Hanoi (VNA) – Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse,alongside a high-ranking delegation from the Lao government, begin an officialvisit to Vietnam from October 1.

The three-day visit is made at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc.
 
Vietnam and Laos have enjoyed a traditional friendship, special solidarity andthriving partnership in all fields.

Over the past years, political ties between the two countries have beenexpanded with stronger trust, playing the key role in bilateral relations. Thetwo sides have held regular meetings and delegation exchanges in all channels.

The bilateral partnership in defence, security and external affairs hasimproved with the close coordination in ensuring political stability, defenceand security in each country and building a shared border of peace, stabilityand development.

Vietnam and Laos have regularly exchanged viewpoints on regional andinternational issues, while coordinating with and supporting each other atmultilateral cooperation forums, especially within the framework of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations.

Cooperation in economy, culture, education-training and science-technology hasalso developed.

By December 2018, Vietnam has invested in 409 projects worth 4.1 billion USD inLaos, mostly in hydropower, mining, industrial plant growing and services.Among the completed and operating projects are Xekaman 1 hydropower plant,Muong Thanh Vientiane Hotel, Crown Plaza and Viettel Laos.

The two sides have implemented a new bilateral trade agreement, a border tradedeal and a revised protocol on goods transit, among others, while launching the“one door-one stop” at Lao Bao-Densavanh border gate.

Last year, two-way trade between thetwo countries was valued at about 1 billion USD. Vietnam imported beverages,wood, mineral products and agricultural products from Laos, while exporting oiland gas, fertiliser, steel, machines, electric equipment, constructionmaterials and spare parts to the neighbouring country.

In terms of education and training, the Ministry of Education and Training ofVietnam has handed over Vietnamese language textbooks from 1st to 12th gradesto Laos, which is being piloted at Nguyen Du school.

Vietnam has sent Vietnamese teachers to 28 establishments in 11 cities andprovinces of Laos, while supporting Laos in designing six education-trainingworks. In 2018, Vietnam granted 1,271 scholarships to Lao officials andstudents.

Bilateral ties between localities, especially those along the shared border,have also been expanded, especially in infrastructure, healthcare, personneltraining, poverty reduction and security./.