Fostering the great friendship between Vietnam and Laos

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith thanked President To Lam for his State visit to Laos, bringing the sincere friendship, solidarity and close attachment of the Party, State and people of Vietnam. That is the spirit of the exemplary, loyal, pure and unique Vietnam-Laos relationship in the world.

President To Lam and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith pose for a photo. (Photo: NHAN SANG / VNA)

Solidarity, close bond

Right from the early morning, when the plane carrying President To Lam and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation landed at Wattay International Airport, Vientiane capital, everyone could feel the friendly atmosphere, warm comradely love, and the warm and sincere welcome of Lao friends.

On many streets leading to the Lao National Assembly, thousands of people in traditional costumes and overseas Vietnamese in Laos held flags and flowers to welcome President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on a state visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

This is his first foreign visit. President To Lam Since taking on the new assignment, affirming Vietnam's consistent policy of always giving the highest priority to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation Vietnam-Laos.

At the welcoming ceremony, General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith welcomed President To Lam at the parking lot with sincere and warm feelings of comradeship and brotherhood.

The visit is a vivid manifestation of the exemplary, loyal, pure international relationship, unique in the world. Looking back on the glorious history, every citizen is extremely proud of the special relationship between the two countries that has continuously developed and borne fruit.

The highlight of President To Lam’s visit was a series of comprehensive foreign affairs activities and important results achieved. Nearly 20 activities of the President in more than one day in Laos took place in a friendly atmosphere, full of comradely love, the leaders had a trustful, sincere and frank exchange on orientations and measures to promote cooperation in various fields.

General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed that President To Lam brought to Laos the sincere friendship, solidarity and close attachment of the Party, State and people of Vietnam; emphasizing that he will continue to promote the unique relationship in the world with President To Lam to become more sustainable and effective. General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith sincerely thanked Vietnam for its support for Laos during the struggle for national independence, as well as in the construction and development of Laos today.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone emphasized that the great and comprehensive achievements that the Party, State and people of Vietnam have achieved continue to be a great source of encouragement for Laos in the cause of national defense, construction and development. Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane also affirmed that President To Lam's first state visit to Laos demonstrates the friendship and brotherhood of the Party, State and people of Vietnam.

The talks, meetings and conferences between President To Lam and the leaders of the Party, State, Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction, and the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association took place in a friendly atmosphere, with trust and sincerity. The two Parties, two States and peoples joined hands and hearts, strongly promoted the tradition of solidarity and cooperation, helped each other, and continued to firmly advance the revolutionary cause of the two nations.

Together we move forward

President To Lam's visit also affirmed Vietnam's strong support for the cause of innovation, protection and construction of Laos; supporting Laos to successfully implement the Resolution of the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the 9th Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan, preparing to organize the 12th Party Congress, thereby continuing to foster strategic trust between the two Parties and the two countries.

President To Lam and General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith reaffirmed their commitment to continue bringing the Vietnam-Laos relationship into a new stage of development, and proposed major directions and measures to elevate economic cooperation to match the stature of political relations.

A notable mark in the relationship between the two countries is that Vietnam currently has 241 investment projects in Laos with a total registered capital of more than 5.5 billion USD, maintaining the third position among countries and territories investing in Laos. Vietnam-Laos trade turnover in the first 5 months of 2024 reached 779.6 million USD (an increase of 11% over the same period in 2023).

Economic development is always associated with humanistic, sustainable and long-term values. This was clearly demonstrated when President To Lam visited Star Telecom (Unitel) - a joint venture of the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel) in Laos. The company is a pioneer in digital transformation, accounting for 57% of the market share; contributing more than 60 million USD to the Lao State budget each year, creating many jobs for 27,000 workers; actively supporting the Lao Government in digital transformation and building e-Government.

President To Lam advised the staff and employees of Star Telecom Company to always maintain the spirit of solidarity, growth and sustainable development. Business activities must be combined with economic diplomacy and defense diplomacy, implementing social security programs, contributing to the community, and spreading cultural values to businesses in Laos. "It is necessary to respect the law, compete fairly and lawfully; do business with kindness and true respect for customers" - the President emphasized.

Along with economic activities, cultural and educational cooperation has also seen many improvements. The Vietnam-Laos educational cooperation project for the 2021-2030 period has been actively implemented; more than 14,000 Lao students are studying at more than 170 Vietnamese educational institutions. Presenting a gift of 30,000 USD to the Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese Bilingual School, the President expressed his delight at the school's efforts and growth, especially its contribution to actively promoting Vietnamese children and young generations of Laos to understand Vietnamese culture, people and the special solidarity between the two peoples.

The mark of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation is also reflected in the spirit of comradeship and brotherhood. Vietnam wholeheartedly supports Laos in successfully assuming important international responsibilities in 2024, including the role of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair.

President To Lam announced the gift from the Party, State and people of Vietnam to the Party, State and people of Laos, which is 20 VinFast electric cars, to support Laos in successfully organizing important activities during its ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2024.

President To Lam and General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith also attended the ceremony to activate the project "Implementation of the population management and citizen identification system project in the Lao People's Democratic Republic", a project of special significance in the process of building a digital government and digital nation in Laos and a testament to the great friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

President To Lam's first overseas trip demonstrated special, sincere, united, and close feelings, continuing the tradition that President Ho Chi Minh affirmed: "Vietnam-Laos, our two countries/Love is deeper than the Red River and Mekong River" and President Kaysone Phomvihane affirmed: "The two hearts of Laos and Vietnam will always be together, never apart."

Source