(VNF) - Huynh Cach Mang, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and President of the City Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, shared the results of the working visit to Laos of the delegation of HCM City’s high ranking officials.

From July 25^th to August 1^st, a high-ranking delegation of HCM City’s officials led by Tat Thanh Cang, Vice Secretary of the City's Party Committee, had visited some of Lao localities.

During the trip, the delegation held many activities, thereby tightening the relationship between Ho Chi Minh City and Laos localities; contribute to bringing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos to even greater heights.

Through this trip, the reporter had exchanged with Huynh Cach Mang, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee and President of the City’s Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association on the results of the visit.

Huynh Cach Mang, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee and President of the City’s Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association.

Could you highlight some of activities of the HCM City delegation in Laos?

- It can be said that this trip of the HCM City delegation has been successful. Within the framework of the trip, the delegation held a variety of practical and effective activities.

Specifically, the delegation had coordinated with the capital Vientiane and three Champasak, Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang provinces holding activities to commemorate the 55^th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Laos (September 5^th, 1962) and 40 years of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation (July 18^th, 1977); coordinated with your local organizations to organize a wide variety of meaningful events promoting culture such as “The 2017 Ho Chi Minh City Days in Vientianne” and "The 2017 Ho Chi Minh City Days in Champasak" with perse activities such as photo exhibitions, traditional music and dance of ethnic groups, fashion shows, folk art performances, introducing Vietnam and HCM City and highlighting the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

The series of events commemorating the two major national holidays attracted thousands of visitors, and special art performances attracted thousands of viewers when broadcasting on Lao National Television and local news channels.

In addition, the delegation also organized the activities "The 2017 Ho Chi Minh City Days in Laos"; the 2017 Ho Chi Minh City Trade, Service and Tourism Fair in Savanakhet province; the Trade and Tourism Promotion Conference between HCM City and Laos; the ceremony of cows donation to Vientiane; opening ceremony of the photo exhibition on Vietnam-Laos relations, launching the reading room for children in Xiang Khouang province, visiting the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Savannakhet province, etc.

During the visit, the delegation also had meetings with the leaders of Vientiane, Champasak, Savannakhet and Xiang Khouang provinces; as well as visiting Lao Vice President Phankham Viphavanh, former Party chiefs and former Presidents Khamtay Siphandone, Choummaly Sayasone and General Sisavath Keobounphanh, former Prime Minister and President of the Lao Front for National Construction.

At the 2017 Ho Chi Minh City Days in Champasak.

How did this trip of the Ho Chi Minh City delegation achieve results?

- The visit confirmed that the people of Vietnam, including the HCM City’s people sincerely appreciated the Lao Party, State and people for the great support they have given to Vietnam during the past struggles for national liberation, and the current process of national construction and defence.

Ho Chi Minh City highly respects the heartfelt feelings that the leaders, senior leaders of Laos for generations of leaders of HCM City’s Party, Government and people; and hoping that the leader of Laos would take account of education for the peoples of the country, especially the youth, on the long-standing friendship between Laos and Vietnam.

The delegation has completed the purpose of the trip. The message of respect and cooperation enhancement with Lao localities was confirmed during every meeting and received deep support from central and local leaders in Laos.

This delegation to Laos has the largest scale ever with nearly 200 members and various activities in politics, economy, culture, sports, etc., has confirmed the determination of HCM City to nurture the friendship and solidarity between the two countries, as well as between the city and Lao localities.

On Lao side, during the working sessions, they affirmed their deep respect for the special friendship between the two countries, considered as a model in international relations and invaluable assets for the two Parties and peoples.

Laos has also organised a wide range of activities at the central and local levels in order to educate their people, especially the young generations, on the priceless solidarity, fighting alliance and comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

Vice Secretary of the HCM City's Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang presented an embroidery portrait of President Ho Chi Minh and President Cayson Phomvihan to Savannakhet province. (Photo: Ai Chan)

From the achieved results, in the coming time, there will be programs and activities in HCM City to further strengthen the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos in general and with Laos localities in particular?

- HCM City will promote cooperation with the Laos localities by increasing the exchange of high-level delegations, unions and people; strengthening trade and investment exchanges, etc., and setting up an inter-sectoral working group on cooperation with Laos.

The implementation of the cooperation agreements signed between Ho Chi Minh City and Laos will also be reviewed and promoted, especially programs that Laos are interested in such as implementation of a project to raise beeves in Vientiane; financial, budgeting, tax training and experience exchange of the People's Council.

In addition, the HCM City’s Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, the Communist Youth Union, the Union of Friendship Organisations, the Sponsoring Association for Poor Patients and the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese will coordinate and continue to organise medical examinations, eye operations, gift-giving program for poor patients, underprivileged Lao people as well as continue to launch the Green Summer campaign.

The HCM City Department of Education and Training will preside and continue to annually provide scholarships for Lao students and postgraduates. The City’s Department of Tourism will assist Vientiane in hosting the Laos Tourism Year of 2018 and a tourism conference of Mekong River Sub-region cities in Vientiane city; connecting and promoting visitors travel to HCM City to continue travelling further into other countries in the region, including Laos and vice versa.

The Department of Information and Communications will support Vientiane’s Department of of Posts and Telecommunications in developing a modern public administration system, building information data, connecting data and information, etc. These are practical activities contributing to strengthening of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos and the economic development between HCM City and Laos.

Thank you so much for the interview.

Translated by Chau Pham