Mr Triet asked Vietnamese businesses to help their Laos counterparts make larger profits in cooperation projects for the purpose of re-investment and sustainable development.

Addressing a welcoming ceremony at the Lao National University the same day, Mr Triet affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam maintain and build up the friendship and special solidarity with Laos, considering it an invaluable asset for future generations.

He expressed his pleasure at the effective cooperation in education and training between the two countries, particularly between the university and 12 Vietnamese universities over the years.

“Besides cooperation in economic development and Party building, educational cooperation is one of the pillars to help promote bilateral ties, said Mr Triet. “Vietnam encourages its universities and vocational and training schools to expand ties with their Lao partners to substantiate their cooperation.”

Established 12 years ago, the university now has 11 faculties with 28,000 students, including nearly 320 Vietnamese students. In 2002, the Vietnamese Government helped the university build a campus costing VND15 billion.

Earlier, President Triet and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulit cut the red ribbon to inaugurate a school for pre-departure and ethnic gifted students which was funded by the Vietnamese Government with a total cost of nearly VND46 billion.

Later in the afternoon, Mr Triet visited families of former President Kham Tay Siphandone, former advisor to the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Nuhak Phumsawan, President Kayson Phomvihane and the Memorial House of President Xuphanuvong.

He attended a ceremony to mark the first broadcast of Vietnam Television Channel 4’s programmes using Lao subtitles. He also called on the Vietnam-Laos Joint Venture Bank – a symbol of the effective economic cooperation between the two countries in recent times.