Vietnam, Laos attach importance to people-to-people diplomacy: official
Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man highly appreciated the positive developments in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries during a reception held on September 27 for delegates who are attending the fifth Vietnam-Laos People Friendship Festival in Vietnam's central province of Quang Tri.
Quang Tri (VNA) – Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man highly appreciated the positive developments in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries during a reception held on September 27 for delegates who are attending the fifth Vietnam-Laos People Friendship Festival in Vietnam's central province of Quang Tri.
Man, who is also chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Parliamentary Group, affirmed that the Parties and States of Vietnam and Laos attach great importance to people-to-people diplomacy and always create the most favourable conditions for friendship activities between the two countries.
The official said he hopes that in the coming time, friendship organisations of the two countries will continue to closely coordinate, organise many activities with diverse forms and contents to cultivate the friendship between the two countries.
The great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos is an exemplary relationship and it is an important factor for the two countries to gain great achievements in the struggle for national liberation as well as in the national construction and defence of each country, he noted.
The official hailed the significance of the Vietnam-Laos People Friendship Festival, saying that it contributes to the celebration of 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and 45 years since the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries (July 18, 1977-July 18, 2022).
Lao Minister of Technology and Communications, Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association, Boviengkham Vongdala expressed gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, State and people for always supporting and helping Laos in its struggle for national liberation as well as national construction and development. The official pledged that they will do their best to preserve and develop the pure and faithful relationship between the two countries.
The fifth Vietnam-Laos People Friendship Festival is taking place in Quang Tri province and Savannakhet province of Laos from September 27-30, aiming to enhance exchanges, mutual understanding and tighten the solidarity between the peoples of the two countries.
A number of events will be held within the framework of the🎉 festival, including a conference on friendship activities be🦹tween Vietnam and Laos, visits to a number of revolutionary historical sites and delivery of gifts to disadvantaged people in border areas./.
A wide range of activities have been organised in 2022 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962 - 2022) and the 45 years following the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18).
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith has held in high regard the role and contribution of diplomacy to the Vietnam – Laos friendly relations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (July 18, 1977 – 2022) and the 45th year of their signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said he believes that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation will further thrive and reach new heights toward development and prosperity for the sake of the two countries' people, as well as for peace, stability, collaboration and development regionally and internationally.
Vietnam and Laos opened the youth friendship meeting and the “Following leaders’ footprints” programme 2022 in Hanoi on September 14, with the participation of more than 300 youth delegates from Vietnam and over 100 others from Laos.
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.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
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.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
At the event (Photo: VNA) 
