The people's councils of Hanoi and Vientiane today (December 12) inked a cooperation agreement for the period from 2023 to 2025.

Hanoi People's Council Vice Chairwoman Phung Thi Hong Ha (right) and her Lao counterpart Lamphoy Siakkhachanh at the December 12 meeting. Photo: Tu Anh/The Hanoi Times

Under the agreement, the two councils will increase the exchange of visits by their senior officials to strengthen decentralized relations.

Hanoi and Vientiane will share their practices and experiences in legislative work and help each other improve their supervision of local government operations.

Hanoi authorities will organize short-term training courses for Vientiane lawmakers and help Lao partners improve their performance at the local level.

Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee Phung Thi Hong Ha said that improving foreign relations with other cities and capitals is a top priority for Hanoi.

Based on the friendship and cooperation between the two nations and two parties, Hanoi has put Lao partners, especially Vientiane, at the top of its priority list, she said.

To strengthen decentralized relations between Hanoi and Vientiane, Ha recommended that the two capitals increase the number of high-level meetings and conferences, assist each other in training officials, develop new channels for updating information, and share practices in legislative work.

For her part, Lamphoy Siakkhachanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Vientiane People's Council, congratulated Hanoi on the city's recent achievements in socio-economic growth.

The Lao legislator looked forward to continued technical assistance from Hanoi in evaluating and supervising the implementation of major projects, drafting resolutions and other legal policies.

Hanoi People’s Council  Vice Chairwoman Ha echoed similar sentiments, saying the meeting was a good opportunity for the two sides to discuss their concerns and expectations to improve their mutual performance.

At the meeting, delegations from the Hanoi and Vientiane People's Councils discussed policy formulation, supervision of large-scale projects, socio-economic development activities and operation of district-level People's Councils.

The two People's Councils will make more efforts to improve their relations and activities to achieve higher results, confident that there will be new opportunities for further cooperation.