Official welcoming ceremony for President To Lam on State visit to Laos

The official welcoming ceremony for President To Lam and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation on a state visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic took place solemnly at the National Assembly Square in the capital Vientiane.

President To Lam and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith review the Guard of Honor. (Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA)

According to the special correspondent of VNA, at 8:40 a.m. on July 11 (local time), the official welcoming ceremony for President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on a state visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic took place solemnly at the National Assembly Square in the capital Vientiane.

General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith presided over the welcoming ceremony.

The motorcade carrying President To Lam entered the central area of the National Assembly Square to the warm welcome of many students and people of the capital Vientiane in traditional costumes of Lao ethnic people and holding flags of the two countries in their hands.

Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith welcomed President To Lam.

After receiving a bouquet of flowers from children for President To Lam, the two leaders moved to the position of honor to prepare for the official welcoming ceremony. The military band played the national anthems of Vietnam and Laos.

The captain of the Lao honor guard stepped forward to invite President To Lam to review the honor guard.

President To Lam and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith reviewed the honor guard.

At the end of the ceremony, Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and President To Lam cordially greeted and introduced officials from the two countries present at the welcoming ceremony.

President To Lam holds talks with Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith. Photo: Nhan Sang-VNA

Immediately after the official welcoming ceremony, President To Lam and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith led high-ranking delegations from the two countries to hold talks to discuss measures to further deepen and effectively enhance the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

President To Lam's visit to Laos takes place in the context of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos continuing to develop well; the close and trustworthy political relationship continues to be consolidated; the two sides regularly exchange visits and contacts at high and all levels; and enhance the exchange of theories and experiences in Party building, socio-economic development and international integration.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation continues to have positive changes; two-way trade turnover in 2023 reached more than 1.64 billion USD, in the first 4 months of 2024 reached 620 million USD (up 10.6% over the same period in 2023).

Vietnam currently has 241 valid investment projects in Laos, with a total registered capital of about 5.5 billion USD, maintaining the 3rd position among countries/territories investing the most in Laos.

The fact that Laos is the first country that President To Lam visits in his new position is proof of Vietnam's consistent policy of always giving top priority to consolidating and nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The good traditional relationship and the loyal attachment between the people of Vietnam and Laos, founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Suphanouvong, and nurtured by successive generations of leaders of the two Parties, States and peoples, have become invaluable assets of both nations and a common development rule of the two countries on the path to developing a prosperous country and a prosperous and happy people.

President To Lam and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith pose for a photo. Photo: Nhan Sang-VNA

The two countries upgraded their relationship from “traditional” to “great tradition” in February 2019 during the visit to Laos by General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong. This is a milestone of great historical significance, creating a new breakthrough in the cooperative relationship between the two countries. Since then, the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have become increasingly close, innovative, and developed.

Over the past years, under the close guidance of the two countries' senior leaders, the active participation of ministries, sectors, localities and enterprises, the special cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Laos has achieved many important results in various fields, contributing to ensuring the stable development of each country; continuing to consolidate and promote the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos and Laos.

Before the official welcoming ceremony and talks with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation laid wreaths at the Monument to the Unknown Soldiers of Laos in the capital Vientiane to commemorate and express gratitude for the contributions and indomitable fighting spirit of the outstanding sons of the Lao people who fell in the cause of liberating, protecting and building Laos./.

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