A ceremony was held on November 29 in Ho Chi Minh City to mark the 38 th anniversary of the National Day of Laos (December 2).

Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association in the city, Phan Xuan Bien, reviewed the outcomes of ties between the two Parties, States and peoples, as well as the cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Lao provinces during the past years.

He emphasised that this localised cooperation had been successful in a wide range of fields from trade, industry and agriculture to healthcare, education and human resources training.

Over the past years, the friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation shared by both countries have developed in all areas, he said.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Laos hit 733.5 million USD in the first nine months of this year, up 11.6 percent year on year.

Vietnam ’s export turnover to Laos reached 339.1 million USD, while Laos earned 394.4 million USD from exports to Vietnam .

Vietnam has been the leading investor in Laos with 435 projects so far, totalling 5.2 billion USD.

Meanwhile, the country is hosting 5,000 Lao officials and students who are studying in Vietnamese universities. In 2013, Ho Chi Minh City granted scholarships to 39 Laos students, increasing the number in the city to 600.

Speaking at the event, Southideth Phommalat, Lao Consul General in the city, held that the precious help given by the Party, State and people of Vietnam has played an important role in achievements that Laos has gained during its national construction and defence.

He also highly valued the practical contributions of Ho Chi Minh City to the facilitation of the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. -VNA