Mr. Bounthong Chitmany, Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Vice President of Laos, was invited to Vietnam by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan to attend the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which was signed on September 25, 1972.

On the afternoon of July 17, at the Presidential Palace, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan chaired an official welcome ceremony and held talks with Comrade Bounthong Chitmany, Politburo member, Permanent Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Vice President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

This is the first official visit to Vietnam by Comrade Bounthong Chitmany in the position of Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Vice President of Laos, at the invitation of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, from July 17 to 19. ; attend the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962 - September 5, 2022) and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (July 18, 1977 - 18). July 2022).

Over the years, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have maintained a positive development momentum; Even during the time when the Covid-19 pandemic was severely affected.

Since the beginning of 2022, the two sides have successfully coordinated to organize important activities such as the annual meeting between the two Politburos, the 44th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee and the launching ceremony of "The Year of Vietnam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship" (1-2022); visits and meetings of senior leaders and at all levels: Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh's official visit to Vietnam (January 8, 2022 to January 10, 2022), Lao Vice President Pany Yathotu's official visit Vietnam (April 25, 2022 to April 27, 2022); visits and working visits to Laos by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (May 15, 2022 to May 17, 2022); Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung (April 3, 2022 to April 5, 2022); Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son co-chaired the political consultation at the foreign ministerial level of Vietnam - Laos (April 27, 2022 to April 29, 2022).

Vietnam and Laos share a border of more than 2,300 km, passing through the administrative boundaries of 10 provinces and cities of each side, is an area with potential for development, with a strategic location on the East-West Economic Corridor.

At the same time, taking advantage of incentives from the Bilateral Trade Agreement and the Vietnam - Laos Border Trade Agreement has contributed to promoting trade in goods and services. According to statistics, in 2021, trade turnover between Vietnam and Laos will reach 1.37 billion USD, up 33.3% compared to 2020.

In which, Vietnam's exports to Laos reached 594.7 million USD, up 4% compared to 2020. In contrast, Vietnam's import turnover from Laos reached 778.2 million USD, up 69.8% compared to 2020. with 2020. In the first 5 months of 2022, two-way trade turnover reached 690.6 million USD, up 19% over the same period in 2021.

Vietnam currently has 214 valid investment projects in Laos, with a total registered capital of about 5.38 billion USD, continuing to maintain the 3rd position among countries and territories investing in Laos; In the first 5 months of 2022 alone, the total registered investment capital of Vietnamese enterprises in Laos reached 64.5 million USD, an increase of 4.2 times compared to the same period in 2021.

Over the years, the two sides have closely cooperated in the fields of security - defense, education and training, and culture. Cooperation between localities, especially localities bordering the two countries, is increasingly interested in promoting.

The celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation taking place on July 18 in Hanoi is a national event and a key activity of the Vietnamese Communist Party. Year of Solidarity and Friendship between Vietnam and Laos 2022.

This is an important milestone of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos; It is an opportunity for the two sides to review the heroic history of the Vietnam-Laos Union of Solidarity to fight, the help and support of the two sides, the two parties, the two States and the two peoples. country during the period of struggle for independence for the two peoples in the past and in the present day construction, development and defense of the Fatherland in each country.

At the same time, this is also an activity that contributes to enhancing propaganda and education of all classes of people, especially the young generations of the two countries, about the meaning and importance of Vietnam-Laos relations.