Vietnam-Laos cultural and tourism ties contribute to each country’s development
There has been dynamic and lively cultural exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos over recent years, contributing to the development of each country in the new period, according to Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaketh.
Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaketh (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – There has been dynamic and livelycultural exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos over recent years,contributing to the development of each country in the new period, according toLao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaketh.
The Vietnamese and Lao culture sectors have boosted active cooperation, experience exchange and support for each other to grow together,Suansavanh said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents on the occasion of the60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (September 5,1962 – 2022) and the 45th year of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty ofAmity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977 – 2022).
Laos has received support from Vietnam in the first phase constructionof the national school of music and arts as well as various scholarships for short-termand long-term training courses in music, circus performance, fine arts, cinemaand others, she said, adding that a number of Vietnamese books and documents inpolitics, economics and culture have been translated into the Lao language.
The two countries have also cooperated in producing films onthe bilateral friendship and partnership, the minister noted.
In terms of tourism, Vietnam ranked third in the numberof tourist arrivals to Laos in 2019 with around 1 million visitors. Many Vietnameseand Lao visitors showed particular interest in exploring history of the other country,allowing the people of the two nations to better understand the traditional ties and becomecloser, she said.
With such a good bilateral relationship, Vietnam and Laosmust pay greater attention to boosting cooperation in tourism so they can welcomemore visitors from the other, the minister said.
She suggested that the two sides shouldfurther facilitate cross-border travel, encourage enterprises of both countries to develop regional tourism programmes, organise workshops andexperience-sharing events for both public and private sectors, and togetherpromote the distinctive beauty of their destinations.
Suansavanh unveiled that to mark the Vietnam – Lao Solidarity andFriendship Year 2022, her ministry and the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism will work together to host a series of celebrations. They include a Lao culture week in Vietnam held in parallel with asimilar event of Vietnamese culture in Laos from July 18 – 22, featuring photoexhibitions on the bilateral partnership and cultural and arts exchange events./.
Vietnam and its National Assembly (NA) alway consider strengthening and developing the special solidarity with Laos a top priority, affirmed NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue while hosting visiting Vice Chairman of the Lao NA Sommad Pholsena on July 13.
Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The and Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Viengsavath Siphandone held a working session in Hanoi on July 14, during which they discussed transport cooperation plans between the two countries in 2022 and the following years.
The Border Guard Command of the central province of Quang Binh organised a Vietnam-Laos friendship exchange programme at the provincial border guard level on July 14 and 15.
A delegation of the Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU) Central Committee led by its President Aly Vong Nor Bun Tham paid a working visit to the northern province of Ha Nam on July 16.
The Vietnam-Laos relations have been special and rare ties with loyalty and purity, a priceless asset, a rule for existence and development of both countries and a decisive factor for the success of the revolution in each nation, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang has said.
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.
Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaketh (Photo: VNA)
