• Celebrating Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year 
• Promoting trade and investment in Laos

At the meeting, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Thanh Hai affirmed that the special ties of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos originally established by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Cayson Phomvihan, are a valuable asset for both nations.

The relationship has stood the test of time and developed strongly over the years to become a tremendous strength, which has contributed to glorious victories for the Vietnamese and Lao revolutions in the cause of national construction and defence, he noted.

On the occasion, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith presented second class Freedom Orders to the HCM City People’s Committee, People’s Council, Chairman of the People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan, and Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Dua, as well as the Friendship Order to the municipal Department of External Affairs.

Exhibitions opened earlier at the Youth Cultural House and Chi Lang Park, featuring more than 190 photographs and valuable documents illustrating the special bilateral ties between the two countries, particularly between Ho Chi Minh City, and Vientiane and Champasak province.

On the same day, former President Nguyen Minh Triet received a delegation from Laos led by Deputy PM Thongloun Sisoulith.

Triet praised the achievements Laos has made over the past 50 years and the rapid development of Vientiane and Champasak, which play an important part in the country’s national economic development.

He affirmed that HCM City, Vientiane and Champasak are leaders in strengthening ties between the two countries, and that HCM City promotes cooperation with Lao localities.

The former State President also said he hopes that HCM City, in its role as the country’s largest economic hub, will continue to support Lao localities in the future.

Deputy PM Sisoulith praised Triet’s contributions to fostering bilateral ties and said that the young generations of both countries must be responsible for further strengthening the bilateral relationship.