Vientiane (VNA) – National Assembly ChairmanVuong Dinh Hue commended the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association for its contributionsto the friendship and special solidarity between the two countries, during areception for its President Boviengkham Vongdara in Vientiane on May 17.

Hue described people-to-people diplomacy as animportant diplomatic channel between Vietnam and Laos, in which associationsplay a significant role.

The two sides should further educate their peoples,especially young generations, about the relations and the need to preserve andpromote the rare relationship, the top legislator stressed.

He asked Boviengkham Vongdara, who is also Lao Ministerof Science and Technology, to continue supporting the Vietnamese community inLaos and more than 200 Vietnamese businesses operating in the neighbouringcountry.

The Vietnamese legislature stands ready tofacilitate the development of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association, andfoster the relations between the two countries, he pledged.

For his part, Boviengkham Vongdara briefed the NAChairman on the operation of his association, saying in the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-VietnamSolidarity and Friendship Year 2022, it plans to welcome Vietnamese former youth volunteersin Laos, and organise workshops, seminars and other activities to promote thebilateral relations.

The association will also work to enhance economic,trade and investment ties between the two countries, he added.

Within the framework of the NA Chairman’s officialvisit to Laos, Minister-Chairman of the Government’s Committee for EthnicMinorities Affairs Hau A Lenh paid a courtesy visit to President of the LaoFront for National Construction Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune.

Lenh emphasised the Vietnamese Party and State’sviewpoints of placing importance to ethnic matters and policies in theprinciples of equality and solidarity, towards building the great national solidarity bloc.

He noted with pleasure the developments of thefriendship and cooperation between the Vietnamese committee and the Lao front,and expressed his wish that the relationship will further grow, benefiting the twocountries and peoples.

Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune also affirmed Laos’s efforts in building the great solidarity bloc, with policies issued to ensure equality among ethnic groups.

He spoke highly of the visit to Laos by NA ChairmanHue and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation, especially in the Vietnam-Laos,Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year./.