Vietnam, Laos enhance cooperation in ethnic affairs hinh anh 1At the working session between the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Ethnic Affairs and the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (Photo: VNA)

Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnam and Laos have agreed to boost cooperation in ethnic affairs, including training, building and implementing related policies, and increasing cultural exchanges between ethnic groups along the shared border line.

The agreement was reached at the talks in Vientiane on April 25 between Deputy Minister-Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Ethnic Affairs Hoang Thi Hanh and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction Yiakeuya Nochochongtua.

The two sides agreed to work together to increase communications among ethnic people living along the shared border so that they do not participate in negative activities such as human and drug trafficking, free migration, and unregistered marriage.

They consented to join hands in publishing a bilingual magazine to popularize the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, as well as encouraging ethnic minorities in the shared border areas to preserve and promote good cultural values.

The two sides pledged to jointly organise seminars for ethnic affairs officials to share experience and art programmes praising the bilateral friendship.

During their working visit to Laos from April 24-28, the Vietnamese delegation paid a courtesy visit to leaders of the Lao Ministry of Home Affairs and the Lao National Assembly’s Committee for Ethnic Affairs, and visited the Embassy of Vietnam in Laos. They are also scheduled to visit the northern province of Luangphrabang.-VNA
VNA