Laos inaugurates and puts into operation Nongkhang Airport.

This is a significant project that contributes to improving and modernizing transportation infrastructure, promoting socio -economic development in Laos in general and Huaphanh province in particular.

On May 15th, the handover, inauguration, and commissioning ceremony for Nongkhang Airport took place in Samneua district, Huaphanh province, Northern Laos.

Attending the ceremony were Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Ngarmpasong Meungmany; Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Lao Cooperation Committee; Secretary and Governor of Huaphanh Province Vanxay Phengsoumma; representatives from the Vietnamese Consulate General in Luang Prabang Province and relevant units of both countries.

According to the Lao Civil Aviation Authority, Nongkhang Airport plays a strategic role in the economic development of Huaphanh province in particular and the Northeast region of Laos in general, facilitating quick connections between the area and the capital Vientiane and other localities.

Laos inaugurates and puts into operation Nongkhang Airport (photo 2) — *Scenes from the signing ceremony for the handover of Nongkhang Airport.*

Furthermore, Nongkhang Airport is located in a key area for land-based economic trade between Laos and Vietnam, playing a crucial role in promoting cross-border import and export between the two countries. Bringing the airport into operation will contribute significantly to the economic and tourism development of Huaphanh province in particular, and Laos in general.

Nongkhang Airport is a project within the Lao government 's infrastructure development strategy aimed at transforming Laos from a landlocked country into a regionally connected nation.

The project has a total investment of 82 million USD, using loan capital from Hoang Anh Gia Lai International Agriculture Joint Stock Company, under the Build-Transfer (BT) model between Hoang Anh Gia Lai International Agriculture Joint Stock Company and the Government of Laos.

The project is built according to the 3C standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), with a capacity to serve 100,000 passengers per year and can accommodate aircraft with 70 to 100 seats.

Laos inaugurates and puts into operation Nongkhang Airport (photo 3) — *The inauguration ceremony for Nongkhang Airport.*

Huaphanh Provincial Party Secretary and Governor Vanxay Phengsoumma stated that Huaphanh's limited transportation infrastructure significantly impacts the local socio-economic development.

The inauguration and commissioning of Nongkhang Airport fulfills the expectations of the people of Huaphanh province, creating favorable conditions for the province's development in all aspects, and marks an important milestone in the cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong assessed that putting Nongkhang Airport into operation contributes to promoting connectivity and socio-economic development for Laos in general and Huaphanh province in particular, while further enhancing the special relationship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.