National Assembly Chairman receives Lao Ambassador
Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception in Hanoi on May 13 for Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang, who was the first foreign ambassador to pay a courtesy visit to Hue as the top leader of the NA.
NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (right) receives Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)♏ – Chairmanof the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception in Hanoi on May 13 for Lao Ambassador toVietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang, who was the first foreign ambassador to pay a courtesy visit to Hue as the top leader of the NA.
Hue congratulated Laos on successfullyholding the 11th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Partyand the election of the new capable and prestigious leadership at the first session of the 9th National Assembly. Vietnam has kept a close watch on the COVID-19pandemic in Laos and shared sympathy with Laos over difficulties confronted by its people, he said. The NA Chairman expressed his belief that under the soundleadership of the Lao Party and State, and with the determination and consensus of competent agencies and the entire people, the fraternal Lao people will control thepandemic soon and continue focusing on socio-economic development.
Affirming Vietnam’s consistent policy ofgiving the top priority to its relations with Laos and expressing his delight at the development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, Hue said leaders of the two countries haveregularly held talks to continue with existing cooperation mechanisms amid thepandemic. In particular, two-way trade has kept growing.
♐ He went on to say that the two legislatures shared important experience inlegislation, facilitated all-level visits, held thematic seminars and monitored theimplementation of signed bilateral cooperation agreements.
At the reception (Photo: VNA)
Hue suggested the Lao ambassador work with theVietnamese NA Committee for External Relations and other agencies to increasethe exchange of delegations and experience via both online and in-person formats,particularly those related to lawmaking and deciding on important issues suchas macro-economic and budget management, supervision over legal enforcement,celebrations for the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic tiesand the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Treatyon Amity and Cooperation next year.
🔯 The Lao Ambassador, for his part, expressed hisbelief that under the leadership of the two nations' leaders, the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam will further develop.
He thanked the VietnameseParty and State for sending experts and medical supplies to help Laos fight the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as funding the construction of the Lao NAHouse which was completed on schedule to serve the first session of the 9th legislature. In his position, the Lao ambassador pledged to do his best todevelop relations between the two countries and Parties. Hue said the Vietnamese Ministry of Constructionwill check and officially hand over the work to Laos in late June, stressing that it deserves one ofthe symbols of bilateral ties in the new period./.
The Vietnamese association in Laos’ Oudomsay province donated a total of 135 million LAK (14,363 USD) worth of COVID-19 relief supplies and cash on April 29 to help local authorities fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 30 extended his sympathy to his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh and informed him on the provision of 500,000 USD in urgent aid from the Vietnamese Party, State and people to help Laos battle the new COVID-19 resurgence.
A ceremony to hand over medical supplies to the Lao Defence Ministry and welcome medical experts from the Vietnamese Defence Ministry was held at Cau Treo – Nam Phao international border gate on May 3.
Vietnam’s assistance for Laos in the COVID-19 combat was handed over at a ceremony held at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane capital city on May 4 morning.
Ho Chi Minh City will spend 2.5 billion VND (over 108,000 USD) from its COVID-19 prevention and control fund to support Vietnamese expatriates and people in difficult circumstances in Cambodia and Laos who are affected by COVID-19, a representative from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of HCM City announced on May 5.
The Vietnamese community in Laos has joined hands with Lao authorities and people to overcome the current COVID-19 outbreak by raising fund and donating cash, necessities and medical supplies to the host country.
The Vietnam-Laos and Vietnam-India Friendship Associations on May 6 sent dispatches to their chapters at the provincial and municipal level on raising money to support pandemic-affected people in the two countries.
Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Phan Van Giang held a video call on May 6 with his Lao counterpart, General Chansamon Chanyalat, to discuss measures to boost defence cooperation suitable to the new circumstances.
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The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
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The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
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Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (right) receives Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang (Photo: VNA) 
At the reception (Photo: VNA) 
