Vietnam, Laos enhance cooperation in ethnic affairs
Vietnam and Laos have agreed to boost cooperation in ethnic affairs, including training, building and implementing related policies, and increasing cultural exchanges between ethnic groups along the shared border line.
At the working session between the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Ethnic Affairs and the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnam and Laoshave agreed to boost cooperation in ethnic affairs, including training,building and implementing related policies, and increasing cultural exchangesbetween ethnic groups along the shared border line.
The agreement was reached at the talks inVientiane on April 25 between Deputy Minister-Vice Chairwoman of the VietnameseGovernment’s Committee for Ethnic Affairs Hoang Thi Hanh and Vice Chairman ofthe Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction YiakeuyaNochochongtua.
The two sides agreed to work together toincrease communications among ethnic people living along the shared border sothat they do not participate in negative activities such as human and drugtrafficking, free migration, and unregistered marriage.
They consented to join hands in publishing abilingual magazine to popularize the special friendship between Vietnam andLaos, as well as encouraging ethnic minorities in the shared border areas topreserve and promote good cultural values.
The two sides pledged to jointly organiseseminars for ethnic affairs officials to share experience and art programmespraising the bilateral friendship.
During their working visit to Laos from April24-28, the Vietnamese delegation paid a courtesy visit to leaders of the LaoMinistry of Home Affairs and the Lao National Assembly’s Committee for EthnicAffairs, and visited the Embassy of Vietnam in Laos. They are also scheduled tovisit the northern province of Luangphrabang.-VNA
Sound collaboration between the Vietnamese and Lao ministries of home affairs has contributed to fostering the two countries’ friendship, stated Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Vietnamese businesses still think Laos is an attractive destination and will continue to invest in the country despite a slowdown in out-bound investment, Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung told Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane on December 16.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung highlighted the crucial role of energy cooperation with Laos during a reception in Hanoi on February 18 for Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath.
The official friendly visit to Laos from February 24-25 by Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong is expected to contribute to tightening, enhancing and developing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, a Lao official has said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Laos Somedee Duangdee has praised the effectiveness of the cooperation between Lao ministries and agencies with Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communication (MoIC).
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
At the working session between the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Ethnic Affairs and the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (Photo: VNA) 
