Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith (left) escorts his Vietnamese counterpart, President Luong Cuong, to inspect a guard of honour at the Presidential Office. - Vientiane Times/ANN
VIENTIANE: A formal and dignified welcome ceremony took place in Vientiane on Thursday (April 24) to mark the start of a two-day state visit on April 24-25 by the President of Vietnam.
President Luong Cuong is visiting Laos at the invitation of the Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, with the aim of further enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
Upon his arrival at Wattay International Airport, the Vietnamese President was warmly welcomed by Minister and Head of Office of the Presidential Office, Khemmani Pholsena, together with senior government officials from Laos and Vietnam.
President Luong Cuong was then accompanied by President Thongloun to inspect a guard of honour at the Presidential Office.
Following the ceremony, the two leaders met for talks, with President Thongloun offering a warm welcome and congratulating his Vietnamese counterpart on his election as the President of Vietnam.
He expressed deep appreciation for the visit by President Luong Cuong, who is making his first visit to Laos in his role as head of state.
President Thongloun said the visit was a significant contribution to deepening the great friendship, special solidarity, and multifaceted cooperation between the parties, governments, and peoples of Laos and Vietnam.
The two Presidents held candid and fraternal discussions, exchanging views on socio-economic developments in their respective countries and commending the successes achieved by both nations.
They reviewed past cooperation and outlined strategic priorities for the future, agreeing that bilateral relations have continued to grow robustly across all sectors over the past year, including political cooperation, defence, and foreign affairs, as well as economic and trade ties.
Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith (right), on Thursday welcomes the President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong. - Photo: Vientiane Times/ANN
Other fields of cooperation include technology, education, health, culture, sports, tourism, mass organisations, and people-to-people links.
The two leaders emphasised the importance of fulfilling high-level agreements and strategic joint projects, particularly those boosting economic connectivity to support regional integration and future growth.
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
President Thongloun thanked Vietnam for its profound solidarity with Laos following the passing of former President Khamtay Siphandone, a revered revolutionary leader and close friend of Vietnam.
He also acknowledged Vietnam’s invaluable assistance in Laos’ long struggle for liberation and current nation-building efforts.
The Vietnamese President expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to him and reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to deepening the “great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation” between the two nations.
Subsequently, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of three key documents, namely a Letter of Intent on Vietnam’s assistance in building the headquarters of Laos’ Border Military Command, a 2025 Cooperation Plan between the two countries’ Ministries of Justice, and a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Attapeu province and Gia Lai province in Vietnam from 2025-2030.
The two leaders also witnessed the handover of an amended investment licence to Xekhaman 3 Hydropower Company Limited.
President Luong Cuong is also scheduled to meet the President of the National Assembly, Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, and other Lao government leaders.
In addition, the Vietnamese delegation will attend a Laos–Vietnam friendship gathering, pay tribute to former Lao leaders, lay a wreath at the Unknown Soldiers Monument, tour the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, and visit the President Souphanouvong Memorial.
The visit by the Vietnamese President reaffirms the unwavering commitment of both nations to strengthen their enduring partnership and foster mutual development and prosperity. - Vientiane Times/ANN
