Legislative work is a focus during the talks between the Hanoi high-level delegation led by Phung Thi Hong Ha, standing Deputy Chairwoman of the Hanoi Municipal People's Council and the Vientiane People's Council on April 21.

Standing Vice Chair of the Hanoi People's Council Phung Thi Hong Ha (L) at the conference. Photos: The Hanoi Times

At the conference, Ha stressed the importance of promoting the long-standing solidarity and special friendship between the two parties, countries, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

Ha added that the visit and working session between the delegation of the Hanoi People's Council and the Vientiane People's Council was based on the protocol of the cooperation agreement signed between the two capitals for the period 2022-2025.

The purpose of the visit was to create more opportunities for mutual meetings, exchanges and sharing of experiences in the field of city people's council work, especially in drafting legal documents and making decisions on important urban issues.

Overview of the conference.

"The aim was also to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of supervision, questioning and explanation activities through the functions, tasks and powers of the People's Council," Ha said.

The discussions covered a range of areas, including the formulation and promulgation of resolutions by the Hanoi People's Council; handling citizens' complaints and denunciations; investment planning and urban development; reviewing reports and draft resolutions on socio-economic development plans; monitoring the implementation of socio-economic development plans; formulating policies on agricultural and rural development, social security, cultural development and conservation, education, and health care.  

Lamphoy Siackhachan, Vice Chairman of the Vientiane People's Council, gave an overview of the legislative body's recent activities during the exchange. He appreciated the contents and experiences shared by the committees of the Hanoi People's Council and affirmed that this valuable experience would be considered and put into practice by the Vientiane People's Council.

Standing Vice Chair of the municipal People's Council Phung Thi Hong Ha and Vice Chairwoman of the Laos National Assembly Khambay Damlat.

As part of the delegation's agenda, the Hanoi delegation also paid a courtesy visit to Anouphap Tounalom, Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Chairman of the Vientiane People's Council.

At the meeting, Ha gave an overview of Hanoi's socio-economic development situation in 2022, with all 22 socio-economic indicators fully achieved and five targets surpassing the plan.

Hanoi is also a leading place in international integration, maintaining open cooperation with many capitals and cities around the world, Ha said.

"Hanoi is committed to continuing close coordination, exchange of information and experience, and mutual assistance in all fields with the Party, the State of Laos, and Vientiane," Ha said.

Vientiane Party Chief Anouphap Tounalom highly appreciated the delegation's working trip in the context of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. 

The Hanoi delegation also met with Khambay Damlat, a member of the Party Central Committee and deputy chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly. At the meeting, Ha reiterated Hanoi's commitment to close coordination, exchange of information and experience, and cooperation for common development with Vientiane and other localities and partners in Laos.

The Vice President of the National Assembly was pleased to welcome the Hanoi delegation and affirmed that the strong feelings and solidarity between the two sides reflect the growing depth of cooperation. 

As part of the visit, the delegation also attended a conference on developing raw materials areas and linking product consumption between Hanoi and Vientiane. The delegation also attended the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the Hanoi Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Vientiane Municipal Department of Labor and Welfare.