NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (right) said while receiving Vice President of the Lao NA Sounthone Xayachack. Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) is willing to help Laos train officials in people-elected agencies as well as experts for the Lao NA Office, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said while receiving Vice President of the Lao NA Sounthone Xayachack in Hanoi on July 20.

Welcoming the Lao NA Vice President's first visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations establishment and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, Hue hailed the renovation and creativity of the Lao NA with the organization of an extraordinary session and the issuance of a national action program to solve difficulties and stabilize the country’s macro economy.

Hue affirmed that the Vietnamese NA will do its best to cooperate with the Lao NA for common innovation, and higher operational efficiency, making the ties between the two legislatures match the special relations between the two countries and become a model relationship in parliamentary cooperation.

He suggested that the two NAs increase the exchange of delegations among the People Councils of localities, especially those along the shared border and sharing close relations.

Regarding the new cooperation agreement signed between the two NAs in May, Hue proposed the two sides build plans for each year to supervise joint projects of ministries, sectors and governments of the two countries.

Initially, it is necessary to remove difficulties to foster economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries, he said.

Showing his honor to receive the National Gold Order – the highest distinction of Laos, Hue pledged to work hard to make a great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Laos evergreen and sustainable forever.

In response, Sounthone briefed her host on the outcomes of her working sessions with Vietnamese officials, and expressed her strong impression at the great and comprehensive achievements of Vietnam, especially in controlling COVID-19 and boosting economic development at the same time. The Lao NA Vice President vowed to work with Vietnamese officials to continue to promote the effectiveness of the ties between the two countries.

Both Hue and Sounthone highlighted the significance of the meeting in Hanoi on July 18 to mark the 60th founding anniversary of the Vietnam - Laos diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, as well as the speech of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith at the event.

The Lao NA Vice President agreed with the Vietnamese NA leader on the need to increase delegation exchanges and organize conferences and seminars to share experience in law-building, supervision and deciding on important issues of each country. It is necessary to continue to teach Lao and Vietnamese languages for officials of each country, she said.

Sounthone thanked the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for supporting Laos both in the past and present, especially during the hard times when Laos suffered adverse impacts from COVID-19.

Raising public awareness of Vietnam-Laos relations

NA Permanent Vice President Tran Thanh Man on July 20 suggested the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Parliamentarians Group (VLFPG) and the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association (LVFA) step up the communication work to raise the awareness of people, especially younger generations, about the special relationship between the two countries.

NA Permanent Vice President Tran Thanh Man (right) and President of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Parliamentarians Group, and Boviengkham Vongdara, Lao Minister of Technology and Communications and President of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association (Photo: VNA)

At the reception for the delegation led by Boviengkham Vongdara, Minister of Technology and Communications and President of the LVFA in Hanoi, Man stressed that Vietnamese people always keep in mind the valuable support of Laos during Vietnam’s past struggles for national liberation, construction and defense.

Vietnamese people consider preserving and developing the special relationship their own task, said Man, who is also VLFPG President.

The official highlighted the good legislative ties between the two countries, adding that joint efforts have been made to implement the agreement reached during the official visit to Laos by NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue last May.

The two legislatures have exchanged experience in law-making and supervision, contributing to socio-economic recovery post-COVID-19, Man said.

For people-to-people exchange, he suggested the two associations raise more initiatives and organise more activities to promote people-to-people diplomacy, thus contributing to the bilateral ties.

In reply, Boviengkham Vongdara briefed the host on operations of the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Friendship Associations with various activities in 2022 designated as the year of solidarity and friendship between the two countries.

The LVFA will work harder to contribute to the development of the Vietnam-Laos special friendship, he pledged.

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