations between the two Parties and States. He also referred to the successful state visit to Vietnam by the General Secretary and President of the Lao PDR in late January 2026 and noted that both sides are preparing for the upcoming state visit of CPV General Secretary To Lam to the Lao PDR.The Ambassador congratulated the Lao people on the successful organization of the XII National Congress of the LPRP and reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to implementing high-level agreemen ts reached between the two countries.On this occasion, Mr. Bounleua Phandanouvong handed over a letter of congratulations from the LPRP Central Committee to the CPV Central Committee, as well as a congratulatory telegram addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.