Gov’t leader meets with chief of Lao army’s general staff
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Hanoi on May 14 for Sen. Lt. Gen. Suvon Luongbunmi, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army, who is on an official visit to Vietnam.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) presents a gift to Sen. Lt. Gen. Suvon Luongbunmi, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army, at their meeting on May 14 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosteda reception in Hanoi on May 14 for Sen. Lt. Gen. Suvon Luongbunmi, DeputyDefence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army, whois on an official visit to Vietnam.
PM Phuc highlighted the profound relationshipbetween the two Parties, States, armies and peoples, noting that throughouthistory, the Vietnamese army and people have always stood side by side withtheir Lao counterparts in all circumstances.
Sen. Lt. Gen. Luongbunmi briefed his host aboutthe outcomes of his talks with Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Deputy DefenceMinister and Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army.
The two sides reviewed cooperation in 2017 anddiscussed concrete cooperation orientations for this year and the time ahead,he said, elaborating that the two defence ministries worked together in allaspects last year. Notably, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence hasactively helped the Lao army to build forces, thus greatly contributing to thesocio-economic development of Laos.
The two sides have also carried out a number ofjoint activities to improve living standards of residents in their countries’border areas, which has been strongly supported by Vietnamese and Lao people,he noted.
In the coming time, they will increasecollaboration in personnel training and building the Vietnam-Laos boundary intoa border of stability and comprehensive development, the officer said.
Applauding the two defence ministries’cooperation, PM Phuc asked them to enhance connections to help intensify thecountries’ friendship.
Meanwhile, he said, as Vietnam and Laos share along borderline which mainly traverses mountainous and disadvantaged areas, thecountries should step up joint activities between their armies and securityforces to maintain peace, security, order and friendship along the border.
Aside from efforts to improve border residents’living standards, the two armies also need to bolster ties in the fight againsthuman trafficking and drug crimes, as well as in personnel training, he added.
The PM voiced his belief that the finerelationship between the armies will fortify the trust and all-round cooperationbetween the two Parties, States, and peoples while ensuring peace, stabilityand political security for each country’s development.-VNA
Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith and Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith hosted separate receptions in Vientiane on April 24 for a high-level delegation from the National Assembly of Vietnam led by Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.
Vietnam shared experiences with Laos in casting votes of confidence on persons holding positions elected or ratified by the National Assembly or the provincial People’s Councils at a seminar in Vientiane on April 24.
A project on training cooperation between Vietnam’s FPT University and Sengsavath College of Laos was launched in Vientiane on May 8, marking the first education cooperation scheme in the private sector between the two countries.
A military funeral was held by the authorities of central Thua Thien – Hue province on May 11 to rebury remains of 11 Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who died on duty in Laos during the wartime.
Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Laos People’s Army Sen. Lieut. Gen. Suvon Luongbunmi is paying an official visit to Vietnam from May 13-17 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang.
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
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.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) presents a gift to Sen. Lt. Gen. Suvon Luongbunmi, Deputy Defence Minister and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army, at their meeting on May 14 (Photo: VNA) 
