Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung (Photo: VNA)Looking back on the embassy’s performance in 2023, he toldthe Vietnam News Agency that to implement Vietnamese and Lao leaders’ directionfor developing economic cooperation on par with political, diplomatic,security, and defence ties, the embassy identified economic diplomacy as one ofits focal tasks right at the start of 2023.
Inthat spirit, it has actively helped to promote actions by the two countries’ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses to effectively implement thecooperation agreements and deals reached at the 45th meeting of theVietnam - Laos Inter-governmental Committee, he noted.
Vietnamremains one of the biggest foreign investors in Laos while bilateral trade hasposted good growth. Some key cooperation projects have been completed asplanned such as Nong Khang Airport in Houaphanhprovince and the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Hospital in Xieng Khouang provinceof Laos. Besides, the embassy has also helped promote many others, including theVung Ang 1, 2, and 3 terminal projects in Ha Tinh province of Vietnam, theHanoi - Vientiane Expressway project, and the Vung Ang - Vientiane rail routeproject, which will be carried out soon.
Another important achievement is that the embassy hasactively coordinated in the settlement of difficulties and obstacles facingVietnamese businesses in Laos, along with the search for and encouragement of newand capable investors from Vietnam to invest in potential areas in Laos,including renewable energy, mining, and agriculture.
Anew wave of Vietnamese investment in Laos in emerging as seen in big andquality projects of many major enterprises like Vietjet Air, Vingroup, and VietPhuong, according to Hung.
The ambassador added the embassy has also successfully heldmany investment promotion conferences and meetings with Vietnamese firms inLaos during Vietnamese leaders’ visits, thereby enhancing the businesses’confidence in the neighbouring country.
In terms of cultural diplomacy, it has also worked with the VietnameseCulture Centre to organise various activities in Laos such as a Lunar New Yearfair, photo exhibitions on Vietnam’s world heritage and culture, trips to Laocultural heritage sites for the two countries’ photographers, performances byVietnamese art troupes in Laos, and participation in cultural events held byLao authorities and the diplomatic corps in this country.
Those activities have helped Lao and international friendsunderstand more about the country, people, and identity of Vietnam, he went on.
In addition, the embassy has also actively organised eventsto honour President Ho Chi Minh City, including offering incense at thememorial site in Xieng Vang village in Nong Bok district of Khammouane provinceon the occasion of the late Vietnamese leader’s 133rd birthanniversary, and upgrading the President’s relic site in Xaynhaphoum village in KaysonePhomvihane city of Savannakhet province.
Hung said that nowadays, the works named after President Ho Chi Minh,who laid the foundation for bilateral ties, in Laos have become touristattractions. These sites also help visitors learn about the long-standingsolidarity between the two countries.
Activities of cultural diplomacyhave also been connected with overseas Vietnamese affairs to assist the Vietnameseexpatriates uphold and introduce the homeland’s culture in Laos, he continued,taking celebrations of the Lunar New Year and the commemoration anniversary ofthe Hung Kings, along with the maintenance of traditional customs as example.
The diplomat noted that together with the sound political, diplomatic,security, and defence relations, economic and cultural diplomatic activities willalso be fostered by the embassy in 2024.
As countries are paying more attention to cultural diplomacy,international cooperation in cultural affairs, and the preservation andpromotion of traditional cultural values, the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos will keepexerting efforts to fulfil its tasks to help promote the homeland’s identiy, images,and stature in the international arena, he added./.
VNA
