B;ogger’s Note: Ho Chi Minh – and the Viet Minh (which had existed since 1941) – declared “Independence” from French and Japanese colonial rule on September 2nd 1945 (following the Japanese Surrendered). When I was young, I was told that the British Aemy landed in Vietnam during August 1945 (in Lieu of the French) to take the surrender of the defeated Imperial Japanese Forces. Ho Chi Minh and his Viet Minh had been staunch allies of the UK during WWII. However, the US (and Churchill) had other ideas. Ho Chi Minh was promised complete freedom and self-determination for Vietnam if the Vietnamese people fought the Japanese – which they did. The British disarmed the Japanese – and then immediately “re-armed” them. From that moment onwards – the British and “unsurrendered” Japanese fought together against Ho Chi Minh until the imperialist French were able to send a new army to re-occupy their former colony during late September 1945. The Japanese had invaded Vietnam in 1940 – although the Vichy French had partly collaborated. This was a betrayal of a former British ally. Vietnam had been split down the 16th Parallel during the Potsdam Conference during WWII – with Nationalist Chinese troops occupying North Vietnam and the British Army occupying South Vietnam. The French retook the South and when the Nationalist Chinese lost in the Mainland – these troops withdrew leaving the Viet Minh in-charge of the North. The French invaded to the north of the 16th Parallel in 1954 – forcing a battle at Bien Dien Phu with the Viet Minh – which the French lost suffering a humiliating defeat. The UN officially recognised “North Vietnam” – whilst the US occupied South Vietnam – effectively beginning the Vietnam War (which the Americans would lose by 1973 – and its fabricated “South Vietnam” being militarily defeated in 1975). The Viet Minh in the North became the (regular) “North Vietnamese Army” (NVA) – whilst the South Viet Minh (living under the tyranny of the US and Catholic Church) became the (guerrilla) “Viet Cong”. With the liberation of Vietnam – the Laotian people secured their freedom. ACW (6.9.2026)
On September 1, 2026, Brigadier General Sivilay Phengsantisouk, Standing Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Head of the Luang Prabang Political Military Command, led a delegation to present a flower basket and extend congratulations to the Consulate General of Vietnam in Northern Laos and the Office of the Dien Bien Trade Centre in Northern Laos on Vietnam’s 81st National Day.
The delegation was warmly received by Vu Ngoc Ly, Consul General of Vietnam in Northern Laos, and Pham Tuan Minh, Head of the Office of the Dien Bien Trade Centre, along with their respective delegations.
Brigadier General Sivilay conveyed best wishes for good health and success, and expressed his hope that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, particularly between the two countries’ military and local authorities, would continue to deepen.
The Vietnamese representatives expressed appreciation for the visit and extended best wishes to the leadership, officers and soldiers of the Luang Prabang Provincial Military Command, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the enduring special relationship between the two countries.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 