Cooperation in planning, investment helps boost Laos-Vietnam ties: Lao minister
Results of cooperation between the Ministries of Planning and Investment, as well as the Cooperation Committees of Laos and Vietnam in recent years have made important contributions to the development of the two countries’ relations, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongxa said on May 13.
Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongxa (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) - Results of cooperation between the Ministries ofPlanning and Investment, as well as the Cooperation Committees of Laos andVietnam in recent years have made important contributions to the development ofthe two countries’ relations, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment KhamjaneVongxa said on May 13.
In an interview granted to the media of both countries,Minister Khamjane stated that 2022 is a year of great historical significancewhen the Lao Party, army and people are coordinating with the Vietnamese sides incarrying out many practical activities to celebrate the Laos-Vietnam Friendshipand Solidarity Year marking 60 years of the establishment of diplomaticrelations and 45 years of the signing of the Treaty on Amity and Cooperationbetween the two countries.
In 2021, despite complicated developments of the regional andworld situations, the bilateral great friendship, special solidarity andcomprehensive cooperation were enhanced.
This year, the two sides continue to strengthen and improvethe effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms; implement joint statements, bilateralcooperation agreements and documents as well as the outcomes of visits and meetingsbetween their leaders in appropriate forms; coordinate and effectively organiseactivities on the occasion of the Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022; and payattention to preventing drug, human trafficking and smuggling crimes andillegal exploitation of natural resources, he said.
Regarding economic cooperation, the minister stated that Vietnamhas to date invested in 417 projects worth 4.3 billion USD, ranking third outof 54 nations and territories pouring capital in Laos.
Last year, two-way trade hit 1.37 billion USD, up 33.3 percentyear-on-year. They are striving to increase the turnover to 10-15 percent thisyear.
The two countries are also making efforts to promoteconnectivity between the two economies, including hard and soft infrastructure,especially road, railway, airport and seaport projects such as Nongkhang airport,Vung Ang 1,2,3 wharves, Laos-Vietnam railway and Hanoi-Vientiane expressway./.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue will lead a high-level delegation of the legislature to make an official visit to Laos from May 15-17, the NA’s Committee for External Relations announced on May 12.
PathetLao Daily, a publication of the Lao News Agency, ran an article on May 13 about the upcoming visit by Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, saying the trip reflects the Vietnamese Party and State’s respect for the ties and special political trust with Laos.
Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue will lead a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam to pay an official visit to Laos on May 15-17 at the invitation of his Lao counterpart Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongxa (Photo: VNA) 
