Vietnam has played a big part in Laos’ initial success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic, Laos Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang has stated.

Secretary of Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Laos Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang (L). Photo: Thanh Hai.

“Not only financial means, Vietnam has also sent medical equipment and expertise to help Laos in the fight against the pandemic,” Houngboungnuang said at the meeting with Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue on June 18, adding there was frequent communication between the two health ministries to ensure efficient measures are implemented.

Data from Worldometers showed as of present, Laos has confirmed 19 Covid-19 infection cases and no deaths. So far, all cases have fully recovered and exited hospitals.

As Vietnam has also put the pandemic under control, the ambassador highly regarded the local authorities’ efforts to protect its citizens' well-being.

“Vietnam has always been a reliable friend of Laos, in this context, Hanoi is instrumental in facilitating the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as the relations between Hanoi and Vientiane”, the ambassador stressed.

Vietnam played a big part in Laos initial success of containing the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Thanh Hai.

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Vuong Dinh Hue said the Vietnam – Lao friendship relations remain unique, which lays a strong foundation for Hanoi to cooperate with the Lao capital city of Vientiane and other localities.

Despite making up only 1% of the country’s land and 8.5% of the population, Hanoi contributes 18% to the country's budget revenue and 16% of GDP annually. With an economic size of around US$45 billion, the city’s GRDP per capita is nearly US$5,200.

In the previous four years, Hanoi had maintained an average economic growth rate of 7.5% per year, and was at the top of the country in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction.

Moreover, the country has improved significantly and stayed in the top 10 of Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index (CPI) and second in the Public Administrative Reform Index (PAR Index) rankings. 

Hue said while the Covid-19 crisis has caused severe economic impacts on many countries around the world, including Vietnam, Hanoi has managed to grow its economy by 3.4% in the first six months, among the highest rates nationwide.

This year, Hanoi targets an economic growth at 1.3 times higher than the national average and state budget revenue of VND280 trillion (US$12 billion).

Among measures to boost economic recovery, Hanoi has been focusing on the development of industry and construction sectors, agriculture, domestic tourism, along with sectors having advantages during the Covid-19 crisis, such as IT, public online services, production of medical equipment, among others.

“Since the beginning of the year, Hanoi has been giving high priority to addressing businesses' concerns for greater domestic and foreign investment,” Hue informed.

For Hanoi’s upcoming investment promotion conference on June 27, Hue expected this would be an opportunity for Vietnam and Lao enterprises to look for investment opportunities.

“Hanoi would continue to ensure further development of the unique relations between Vietnam and Laos, as well as between Hanoi and Vientiane,” Hue stressed.