Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association set up in Vinh Long

The target was set at the association’s first congress on April 21, during which it pledged to support cooperation activities in economy, trade, science-technology, education-training, culture, sports and tourism between organisations, individuals and businesses of the two sides.

The association will also coordinate with relevant agencies of both nations to assist expats in Laos who came from Vinh Long.

Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lu Quang Ngoi suggested that the association pay more attention to promoting people-to-people exchanges between Vinh Long and Laos, while helping bolster bilateral socio-economic partnership and connect businesses, students, labourers of the two sides. 

Since Vietnam and Laos set up bilateral ties in 1962 and signed the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 1997, the two nations have exerted great efforts to foster their friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in various fields from politics, diplomacy, economy, culture and society.

Meanwhile, Vinh Long inked a cooperation agreement on socio-economic development with Xiengkhuang province of Laos in 2011. So far, Vinh Long has donated nearly VND4.5 billion to build a kindergarten and irrigation works in Xiengkhouang. Currently, the province is hosting 18 students from Xiengkhouang province.

At the congress, a 14-member executive committee of the association for the 2017-2022 tenure was elected, with Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Council as its president.