Nghe An's special position in Vietnam - Laos relationship

(Baonghean) - During his official friendship visit to Vietnam, General Secretary and President of the Lao PDR Bounnhang Vorachit took time to visit Nghe An.- the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh. That affirms the very special position of the province in the Vietnam - Laos relationship.

Gratitude from your country

On the afternoon of December 20, thousands of students, veterans, and people of Nghe An province stood along the road from Vinh airport to the city center to welcome the General Secretary and President of the Lao PDR.

The fresh bouquets of flowers, the fluttering flags of the two countries, and the respectful greetings that the people of Uncle Ho's homeland gave to the leader of the Lao Party and State as soon as he set his first steps on Nghe An land left a deep impression of the steadfast friendship between the two countries in general, and between Nghe An and Laos in particular.

Talking with the leaders of Nghe An province, comrade Bun-nhang Vo-la-chit shared that he was very moved by that image: "This is an image representing the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States, and people of Laos and Vietnam; Vietnam - Laos".

Comrade Bounnhang Vorachit listens to an introduction of the artifacts on display at the Memorial House of the Lao PDR Government, which donated the President Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site. Photo: Duc Anh

Nghe An holds a very important position in the Vietnam - Laos relationship. During the resistance war against the US to save the country, Nghe An became the rear base for Laos when thousands of people from Xieng Khouang province took refuge in Con Cuong district. The ethnic people in Con Cuong welcomed and cared for the people of Laos like family members...

It is from the wholehearted and sincere help in the spirit of "sharing weal and woe, sharing a bowl of rice, giving half a vegetable, sharing joy and sorrow together" that has contributed to building and nurturing the special relationship between the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

Coming out of the war, Vietnam and Laos joined hands to build and develop the country. The special friendship between the two peoples and two countries continued to develop comprehensively, reaching new heights.

With the characteristic of having the longest land border with Laos in the country (419.5 km), bordering 3 provinces of Laos: Xieng Khouang, Bolikhamxay, Hua Phan, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh emphasized: "Nghe An has a very good traditional relationship with many provinces of Laos".

Nghe An and the neighboring provinces of Laos, which share a common border, not only regularly maintain contact and exchange experiences at all levels, but also help each other with very specific actions.

The solidarity and affection are present in practical projects, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of Laos.

Projects such as Xieng Khouang Provincial Cultural House (costing about 44 billion VND); Khap Village Community Cultural House, Muong Khun District; Phonsavan High School, Xieng Khouang Province; Hua Phan Province School and Community Cultural House; Kham Cot District Ethnic High School, Bolikhamxay Province; Military and Civilian Medical Station at Nam On Village 1, Xaychamphon District, Bolikhamxay Province... mark the efforts of the people of Nghe An Province to the people of the Land of a Million Elephants.

Besides the majestic constructions, President Ho Chi Minh's hometown also enthusiastically supports training of cadres for Lao provinces in the fields of military, national defense, education, security and order, health...

Every year, Nghe An helps train cadres for Lao provinces with a budget of 13 billion VND. In addition to the material value, the spiritual value is even higher. How much affection the people of Nghe An province have for thousands of Laotians who come to study and work.

Currently, there are 740 Laotian staff and students studying at universities in Nghe An. Among them, many Laotian students are welcomed by Nghe An families as their own children.

Opening up new potential for cooperation

Not only helping each other in many aspects, Nghe An and Laos are becoming potential economic partners. Currently, the province has about 90 import-export enterprises and invests in the Lao market in many fields with a total investment capital of more than 200 million USD.

In 2017, the total import-export turnover between Nghe An and Laos reached 16.67 million USD. The seaport in our province is also the gateway to the Pacific Ocean for goods from Laos.

Vietnam - Laos Trade Fair. Photo: Internet

In particular, with the vibrant development of trade, passenger bus routes from Nghe An province to some cities and provinces of Laos are increasingly developed, with tens of thousands of passenger and cargo cars traveling back and forth between the two countries each year. The number of tourists to Laos is increasing.

Citing figures to see the huge potential for cooperation between Nghe An and Laos, especially in the near future, when the Hanoi - Vientiane expressway and the route through Thanh Thuy border gate, Thanh Chuong district, Nghe An is completed.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Dac Vinh said that Nghe An province was very excited to receive the news that the two governments had decided to build this highway. “This will be a great opportunity for Nghe An province to connect with Laos and Northeast Thailand,” Comrade Nguyen Dac Vinh affirmed.

General Secretary and President of the Lao PDR Bounnhang Vorachit also reaffirmed to the leaders of Nghe An province the construction of this highway and promised to open up a new step of development for both sides.

In particular, highly appreciating the province's potential with its strengths in agriculture, industry, services, tourism, and Laos's great potential, the General Secretary and President of the Lao PDR suggested that the two sides continue to cooperate closely to promote the development process more quickly.

Affirming that spirit, the head of the Lao Party and State introduced senior leaders of the Lao Government and suggested that the two sides connect and work to promote cooperation./.

Nhat Le