Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Committee Le Thanh Hai paid a courtesy visit to Laos’ National Assembly Chairwoman Pani Zathotou on June 28, during his visit to attend the “HCM City Days in Vientiane”.

At their meeting, the Lao NA leader said she was impressed with the ‘HCM City Days’ in Vientiane and congratulated Vietnam over the achievements it has made over the past years.

After expressing thanks for Vietnam ’s support for Laos , Pani Zathotou said that the Lao Party, Government, National Assembly and people will do their utmost to foster the two countries’ relationship.

She said she hopes that HCM City and Vientiane will continue to strengthen cooperation to make themselves stronger in the future.

For his part, Hai said that HCM City always pays special attention to boosting cooperation with Laos in all aspects, thus promoting the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos .

Earlier on June 27, Hai held talks with the Secretary of the Party Committee and Mayor of Vientiane Soukan Mahalath in Vientiane to discuss ways of boosting bilateral ties.

At their talks, the two leaders expressed their pleasure at the recent developments in HCM City-Vientiane cooperation and the regular exchange of delegations.

Regarding cooperation in education, HCM City is now home to over 100 Vientiane students. The upgrading of the Vientiane-HCM City Friendship High School , a gift from the HCM City people to Vientiane to mark the 450 th anniversary of its founding, reflects the determination both share to train up human resources for the future.

Several other joint activities such as providing free medical check-ups and medicines for poor people, holding training courses on agricultural technical transfers and presenting gifts to families in difficulties have all helped to increase the mutual understanding between the two cities.

In the future, both will pay more attention to businesses, by organising trade fairs, updating information on projects calling for investment and creating better conditions for businesses to boost investment cooperation.

Later the same day, a seminar to promote HCM City ’s investment and tourism in Vientiane opened in the Laotian capital. On behalf of President Truong Tan Sang, the HCM City Party Committee’s Secretary presented Vietnam ’s State’s orders and medals to several Laotian agencies and individuals.-VNA