Laos, Vietnam enjoy stronger ties despite pandemic

Lao and Vietnamese leaders have agreed that the friendly relations and cooperation between Laos and Vietnam continue to grow despite the difficulties created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Visiting Lao Vice President, Mrs Pany Yathotou, and her Vietnamese counterpart Vo Thi Anh Xuan spoke highly of the growing ties between the two countries when they met for talks in Hanoi this week.

Mrs Pany is paying an official visit to Vietnam from April 25-27 in response to an invitation from her Vietnamese counterpart, Vo Thi Anh Xuan.
 The visit aims to enhance the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, according to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two vice presidents reiterated the importance of strengthening their cooperation in the future, particularly in relation to the areas and programmes agreed to by the two nations. 
 The two sides agreed to jointly celebrate the 60th anniversary of Laos-Vietnam diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Laos-Vietnam Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
 They also agreed to disseminate the history of these two historic occasions among the younger generations to ensure they fully understand the importance of the special relationship between Laos and Vietnam.
Vietnam is a major foreign investor and a key trading partner of Laos. As of 2020, Vietnamese businesses had invested in more than 400 projects in Laos worth over US$4 billion, mainly in agriculture, electricity, and mining.
Vietnam recently agreed to continue to assist the investment sector in Laos, especially through technical training for planning and investment officials.
This cooperation promotes investment by businesses in each country, as well as encouraging enterprises that have entered into agreements to fulfil the set plans and resolve any outstanding issues concerning investment projects that have been approved.
Trade between Laos and Vietnam is expected to grow this year even as the two countries continue to battle the Covid-19 pandemic and the spiralling price of fuel.
The governments of Laos and Vietnam have set a target to increase the value of annual two-way trade by 10-15 percent in 2022 after the value of trade reached US$1.34 billion in 2021, an increase of 30.2 percent on the previous year.
During the course of the Covid 19 pandemic, Vietnam has provided medical equipment and specialists in support of Laos’ battle against the virus.
During her visit, Mrs Pany called on the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee, Nguyen Phu Trong, and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, to further discuss cooperation.
The Lao vice president also visited National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and toured development projects in the provinces.

By Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update April 27, 2022)