The Ho Chi Minh Institute of Politics and Administration (HIPA) began a course in political theory for 20 senior Lao officials in Hanoi on August 14.

Addressing the opening ceremony, HIPA’s Director, Professor Ta Ngoc Tan, said that the renewal, industrialisation, modernisation and international integration process has opened up both opportunities and challenges for Vietnam and Laos .

The present context requires both Parties to have leaders and managers who have a firm political stance and the necessary virtues and capacity, he added.

Tan said he believed that after graduating, the Lao Party and State officials will apply what they have learnt and that they will continue to act as a bridge to help consolidate and develop the special solidarity between the Parties, States and peoples of both countries.

During the five-month course, the Lao officials will be familiarised with Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts.

Apart from research on the Vietnamese Party’s leadership and Party and State building, several international issues will also be included in the course.-VNA