The 38th anniversary of the National Day of Laos (December 2) was marked in Hanoi with a meeting on November 29.

Chairman of the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Organisation Vu Trong Kim voiced his pleasure at the accomplishments Laos has reaped in all fields.

The World Bank estimates the country’s gross domestic product growth this year at 8 percent, export turnover at 2 billion USD, per capital income at 1,500 USD per year, and the rate of poor households down to 16 percent.

The chairman stressed that following the success of the “Vietnam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2012”, the two countries have continued a number of cooperation projects in various spheres at all levels.

Notably, they completed the upgrading and increasing of border markers along their shared boundary, helping to ensure security and build a border of peace, friendship and cooperation for mutual development, he added.

Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Somphone Sichaleune reiterated that the countries’ time-honoured special relations are a priceless asset shared by both peoples and a decisive factor to the success of their revolutionary causes.-VNA