Nguyen Loc Ha, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; Maythong Thammavongsa, Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and representatives of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the opening ceremony.

In his speech, Nguyen Loc Ha said the programme, organised by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fulbright University Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, is a meaningful initiative that opens a high-level policy dialogue forum. It brings together Lao policymakers and senior officials with leading experts and scholars from Fulbright University Vietnam to discuss issues relevant to Laos’ socio-economic development.

He expressed confidence that through in-depth discussions, substantive exchanges and field visits, Lao officials will gain diverse perspectives and useful reference information, supporting the formulation of specific policies to realise the strategic goals set by the Lao Party and State at the 12th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

The programme is also a practical step to further strengthen the “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion” between Vietnam and Laos. It reflects Ho Chi Minh City’s role, as a leading economic, financial and innovation centre, in connecting and augmenting cooperation, and its readiness to accompany Lao localities in socio-economic development and national construction.

Maythong Thammavongsa, Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, thanked the Government of Vietnam and Fulbright University Vietnam for organising the short-term training programme for Lao senior officials.

 He said the programme’s content is both practical and urgent for Laos’ future development, especially as the regional and global situation continues to see complex and unpredictable changes. The programme demonstrates the close friendship between Laos and Vietnam in developing high-quality human resources, helping to further strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and special strategic partnership between the two countries.

He also congratulated Vietnam on its achievements across various fields, particularly in economic development, improving people’s living standards and enhancing its international standing. These achievements, he said, provide valuable lessons and an important source of motivation for Laos in building and developing a prosperous country. The programme’s focus on areas such as financial and budget management and digital industrial development will help broaden perspectives and strengthen the capacity of Lao officials in leadership and policy implementation.

The program is being held from March 23 to 28 in Ho Chi Minh City and several other localities in Vietnam, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Fulbright University Vietnam.

The programme is designed as a high-level policy dialogue forum for Lao policymakers, senior managers and business leaders. Based on analysis of Laos’ socio-economic conditions in the international context and reference to reform experience in the region, particularly Vietnam, it aims to turn the strategic goals set at the 12th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in January 2026 into feasible and effective policy options and action programmes.

9th Vietnam Executive Leadership Programme practical, useful for Vietnam: Deputy PM

The 9th Vietnam Executive Leadership Programme (VELP) in the US, featuring 10 open and frank panel discussions, has been practical and beneficial for various ministries, agencies, localities, and enterprises in Vietnam, according to Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai.