The official visit to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh from January 8-10 has been the opening of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year, aiming to further foster the special ties between the two countries amid the complicated regional and world situation.
The visit, the first trip abroad by the Lao leader in his position, and also the first by a foreign leader to Vietnam in 2022, demonstrated the determination of both sides in further promoting the bilateral special ties and effectively implementing the joint statement issued last June.
Vietnam and Laos have shared a rare relationship with the loyal friendship between the two Parties, States and peoples.
In the tough situation in 2021 due to impacts from COVID-19, Vietnam and Laos once again affirmed their loyal and warm sentiments for each other, while managing to maintain their sound partnership in all fields, at all levels and through all channels.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh
review the honor guard of the Vietnam People’s Army. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
Hanoi children welcome Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
The two Prime Ministers pose for a photo. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
The talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
The two Prime Ministers launch the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity
and Friendship Year in Hanoi. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and delegates from the two countries
at the ceremony to launch the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year in Hanoi.
Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh co-chair the 44th meeting
of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation in Hanoi. Photo: Duong Giang/VNP
The two Prime Ministers witness the signing of cooperation agreements
between the two countries’ Ministries of Public Security. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
They witness the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries’ Ministries of Finance. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh witness the signing
of cooperation documents between the two countries’ Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
The two leaders witness the signing of cooperation documents between
the two countries’ Ministries of Industry and Trade. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
They witness the siging of cooperation documents between
the two countries’ Ministries of Education and Training. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh vowed to continue working closely together and offering mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly in ASEAN, the United Nations and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. They will maintain ASEAN’s common stance on strategic issues related to regional peace and stability, including the East Sea issue. |
They showed strong cooperation in the pandemic prevention and control. Vietnam provided Laos with support in cash, medical supplies and equipment worth over 2.2 million US dollars, while sending many medical experts to the neighbouring country to help with the fight. Ministries, sectors and localities of Vietnam also offered assistance to their Lao peers in the work. Meanwhile, Laos also offered Vietnam 300,000 US dollars for pandemic response, and Lao businesses and agencies donated about 1.4 million US dollars to Vietnamese localities.
Bilateral defence-security cooperation has been strengthened to ensure a shared border of peace and friendship.
At the same time, trade, economic and investment partnership maintained good growth even amid the pandemic. In the first 11 months of 2021, two-way trade surged 33.6 percent to 1.2 billion US dollars. Vietnamese firms are investing in 209 projects worth 5.16 billion US dollars in Laos.
Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and the Lao high-ranking delegation
pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum. Photo: Van Diep/VNA
They lay a wreath at a monument to war heroes and martyrs on Bac Son street, Hanoi. Photo: Van Diep/VNA
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has a reception for
Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh during his official visit to Vietnam. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh
and delegates pose for a photo. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc recieves Lao Prime Minister Phankham during his official visit to Vietnam. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has a meeting with
Prime Minister Phankham during his official visit to Vietnam. Photo: Doan Tan/VNA
 The meeting of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue
and Prime Minister Phankham. Photo: Doan Tan/VNA
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During the visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh launched the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year, and co-chair the 44th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation in Hanoi. |
Vietnam and Laos have also enjoyed expanding collaboration in education and training. The two Ministries of Education and Training have issued a cooperation project for the 2021-2030 period. Last year, Vietnam provided 1,220 scholarships to Lao officials and students, while receiving 60 scholarships from Laos. Currently, more than 16,600 Lao students are studying in Vietnam, doubling the figure recorded five years ago.
Localities of Vietnam and Laos, especially those along the shared border, have worked closely together, especially in infrastructure building, health care, human resources training, and security and defense.
The two countries have shown close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, especially within the ASEAN, the UN and sub-regional cooperation mechanism.
In 2022, the “Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022” will be organized with the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations and 45 years of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
This will be a good chance for both sides to educate the youth on the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Laos.
In the year, the two countries plan to continue fostering their ties in all fields, while effectively implementing their joint statement and agreements reached by senior leaders of both sides, maintaining visits and continuing to support each other at regional and international forums./.
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Addressing the joint press conference following their talks, PM Pham Minh Chinh said the two sides noted with satisfaction that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples have unceasingly been reinforced over the recent past. |
By VNA/VNP