Politburo member and Prime Minister of Laos Phankham Viphavanh arrived in Hanoi on January 8 morning, beginning his official visit to Vietnam from January 8-10 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh, according to VNA.

This is Viphavanh’s first visit to Vietnam in his capacity as Prime Minister of Laos. (Photo: VNA)

The Lao PM is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Chansamone Chanyalath; Deputy PM, Minister of Planning and Investment and Chairman of Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee Sonexay Siphandone; Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, and other ministers and officials.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosts a ceremony at the Presidential Palace to welcome his Lao counterpart. (Photo: VNA)

It is the first visit by a foreign high-ranking leader to Vietnam this year, showing the determination of the two countries' leaders in promoting Vietnam - Laos special friendship and effectively carrying out the Vietnam - Laos Joint Statement in June 2021. It is also the first meaningful event within the framework of the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship in order to further tighten bilateral special relationship.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh invites Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh to the podium, while the military band plays the national anthems of the two countries. (Photo: VOV)

The two PMs held a talk after the welcome ceremony earlier the same day. PM Chinh spoke highly of the achievements recorded by Laos in the national construction and reform over the past time as well as its government’s determination and efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 and expressed his gratitude to the heart-felt support and help from the fraternal country to Vietnam in the national construction and defense.

For his part, the Lao leader also spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in its recent national construction and development and thanked the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for their great, valuable help to Laos.

The visit takes place at a time when the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos are firmly consolidated and deepened in all fields. (Photo: VOV)

They reaffirmed their countries’ consistent policies of always attaching importance and top priority to the consolidation and strengthening of the bilateral great relationship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation. The two sides agreed to continue the exchange of high-level and lower-level visits and contacts, effectively implement the agreements reached, provide mutual support in safeguarding socio-security stability, and continue to jointly search for remains of Vietnamese soldiers who laid down their lives in Laos.

The two exchanged ideas on measures aimed at raising the level of the pillar of economic cooperation to match the bilateral special relationship; and agreed to boost the connectivity between the two economies, especially the land-road, railway, aviation seaport projects. They also agreed to continue raising the quality of the education-training cooperation; strengthen exchanges in culture, sports, and tourism; and boost cooperation in clean agriculture, e-commerce, and digitally transform.

The two PMs review the guard of honor in Hanoi. (Photo: VOV)

The two sides shared various common assessments on the international and regional situation; and agreed to continue their close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, to join other ASEAN countries in supporting Cambodia to successfully carry out its 2022 ASEAN chairmanship, and to support Cambodia to push the implementation of the ASEAN 5-point consensus on the halt of violence and the acceleration of humanitarian support for Myanmar. They also agreed to continue their coordination to maintain the ASEAN common stance on strategic issues related to peace and stability of the region, including the South China Sea issue.

The Lao PM invited PM Chinh to pay an official visit to Laos at a suitable time, and the invitation was accepted.

After the ceremony, the two PMs hold talks on cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. (Photo: VOV)

Following their talks, the two PMs witnessed the ceremony to sign and exchange eight cooperation documents in the fields of security, border, economy, banking, education, health care, and electricity.

During the ongoing visit, the two PMs will co-chair the launch of the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022 and the 44th session of the Vietnam - Laos Inter-governmental Committee. The Lao guest is scheduled to meet Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Prime Ministers Pham Minh Chinh and Phankham Viphavanh witness the signing of cooperation agreements after their talks (Photo: VNA)

Ambassador: Lao PM's Vietnam Visit to Add Impetus to Comprehensive Cooperation The upcoming visit to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavan is expected to give fresh impetus to comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

Youths of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Tighten Friendship and Solidarity Young outstanding delegates of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia participated in a youth friendship programme, taking place in Vietnam’s southern Binh Duong province .

Laos-Vietnam Friendship Model Vocational School Started Construction A groundbreaking ceremony for construction of a school built with funding from the Vietnamese government, was held in the central Lao province of Khammouane.