On April 1, Standing Vice Chairman Nguyen Loc Ha of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, led a municipal delegation to visit and hold high-level talks with leadership in Savannakhet, Laos. The delegation included Dang Thi Hai Tam, Vietnamese Consul General in Savannakhet, and Nguyen Thi Kim Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission.
During a meeting with Chairwoman Daovone Xaysouliene of the Savannakhet Provincial Administration, Vice Chairman Nguyen Loc Ha expressed his honor in visiting the province—the homeland of the late President Kaysone Phomvihane. He conveyed congratulations from Ho Chi Minh City’s top leadership on the 71st anniversary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (March 22, 1955 – March 22, 2026).
The Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City emphasized that the city consistently prioritizes the "great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation" between Vietnam and Laos. He noted that the two localities have achieved significant milestones across various sectors under previous agreements.
Looking ahead, the Vice Chairman invited Savannakhet leaders to attend major international events hosted by Ho Chi Minh City in 2026, including:
- The 20th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE)
- The 3rd Friendship Provinces and Cities Dialogue
- The Autumn Economic Forum.
Chairwoman Daovone Xaysouliene lauded the long-standing ties between the two nations and their respective cities, highlighting that recent practical cooperation programs serve as a testament to their deep-rooted relationship.
Later that day, the Ho Chi Minh City delegation held formal talks with Thongsay Xaynhavongkhamdy, Vice Chairman of the Savannakhet Provincial Administration.
Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha provided an overview of the newly expanded Ho Chi Minh City, which now spans over 6,000 square kilometers with a population exceeding 14 million. He reported that the 2022–2025 MoU had yielded comprehensive results, laying a firm foundation for the newly signed 2026–2030 agreement.
The new MoU aims to deepen bilateral ties and contribute to the 2027 celebrations marking the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
The key pillars of the 2026–2030 cooperation include human resource development through Ho Chi Minh City’s provision of scholarships and training for Savannakhet personnel at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. Furthermore, both sides aim to strengthen economic integration by intensifying trade, investment, and tourism promotion. To support market expansion, authorities have committed to creating favorable conditions that allow businesses to explore new investment opportunities and grow their presence across both regions.
This agreement marks a significant step in fostering local-level diplomacy and ensuring the sustainable growth of the Vietnam-Laos special partnership in a new era of development.
