Following activities during the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year 2012 celebration, from June 18 to 20, 2012, Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan led a Vietnamese high-ranking delegation to pay an official visit to Laos.
During her stay in Laos, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan had talks with Party General Secretary, Lao State President Choummaly Sayasone, Prime Minister Thoongsinh Thammavong, Lao National Assembly Chairman Pani Zahthotou and had meetings with Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association Phankham Viphavan.
 Lao Vice President Bounnhang Volachith receives his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Thi Doan.  The talk between the two sides.  Lao State President Choummaly Sayasone receives Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.  Lao Prime Minister Minister Thoongsinh Thammavong meets with Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.  Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pani Zahthotou talks with Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.  Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan meets with Chairman of the Vietnam-Lao Friendship Association Phankham Viphavan. |
During their discussions, the two sides were pleased when the relations between the two parties, states, governments and peoples continue to develop effectively. They agreed to closely coordinate activities to celebrate the Vietnam-Lao Friendship Year 2012 with the aim of educating the peoples, particularly the young generations of the two countries about the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, turning the year 2012 into a historical imprint of the faithful relationship between the two countries.
Vice State President Doan and her Lao counterpart Bounnhang Volachith agreed that the special relationship has been growing in all aspects, including politics, national defence-security, economics-trade-investment, education and training. The economic-commercial cooperation and investment between the two countries in recent years has seen great changes. At present, Vietnam is the leading investor in Laos with over 3.57 billion USD. The two-way trade turnover continues to soar at 30-40% overage each year. The two sides hoped to bring the two-way trade turnover to 2 billion USD in 2015.
In terms of international issues, Vietnam affirmed to support Laos to soon join the World Trade Organization, host the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9) and the 7th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP 7) by the end of this year. Laos affirmed to work closely with other countries in sustainable use of the Mekong River as a water resource with special attention to environmental impact.
 Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan lays a wreath at the unknown martyrs monument.  Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan visits the Long Thanh-Vientiane Special Economic Zone.  Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan visits the Embassy of Vietnam in Laos. |
On this occasion, Vice President Doan met with former Politburo member cum Former President of the Lao Front for National Construction Sisavath Keobounphanh and visited the Long Thanh-Vientiane Special Economic Zone and other cultural places in Vientiane.
By Hoang Chuong
