Hanoi hosts ceremony to mark 45th National Day of Laos

During her speech at the event, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan congratulated Laos on its major and comprehensive achievements over the past 45 years, many of which have helped it to cope with various challenges, develop sustainably, improve living standards, and raise its stature globally.

The top Vietnamese legislator also attributed the Laotian Party and people’s accomplishments to the major contributions made by President Kaysone Phomvihane, “a beloved leader of the Lao Party, State, and people and also a great, close, and faithful friend of the Vietnamese Party, State, and people,” she said.

Alongside with President Ho Chi Minh and President Souphanouvong, President Phomvihane has put in place a solid foundation and wholeheartedly nurtured mutual ties between the two nations, therefore turning bilateral ties into a special role model in terms of international relations.

The NA leader went on to stress that both sides have spared no effort in boosting co-operation across a variety of fields, from politics, diplomacy, security, defence, economy, education, science-technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

These efforts have greatly helped to safeguard sovereignty and territory, boost socio-economic development, and raise the profile of both countries in the international arena, NA Chairman Ngan said. She also reiterating that the Party, State, NA, Government, and Vietnamese people treasure and place the highest priority on the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive co-operation that exists with Laos.

Despite the volatile global and regional situation, the bond between the two nations never changes and remains deep in the hearts of the citizens of each country, she affirmed.

The NA Chairman also thanked Laos for co-operating closely with and supporting the country to fulfill its role as Chair of ASEAN and Chair of the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2020.

In response, Ambassador Sengphet Houngboungnuang said the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive co-operation are priceless assets that are fully embraced by both peoples.

He also acknowledged the Vietnamese Party, State, and people’s wholehearted assistance to his country during previous struggles for national liberation, as well as the current process of national construction and defence.

Since its reform policy began in 1986, Laos has been able to maintain political stability and relatively rapid economic growth. Indeed, living standards have increasingly improved, with per-capita income topping US$2,700 this year. In addition, external relations have also been expanded, while foreign investment in the neighbouring country has also been on the rise, he said.

The Laotian diplomat also offered his sympathies over the huge losses caused by recent natural disasters in the nation’s central and Central Highlands regions. He also thanked the Vietnamese Government for donating 1,000 tonnes of rice to help Laotian people, especially those in Savannakhet province, resolve the consequences of recent devastating floods.