From April 20th to the 24th, 2023, a delegation from Hanoi traveled to Laos as a major diplomatic gesture. Ms. Phung Thi Hong Ha, who serves as the Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Council and is a member of the Permanent Board of the Hanoi Party Committee, led the delegation.

Vietnam and Laos recently commemorated 60 years of diplomatic relations and 45 years since the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, making this visit all the more significant. The visit is a component of Hanoi's foreign relations strategy for 2023 and was arranged at the request of the Vientiane People's Council. The delegation is made up of district representatives, department heads, and Hanoi People's Council members.

In order to accomplish this mission, the People's Councils of the two capitals will work together more closely in many areas. These areas include providing more comprehensive training to dedicated staff, exchanging legislative experiences, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of oversight, investigations, and accountability. There was also talk of social welfare and investment promotion.

The Vietnamese Embassy welcomed the delegation with open arms when they arrived in Laos on April 20. On behalf of the leadership of Hanoi, Ms. Phung Thi Hong Ha conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to the embassy staff.

During her visit to the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, the Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Council shared insights into the socio-economic development of Hanoi. She highlighted Hanoi's dedication to its foreign affairs responsibilities and the city's symbolic role in expanding diplomatic relations, drawing attention to the special friendship with Laos, especially with Vientiane.

With the goal of promoting the development of both capitals and strengthening the solidarity, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, governments, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos, Hanoi has been actively working to enhance comprehensive cooperation with Vientiane across various fields.

Supporting Hanoi's varied cooperative activities with Laos, the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos has played a crucial role. In addition to keeping Hanoi apprised of current events, the embassy has been offering helpful suggestions to support the capital's diplomatic initiatives.

The delegation's leader, Ms. Ha, conveyed the delegation's appreciation to the Vietnamese embassy in Laos and its staff, including Chargé d'affaires Mr. Phan Minh Chien, for their hard work and encouraged them to keep up the good work they've been doing for the benefit of the Vietnamese people, the Party, and the state. She emphasized once again that Hanoi is prepared to work closely with Laos on international affairs.

In welcoming the delegation, Mr. Phan Minh Chien, representing the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, conveyed his gratitude for the opportunity to host them and pledged to keep working closely with Hanoi to deepen the friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

A "forever green and everlasting" relationship is a shared goal of Vietnam and Laos, and this visit highlights the strong link between the two nations.