A section of the road from border maker No 790 to the Phoukeua international border gate in Laos’s Attapeu province, built with financial assistance from Vietnam, was opened to traffic on July 5, contributing to further fostering links between the two country.

The project’s cost totals 50 billion VND (2.35 million USD) and is financed with non-refundable aid from the Vietnamese Government. The 347-m section comprises of a reinforced concrete bridge and other technical items.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke highly of efforts made by the two countries’ authorities in implementing the project.

He stressed that although the road is not long, it will serve as a gateway into Vietnam from Road 18B – a vital road connecting Laos’s southern provinces with Vietnam’s Central Highland region and central localities.

It will also play a main role in bolstering cooperation among localities in the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia development triangle, Phuc added.

On behalf of the Lao Government, Deputy Prime Minister Somsavad Lengsavath thanked the Vietnamese Party and Government for their great support to the project, which will contribute importantly to promoting his country’s socio-economic development in the future.

Vietnam’s aid helps further tighten the friendship and special solidarity between the two countries, he stressed.-VNA