On the afternoon of August 18, 2026, the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs welcomed and held a working session with a delegation from the Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The visit, part of the Lao delegation's experience-sharing program in Vietnam, opened up opportunities for both sides to tighten solidarity and enhance professional efficiency in foreign information work.
Overview of the working session
The delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos consisted of 08 members, led by Mr. Somkhit Vankham, Director General of the Press Department. Alongside officials from the Press Department, the delegation included representatives from other affiliated units, such as the Department of Treaties and Law, the Department of Asia, Pacific, and Africa, and the Office of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the Vietnamese side, the meeting was attended by a representative from the Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
During the session, Mrs. Tran Thi Quynh Trang, Director of the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs, along with the Department's leadership, warmly welcomed the Lao delegation. The working session was not only an opportunity to strengthen friendship and goodwill but also a practical forum for foreign affairs and press officers from both sides to engage in in-depth professional exchanges and share practical lessons from their respective localities and units.
The Director of the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs gave a speech
Speaking at the meeting, the Director of the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs provided the Lao delegation with a general overview of the city's socio-economic development, as well as outstanding achievements in foreign affairs and international integration in recent times. Hai Phong's foreign affairs continue to be implemented systematically, proactively, and effectively across all three key pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy. This proactivity has helped Hai Phong continuously expand its cooperative relations with international partners, effectively serving socio-economic development goals while positioning and elevating the city’s image and status on the international stage.
Impressive real-world statistics from the first half of the year demonstrate Hai Phong's strong foreign affairs capacity. Specifically, in the first six months of 2026 alone, the city thoughtfully welcomed 145 international delegations with approximately 2,850 visitors from 28 countries and territories. Through these activities, the port city’s friendly relations and international cooperation agreements continue to be firmly consolidated and expanded.
A major focus of the working session was sharing practical results of foreign information work in Hai Phong. Recently, the city has paid special attention to thoroughly innovating both the content and methods of foreign-directed communication. Hai Phong actively promotes its development potential, outstanding economic strengths, and unique cultural, tourism, and heritage values to a global audience.
Additionally, the Department of Foreign Affairs shared its experiences in supporting foreign press agencies and journalists operating in the area. In the first six months of 2026, Hai Phong received and effectively supported 03 international press delegations with a total of 41 members conducting professional activities. Facilitating the work of foreign press has played an important role in presenting a dynamic, modern, and actively integrating image of Hai Phong to international friends. During the program, the Lao delegation also viewed a video clip visually introducing the outstanding socio-economic, cultural, and tourism achievements of the city.
Mr. Somkhit Vankham, Director General of the Press Department, gave a speech
Representing the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos, Mr. Somkhit Vankham, Director General of the Press Department, expressed gratitude for the solemn, thoughtful, and warm welcome from the Hai Phong Department of Foreign Affairs. He also briefly introduced the foreign information and press work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos and highlighted professional matters of mutual interest.
The two sides spent time in deep, candid discussions and shared valuable experiences regarding foreign information work. Specific topics included: coordination and support mechanisms for foreign journalists, effective communication methods for major foreign affairs events, and maximizing the role of mass media channels in promoting national and local images to the world.
These direct exchanges serve as a meaningful bridge, enhancing mutual understanding and learning between the diplomatic staff of the two countries. Furthermore, the event practically contributes to nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and close strategic bond between Vietnam and Laos in general, as well as between Hai Phong and Lao localities and partner agencies in particular.
To gain a more practical and profound insight into Hai Phong's tourism and heritage strengths, the Lao Press Department delegation visited the Cat Ba Archipelago and Lan Ha Bay on the morning of August 19, 2026. This field trip allowed the members of the Lao delegation to directly admire the magnificent natural landscapes and learn about the unique cultural and tourist values of Hai Phong. This firsthand experience of a beautiful heritage site, combined with the warm and hospitable reception from the people of the Port City, will serve as valuable material for the Lao diplomatic officials to continue propagating and promoting the image of Hai Phong to the people of Laos and international friends in the future.