Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone begins official visit to Vietnam

On January 6, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his wife arrived in Hanoi, starting an official visit to Vietnam, and co-chairing the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee from January 6-7, at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Thủ tướng Phạm Minh Chính gặp Thủ tướng Lào Sonexay Siphandone nhân dự Hội nghị cấp cao ASEAN - Hội đồng Hợp tác Vùng Vịnh (GCC) tại Saudi Arabia, ngày 20/10/2023. (Nguồn: TTXVN)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on the occasion of the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Saudi Arabia, October 20, 2023. (Source: VNA)

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in his new position. During the visit, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will attend the official welcoming ceremony and hold talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The two Prime Ministers will co-chair the 46th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee. Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone will have meetings with Vietnamese leaders and a number of other activities in Hanoi.

The delegation included: Mrs. Vandara Siphandone, wife of Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone; General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith.

Accompanying the Lao Prime Minister on the visit were: Minister of Planning and Investment, Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee Khamjane Vongphosy; Minister, Head of the Prime Minister's Office Alounxai Sounnalath; Minister of Industry and Trade Malaithong Kommasith; Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket; Minister of Energy and Mines Phosay Sayasone; Minister of Education and Sports Phout Simmalavong; Minister of Finance Santiphab Phomvihane; Minister of Technology and Communications, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association Boviengkham Vongdara; Governor of the Bank of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Bounleua Sinxayvoravong; Minister of Public Works and Transport Ngampasong Muongmany; Senior Lieutenant General Kongthong Phongvichit, Deputy Minister of Public Security; Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh.

Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, born January 26, 1966; nationality: Lao; professional qualification: Master (Business Administration).

Mr. Sonexay Siphandone has held the following positions: Officer of the Operations Department, General Staff (1987 - 2000); Provincial Party Committee member, Chief of the Champasak Provincial Office (2000 - 2005); Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Deputy Governor of Champasak Province (2005); Member of the 8th Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Deputy Governor of Champasak Province (2006 - 2010); Member of the 9th Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Governor of Champasak Province (2011 - 2014); Member of the 9th Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee, Minister, Head of the Government Office (2014 - 2016); Member of the 10th Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister (2016 - 2019); Member of the 10th Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister, concurrently Minister of Planning and Investment (October 2019 - 2021); Member of the 11th Politburo, Deputy Prime Minister (2021 - December 2022); Member of the 11th Politburo, Prime Minister (December 30, 2022 - present).

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