Students from Hanoi are joining a volunteer programme in the Lao capital of Vientiane from July 8-20 to mark the 46th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, said Nguyen Thanh Phong, Secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union.

This is the second year the union has participated in such a programme to enhance relations between young people from the two capital cities.

The volunteers, who have come from various universities in Hanoi, will go to Saytany district, 60km from Vientiane, to give free check-ups and medicine to locals, present 2,000 gifts to preferential treatment beneficiaries, and join cultural exchanges there.

They will also guide local people to keep their living environment hygienic and prevent epidemics in humans and animals.