Laos Hosts Red-Carpet Welcome Ceremony for Vietnamese President To Lam

Vientiane, The Gulf Observer: General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith hosted a red-carpet welcome ceremony in Vientiane on Thursday for Vietnamese President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on a state visit to the neighboring country.

Following the ceremony, the Vietnamese and Lao leaders engaged in talks to explore measures to deepen and enhance the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

President Lam’s visit comes at a time when the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation are thriving with strong political trust. The bilateral economic, trade, and investment partnership is expanding, with two-way trade reaching over US$1.46 billion in 2023 and over $620 million in the first four months of this year, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 10.6%.

Vietnam is currently investing in 241 projects in Laos, with a total capital of about $5.5 billion, ranking third among the countries and territories investing there.

Laos is the first foreign country President Lam is visiting as the state leader of Vietnam, highlighting the special attention and priority that Vietnam attaches to its relationship with Laos. The enduring traditional relations, close bond, and faithful friendship between the two peoples, initiated by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, have been nurtured and reinforced by generations of leaders and people of both nations, becoming a shared priceless asset and a common rule of development for the two countries.

The bilateral ties were elevated from “traditional” to “great traditional” in February 2019, marking a significant historical milestone and creating a new breakthrough in the relations between the two countries.

Prior to the welcome ceremony, the two leaders and the Vietnamese delegation laid flowers at the monument dedicated to Lao unknown martyrs in Vientiane, honoring the sacrifices made for the nation.

This visit underscores the commitment of both nations to further strengthen their comprehensive cooperation and solidarity, fostering peace and development in the region.