A delegation of Hanoi led by the Standing Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council, Phung Thi Hong Ha, wrapped up the successful trip to Laos with a visit to the Consulate General of Vietnam in northern Laos and a meeting with the Government of Luang Prabang Province on April 23 and 24.

Hanoi's high-ranking delegation visits the Consulate General of Vietnam in Northern Laos. Photos: The Hanoi Times

Ha expressed her gratitude for the active support of the Consul General and officials of the Consulate General of Vietnam in northern Laos during the trip.

In talks with Lao authorities, Ha affirmed that Hanoi and Luang Prabang Province had achieved positive results in their cooperation over the years. Examples of notable friendship projects include the Luang Prabang Provincial School of Administration and Politics and the Hung Vuong Primary School.

The agricultural sector has also been an area of fruitful cooperation between the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Luang Prabang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the exchange of delegations between the two localities in recent years, Hanoi has always valued and supported cooperative activities with Luang Prabang Province, Ha said.

The delegation during a meeting with the Government of Luang Prabang Province.

Through the Consulate General of Vietnam in northern Laos, Hanoi has also provided university scholarships to students, scholars, and children of officials from northern Laos and Luang Prabang Province in particular, she added.

Ha noted Hanoi would carefully study these proposals and is willing to coordinate with Luang Prabang Province to establish cooperation mechanisms between investment, trade, and business management agencies from both sides.

Meanwhile, Hanoi has also proposed priority areas for future cooperation, including strengthening the exchange of delegations at all levels, promoting cooperation in tourism, and exchanging experience in preserving historical relics and ancient architectural sites. Hanoi also aims to expand cooperation in various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, education and health.

The delegation visits craft villages in Luang Prabang.

During these meetings, Ha expressed her wish for continued effective cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, as well as between Hanoi and Luang Prabang, based on the special friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

For his part, Deputy Secretary and Chairman of the Luang Phra Vongsanvane People's Council Thepphachanh briefed on the socio-economic development situation of the province and the overall development of northern Laos.

He emphasized that Luang Prabang focuses on agricultural production combined with tourism services as a leading economic development potential. The province is also actively developing agriculture and livestock and building hydropower plants. Vongsanvane expressed a strong desire for extensive cooperation with Hanoi in various areas of development.

As part of the working trip, the delegation surveyed various handicraft villages in Luang Prabang Province, including those specializing in handmade paper, cloth weaving, and handicrafts.

After visits to the Vietnamese Consulate General in Northern Laos and productive meetings with Luang Prabang Province, the delegation concluded its visit successfully, promoting Hanoi's overseas activities and strengthening friendly relations between Vietnam and Laos.