Grand meeting marks Laos’ National Day

Hanoi (VNA) - A grand meeting was held in Hanoi on December 2 to celebrate Laos’40th National Day and the 95th birthday of late President Kaysone Phomvihane.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung congratulated the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and Lao people on their achievements over the past four decades.

He said he believes that the LPRP will continue leading the Lao people to successfully implement the national construction and protection and firmly advance to socialism.

The top legislator expressed his deep gratitude to President Kaysone Phomvihance for his significant contributions to building and nurturing the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane said from a backward and agriculture-dominated economy, Laos has incessantly devolved after 30 years of “Doi Moi” (reform) to record an annual economic growth of 7-8 percent.

The per capita income is expected to reach nearly 1,800 USD in 2015 and the rate of poor households is forecast to drop to 6.5 percent, he said, adding that Laos has so far this year greeted over 4 million foreign tourists thanks to stable politics.

Laos is preparing for the socio-economic development plan between 2016 and 2020, focusing on industrialisation, modernisation, and active international integration to raise the country’s position in the region and beyond, the ambassador said.

The time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, which was founded by late Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Ho Chi Minh, have become an invaluable asset of the two nations, he added.

Over the past four decades, that relationship has been thriving across the fields despite complicated and unpredictable developments in the region and the world, he noted.

The diplomat also applauded Vietnam’s remarkable achievements after nearly 30 years of reform, saying the role and position of the country have been regionally and globally raised.

He took this occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their support and assistance given to Laos in the past as well as at present.

Visitors to the meeting were also treated to a special art performance featuring the unique culture of Vietnamese and Lao ethnic groups.-VNA