Hanoi and Vientiane have always cherished their traditional friendship and have been making continuous efforts to enhance comprehensive cooperation between the two capitals through various channels and sectors with numerous practical projects.

Overview of the meeting.

The view was shared during a meeting between Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung and his Vientiane counterpart Anouphap Tounalom today [March 11]. Dung is currently on a working trip to Laos from March 11-12.

At the meeting, both leaders hailed the results of the cooperation between the two cities in recent times. They affirmed that the current high-level delegation visit from Hanoi to Vientiane is a continuation of the vibrant cooperation between the two cities since April 2022.

In line with the comprehensive nature of cooperation between Hanoi and Vientiane, they shared the view that the two capitals continuously uphold the fraternal and comradely traditions between their parties, governments, and people.

In this regard, the two cities have made incessant efforts to develop bilateral cooperation across all channels and sectors with numerous practical projects. The cooperation agreement signed between the two parties for the 2022-2025 period has paved the way for various joint activities, fostering multi-sectoral partnerships between the two localities.

Over the past two years (2022-2023), both capitals have organized high-level delegations for mutual visits and work. Several specialized agreements have been signed between relevant agencies in areas such as economics, investment, agriculture, healthcare, education, and people-to-people exchanges. These efforts lay the groundwork for the dynamic exchange of specialized delegations.

The leaders underlined the depth of cooperation between Hanoi and Vientiane, emphasizing the profound bonds existing at the grassroots level among the people. They also acknowledged the successful implementation of various forms of new technical cooperation, including forums on party building and political system development, investment and trade cooperation, and joint participation in fairs, festivals, and tourism events.

Hanoi Party Chief Dinh Tien Dung (left) presents documents on the Party building to his Vientiane counterpart Anouphap Tounalom.

In particular, the construction of the headquarters of the Justice Department and the Public Prosecutor's Office in Vientiane, funded by Hanoi, was completed in just over a year. This project serves as a symbolic achievement of the friendly relations between the two cities during the 2022-2025 period.

“The results of the cooperation between Hanoi and Vientiane continue to be a vivid testimony to the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, particularly in the local cooperation aspect,” said Hanoi Party Chief Dinh Tien Dung.

In a spirit of mutual trust and camaraderie, the leaders of both capitals shared the outcomes of their socio-economic development goals over the years and exchanged valuable experiences in building and advancing their respective political systems.

Delegates from both sides.

In the direction of future cooperation, Dung announced that  Hanoi and Vientiane will jointly organize a bilateral Tourism Promotion Program in response to Laos' National Tourism Year 2024. Additionally, Hanoi is willing to support Vientiane in developing high-quality human resources by offering scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, as well as providing training for senior officials and facilitating Lao artisans to study and intern in Hanoi's craft villages, he noted.

Emphasizing the significance of the traditional relationship between Vietnam and Laos forged during the struggle for independence, the leaders of both capitals pledge to continue building their ties based on the foundation of the two parties and the two states' solidarity. They pledged to further strengthen cooperation, overcome challenges, and steadfastly pursue the goals of national independence and socialism. The enduring and special friendship and all-round cooperation between Vietnam and Laos are expected to serve as a model for local-level cooperation between Hanoi and Vientiane.

At the meeting, Dung extended his invitation to Vientiane's Party Secretary Anouphap Tounalom and his delegation to visit Hanoi at an appropriate time, which the host delightfully accepted.