Vietnam, Laos seek to beef up trade, industry and justice ties
Vietnamese officials met in Vientiane on August 9 with their Lao counterparts to discuss ways to step up bilateral cooperation in industry, trade and justice as they were accompanying President Nguyen Xuan Phuc in his ongoing official visit to Laos.
Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (left) and his Lao counterpart Khampheng Xaysompheng meet in Vientiane on August 9. (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnamese officialsmet in Vientiane on August 9 with their Lao counterparts to discuss ways to step up bilateralcooperation in industry, trade and justice as they were accompanying PresidentNguyen Xuan Phuc in his ongoing official visit to Laos.
In the meeting between Vietnamese Minister of Industryand Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and his Lao counterpart Khampheng Xaysompheng, bothsides expressed their delight at the recovery of the two-way trade in the firsthalf of 2021, laying solid foundation for lifting the trade growth to 10percent this year as planned by the two governments.
They agreed to accelerate talks to soon conclude aprotocol amending the 2015 Vietnam-Laos trade agreement which is expected to beinked this year. They will also urge relevant agencies from both sides to fullyimplement the commitments of the bilateral border trade agreement.
Dien emphasised the importance of the construction of anexpressway connecting Hanoi and Vientiane, saying it would form a basis for hisministry to encourage and support more Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Laosto make the most of the two nations’ potential for cooperation.
He later took the occasion to invite Lao Minister ofIndustry and Commerce Khampheng Xaysompheng to visit Vietnam at the earliestconvenience and suggest the two countries hold a joint conference for cooperationin and development of industry and trade, and energy and mining in Vietnam.
Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long (left) meets with his Lao counterpart Phaivy Siboualipha. (Photo: VNA)
On the same day, Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le ThanhLong met with his Lao counterpart Phaivy Siboualipha, who thanked Longand his ministry for always assisting and sharing experience withLaos.
Minister Long, for his part, proposed the two sides further deepen judicial ties via the periodic judicial conference between theirborder-sharing provinces and exchanges of delegations, documents and legalpapers.
He also asked his host to speed up the granting of Laocitizenship to eligible Vietnamese people under the bilateral agreement on settlementof free migration and to jointly launch talks on an agreement on mutual legalassistance in civil matters./.
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Lao counterpart, Saleumxay Kommasith, agreed to enhance the bilateral cooperation during their meeting in Vientiane on August 9.
President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien met with his Lao counterpart Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune in Vientiane on August 9.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 9 met with Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh; and visited and held separated meetings with former Party and State leaders of Laos.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has suggested Vietnam and Laos boost cooperation in institution-policy, infrastructure and human resources in the time ahead.
Chairman of the People's Committee of the Vietnamese northern province of Bac Giang Le Anh Duong had a meeting with Khamlieng Outthakaison, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Governor of Xaysomboun province of Laos in Vientiane on August 9.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (left) and his Lao counterpart Khampheng Xaysompheng meet in Vientiane on August 9. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long (left) meets with his Lao counterpart Phaivy Siboualipha. (Photo: VNA) 
