Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaketh (Photo: VNA)The Vietnamese and Lao culture sectors have boosted active cooperation, experience exchange and support for each other to grow together,Suansavanh said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents on the occasion of the60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (September 5,1962 – 2022) and the 45th year of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty ofAmity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977 – 2022).
Laos has received support from Vietnam in the first phase constructionof the national school of music and arts as well as various scholarships for short-termand long-term training courses in music, circus performance, fine arts, cinemaand others, she said, adding that a number of Vietnamese books and documents inpolitics, economics and culture have been translated into the Lao language.
The two countries have also cooperated in producing films onthe bilateral friendship and partnership, the minister noted.
In terms of tourism, Vietnam ranked third in the numberof tourist arrivals to Laos in 2019 with around 1 million visitors. Many Vietnameseand Lao visitors showed particular interest in exploring history of the other country,allowing the people of the two nations to better understand the traditional ties and becomecloser, she said.
With such a good bilateral relationship, Vietnam and Laosmust pay greater attention to boosting cooperation in tourism so they can welcomemore visitors from the other, the minister said.
She suggested that the two sides shouldfurther facilitate cross-border travel, encourage enterprises of both countries to develop regional tourism programmes, organise workshops andexperience-sharing events for both public and private sectors, and togetherpromote the distinctive beauty of their destinations.
Suansavanh unveiled that to mark the Vietnam – Lao Solidarity andFriendship Year 2022, her ministry and the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism will work together to host a series of celebrations. They include a Lao culture week in Vietnam held in parallel with asimilar event of Vietnamese culture in Laos from July 18 – 22, featuring photoexhibitions on the bilateral partnership and cultural and arts exchange events./.
VNA
