Vietnamese leader visits Champasak province of Laos

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang was warmly welcomed by residents of the Lao province of Champasak on June 13 as they lined up along the roads from Pakse airport to the province’s centre to wave at him.

The tour of Champasak was part of the President’s State visit to Laos – the first visit to a foreign country since he took office in April.

At the provincial administration’s headquarters, the leader met with the Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Champasak, Bounthong Divixay, who described the visit as an important milestone in the two countries’ time-tested friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (C) at the meeting

He said Champasak, the southernmost province of Laos with an area of 15,350 sq km, is a rice and fish production hub of the country. It has a population of about 694,000, including more than 3,500 Vietnamese people. It now boasts cooperative relations with 18 Vietnamese localities.

Vietnam has invested 326 million USD in 44 projects in Champasak, making up 51 percent of total foreign investment there.

In its Vision 2030, the province wants to enhance multifaceted relations with Vietnamese localities and solicit more investment from Vietnamese businesses, the official noted.

President Tran Dai Quang said during his talks and meetings with the Lao leaders, both sides lauded the sound collaboration between their localities, especially paired and border provinces.

He appreciated the connections between Champasak and Vietnamese localities, particularly in education – training, manpower development, and rice and commercial tree cultivation.

Wishing the province greater successes, he also asked its administration to continue giving favourable conditions for Vietnamese companies and expatriates, while considering support for those whose businesses suffered from the fire at Dao Heuang Market on May 17.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese leader gave Champasak 100 computers to serve local educational activities, along with 10,000 USD to assist Lao people who sustained damage after the Dao Heuang Market fire.

In the evening of June 13, the Champasak Governor hosted a banquet for the Vietnamese President and his entourage.