Top Lao legislator begins official visit to Vietnam

This is the first overseas trip by Saysomphone Phomvihane in his capacity as NA Chairman of Laos, and also the first in-person visit by a foreign parliament leader to Vietnam from the beginning of its 15th tenure.

Vietnam and Laos have enjoyed a close-knit relationship and time-honoured friendship for years. In July 1962, both nations consented to set up bilateral diplomatic ties, marking a new milestone in their relations.

During Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Laos in February 2019, the two sides agreed to take the traditional relationship to new heights, with bilateral cooperation becoming more diverse, and incessantly being strengthened.

Regarding economic cooperation, Vietnam is now one of the top three investors in Laos. To enhance the mutual support, Laos and Vietnam are currently speeding up economic and transport connectivity projects, while cooperation in education and training remains a priority area.

To help the neighbouring country boost sustainable development, Vietnam has been providing assistance to Lao in key projects on  building schools, hospitals and roads. A typical case in point is that on August 10, 2021, Vietnam officially handed to Laos the new office of its National Assembly after four years of construction.

Despite suffering the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, closer cooperation between the two countries' NAs have been maintained and increasingly practical in recent times.

Vietnam was the first to send a special flight transporting medical equipment and senior experts to help Laos combat the second wave of the COVID-19.

Furthermore the relations between the two legislative bodies have been continuing to be solidified which have made significant contributions to the comprehensive relationship between the two nations.

During the visit, the two sides will continue to fast-track the implementation of the agreement on the cooperation between the two law-making bodies, compare notes on orientations and measures to step up cooperation between the two in the time ahead, and share experience in performing the functions of the NAs in the fields of making laws, supervising and deciding on important issues of both countries.

The official Vietnam visit of Lao NA Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane and his entourage not only reaffirms the consistent closeness of the great friendship, the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, but also shows that the close-kit relationship between the two legislatures has been continuing to be consolidated and prove more effective.