Vice President receives Laos-Vietnam friendship association chairman hinh anh 1Vice President of Vietnam Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA)

Vientiane (VNA) – Vice President of Vietnam Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh received Vilayvong Bouddakham, Chairman of the Laos–Vietnam Friendship Association in Vientiane on June 21 before departing for Luang Prabang.

Thinh is on her first official visit to Laos from June 19 to 22.

At the meeting, the two sides expressed their delight at the development of the long-standing friendship, special bond and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Laos which have been greatly contributed by the Laos – Vietnam and Vietnam – Laos Friendship Associations.

They both highly spoke of the success of the Vietnam – Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017, evidenced by a series of events to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties and the 40th year of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.

Thinh said she expects the two friendship associations to continue working together to educate people on the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, especially among the young generation.

She also affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam provide all means for the two associations to bridge people of the two nations and ramp up people-to-people exchange activities.

Later the same day, the Vietnamese vice president left Vientiane to visit Luang Prabang, a northern province of Laos where she met with the province’s Governor Khamkhan Chanthavisouk.

Thinh said she is impressed with the beauty of Luang Prabang, an ancient capital and tourism hub of Lao and the world’s heritage town.

Governor Khamkhan Chanthavisouk, for his part, updated his guest on Luang Prabang’s socio-economic development and expressed his gratitude towards Vietnam’s support for the province. He also hoped that the cooperation between Luang Prabang and Vietnamese localities will grow further, particularly in the field of tourism.

The Vietnamese leader reiterated that the Party and State of Vietnam will create all possible conditions, in terms of mechanism and policy, to foster partnership between localities of both sides.

She thanked the government of Luang Prabang for facilitating the Vietnamese community to live, do business and be a part of the local society; and for supporting Vietnamese enterprises to invest in the province.

She wished the province will continue making new achievements in all fields and attract more visitors to contribute to the success of the Visit Laos Year 2018. -VNA
VNA