According to Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara, the decision of President Tô Lâm to choose Laos as the first country to visit after taking office reflects his affection and honors Laos.

The Lao Minister of Technology and Communications, Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, Bosengkham Vongdara, answers an interview with a VNA reporter in Laos.

"We truly feel very honored and delighted that the President of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, is making his first state visit to Laos from July 11-12." This was affirmed by the Minister of Technology and Communications of Laos, who is also the President of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, Academician, Professor, and Doctor Boviengkham Vongdara, in an interview with a VNA reporter in Vientiane regarding the first overseas visit of President To Lam.

According to Mr. Vongdara, President Tô Lâm's choice of Laos as his first visit after taking office as President reflects both affection and honor for Laos; it also demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, two states, and the peoples of Laos and Vietnam, which are becoming increasingly profound.

This tradition has been nurtured by the two countries for a long time. The great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation were built and developed by the great President Hồ Chí Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and beloved President Souphanouvong, along with generations of leaders, and the people of both Laos and Vietnam have sacrificed blood and sweat to protect it.

The President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, will make a state visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Cambodia from July 11 to 13, 2024. Photo: Source from the Public Security Portal.

In the face of the complex and unpredictable changes and developments in the world and the region, as well as geopolitical and economic tensions and disasters occurring globally, which affect the development of both countries, Mr. Vongdara believes that Laos and Vietnam must stand together and support each other for national development.

Specifically, the two countries need to maintain their great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation in a sustainable manner by strengthening collaboration in all fields, such as party work, personnel management, and political education for the younger generation. Additionally, cooperation in the economic field should be enhanced so that both countries can develop together. Furthermore, both nations need to strengthen collaboration in defense-security and cultural-social cooperation.

Minister Boviengkham Vongdara emphasized that the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association will always promote people-to-people diplomacy, as this serves as a channel for the people of both countries to strengthen their relations and deepen their cooperation. It is essential to continue educating the younger generation so they understand the great friendship between the two countries and the need to preserve the Laos-Vietnam relationship for mutual development.