A warm reception was held at the Government Office by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Lao Minister of Technology and Communication Boviengkham Vongdara on the afternoon of May 29, 2023, marking a significant step towards enhancing bilateral relations.

With non-renewable resources like coal, oil, and natural gas becoming increasingly scarce and environmental pollution on the rise, scientific and technological progress finds itself at a crossroads of possibilities and threats as the world nears a watershed moment in its history. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized the significance of Laos' Ministry of Technology and Communication to the nation's development.

A national development strategy that prioritizes the efficient management and exploitation of limited natural resources, rapid digital transformation and green transition, and robust scientific and technological growth is essential for developing nations to catch up and surpass developed nations.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha expressed his admiration for the agreements that were signed between the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communication and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. He hoped that the two sides would soon work together to transfer technology and undertake digital and green transformations.

Hydroelectricity, wind power, and solar power are just a few examples of the renewable energy sources that Laos has the potential to harness. If this trend continues, the country could emerge as a leader in the green transition movement, both in Southeast Asia and globally. According to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, this will play a pivotal role in luring potential investors in the future.

The Laotian IT and Comms industry has made great strides in the digital transformation arena thanks to the proactive backing of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, which operates in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has full faith in Laos's ability to quickly and effectively set up a reliable network of information and communication technologies. Success for the digital economy and government is anticipated, and the traditional economy's reliance on dwindling resources will be supplanted. Digital transformation, which Laos can learn from in Vietnam, will bring about rapid socioeconomic development by improving all facets of society through the economy, healthcare, education, the arts, automation, and the Internet of Things.

Regarding human resource development, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha proposed that the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communication and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology collaborate to assess needs and create joint projects. In order to ensure that Laos's science and technology sector grows in tandem with Vietnam's in the future, Vietnam is prepared to share its experiences and assist with the training and development of Lao personnel.

“I am deeply grateful for the warm reception by the Deputy Prime Minister,” Minister Boviengkham Vongdara said. The visit of the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communication is intended to facilitate the signing of an MOU between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communication. The MOU will cover a range of topics, including disaster early warning systems, building technological resources for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and investigating the possibility of establishing a national center for cloud computing, big data, and applications.

In a statement, Minister Boviengkham Vongdara reaffirmed the strong partnership between the Laotian Ministry of Communication and Technology and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as other Vietnamese ministries. This collaboration exemplifies the all-encompassing partnership between the two countries, which helps maintain, enrich, and fortify the unique camaraderie and friendship between Vietnam and Laos.