At a press conference in Hanoi on April 20, Tran Van Hang, Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations, said the event marks the 2012 Vietnam - Laos Friendship Year, 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and 35 years since they signed the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

The conference will be co-chaired by the Vietnamese NA Chairman, Nguyen Sinh Hung, and the Lao NA Chairwoman, Pany Yathotou.

It will provide a good opportunity for the two countries’ legislative bodies, departments and border provinces to boost comprehensive cooperation.

A photo exhibition on Vietnam-Lao relations,  a groundbreaking ceremony of the historical site on Vietnam-Lao revolution, a cultural exchange programme and a business forum will all be held as part of the event.

As many as 400 delegates and 170 media workers have registered to attend the conference.