In receiving Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone's official visit to Vietnam, President Vo Van Thuong affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always prioritize the Vietnam - Laos relationship.

Continuously promote cooperation

On the afternoon of January 6, at the Presidential Palace, President Vo Van Thuong received Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who was on an official visit to Vietnam and agreed to co-chair the 46th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

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President Vo Van Thuong welcomed Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone

President Vo Van Thuong expressed his pleasure to meet Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone again and expressed confidence that Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone's official visit to Vietnam this time will create new momentum, bringing substantive results commensurate with the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Vietnam - Laos. The President affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam always prioritize the relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

President Vo Van Thuong highly appreciated the important achievements of the fraternal Lao people under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the direction and administration of the Lao Government in recent times. The President also expressed his belief that Laos will continue to achieve many new achievements in socio-economic development, continue to successfully build a peaceful, independent, unified, democratic, and prosperous Laos country, and have an increasingly high position in the region and the world.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed his joy at his first official visit to Vietnam in his new position and at meeting President Vo Van Thuong again. He appreciated the results of the President's official friendly visit to Laos in April 2023. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also conveyed the greetings of General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith to President Vo Van Thuong.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also appreciated the important achievements that Vietnam has achieved in recent years, emphasizing that they are a great source of motivation for Laos to make more efforts in economic development and country building. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone expressed confidence that under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the Vietnamese people will successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Socio-Economic Development Strategy for the period 2021 - 2030.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his wife at the welcoming ceremony

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also emphasized that the Party, State, and people of Laos always remember and thank Vietnam's sincere support for Laos in the past career of fighting for national independence and building, protecting, and developing the country today. The Prime Minister also highly appreciated the investment of Vietnamese businesses in Laos, actively contributing to its socio-economic development.

Both parties much recognized the recent strong and all-encompassing expansion of Vietnam-Laos cooperation in every area. The parties decided to keep up high-level visits and contacts at all levels; successfully carry out significant agreements between the two Parties and two nations; foster collaboration in the areas of security, defense, and diplomacy; and keep up the emphasis on propaganda and education, bringing the people of the two nations—especially the younger generation—aware of the historical legacy of closeness, fidelity, and accomplishments of the unique solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

Besides, constantly promoting cooperation in other fields such as economics, trade, investment, education, and training, and tourism focuses on coordinating and connecting tourism cooperation activities based on Tourism Year Laos 2024 and the program "One journey, three destinations."

President Vo Van Thuong emphasized that the two sides need to continue to promote exceptionally good political relations, closely coordinating to implement cooperative plans and projects effectively to bring practical benefits to the people of the two countries. President Vo Van Thuong affirmed that Vietnam will always stand side by side to help Laos fulfill its international responsibilities in 2024, enhancing Laos' position and maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

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Strengthen the connection between the two economies

On the same morning, after the official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had talks with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandon.

The first official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in his new role was cordially welcomed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. 
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone thanked the warm and respectful welcome of the Government and people of Vietnam for the high-ranking delegation of the Lao Government and emphasized his joy for his first official visit to Vietnam in his new position. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also expressed his impression and congratulated the achievements in socio-economic development, defense - security, and great foreign affairs that Vietnam has recently achieved.

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The two prime ministers were happy at the excellent, thorough, far-reaching, and successful growth of Vietnam and Laos' strong friendship, unique solidarity, and all-encompassing cooperation in all areas. Political ties between the two nations are fundamental to the general course of their relationship since they are still robust, dependable, and connected.

High-level contacts, meetings, and trips are routinely exchanged between parties. Defense, security and foreign affairs cooperation continue to be important, increasingly deepening and effective, helping to consolidate the solid foundation of the two countries' relationship. Economic, trade and investment cooperation continues to have positive changes. Vietnam currently has 241 investment projects in Laos with a total registered capital of 5.47 billion USD, maintaining the 3rd position among countries and territories investing in Laos.