With the ongoing maintenance and consolidation of a strong friendship, Hai Phong is vigorously promoting comprehensive cooperation with Lao localities in the new context, deepening and enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation based on the realities of both sides.
Over the years, the friendship and cooperation between Hai Phong and Lao localities have continuously developed and achieved significant results, particularly with Vientiane Province and Oudomxay Province. According to Nguyen Thi Bich Dung, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the two sides have maintained regular exchanges of information, organized virtual connections, and exchanged congratulatory messages and inquiries between Party agencies, governments, and citizens to enhance friendship, solidarity, and mutual understanding.
In cooperation between Hai Phong and the two Lao provinces, education and training cooperation is considered a highlight. Since 2016, under the signed friendship and cooperation agreements, Hai Phong annually receives students from Vientiane and Oudomxay for studies. Currently, there are over 100 Lao students studying in Hai Phong under city-provided scholarships. After completing Vietnamese language courses, these students are granted scholarships to continue undergraduate or postgraduate education. Thanks to the city leadership’s close guidance and the attention of departments, agencies, and universities, the academic and training outcomes of Lao students have shown positive improvements.
To further nurture and promote the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Hai Phong and Lao localities, alongside Party and State diplomatic channels, Hai Phong places significant emphasis on people-to-people diplomacy. Various activities are organized annually by the city's Union of Friendship Organizations in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association.
Notable activities include:
- Friendship exchanges between former Vietnamese experts and voluntary soldiers in Laos and Lao students in Hai Phong.
- Celebrations of the Lao traditional Bunpimay New Year for Lao students studying in Hai Phong.
- Traditional education activities for Lao students, cultural exchanges, gratitude programs, and visits to former battlefields and Lao provinces with ties to Hai Phong (Vientiane, Oudomxay).
- Visits to Lao mothers who supported Vietnamese soldiers during the resistance war for national salvation.
These efforts have contributed to consolidating and nurturing the special Vietnam-Laos relationship. Thongkham Seepasert, a Lao student at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the care and guidance from teachers and the support from Vietnamese students, which has created the best conditions for Lao students during their studies in Hai Phong.
At a meeting with the delegation of the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity led by Sommad Pholsena, Vice President of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity, Mr. Le Tien Chau, Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee, emphasized that Hai Phong has continuously strengthened its traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Lao localities.
The city has enhanced information exchange and promoted awareness throughout the political system and citizenry, aiming to deepen the special Vietnam-Laos relationship and the friendship between Hai Phong and the provinces of Vientiane and Oudomxay. Hai Phong has effectively carried out educational cooperation activities, providing Vietnamese language and higher education training for Lao students. Additionally, people-to-people diplomacy activities, spearheaded by the city's Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, have fostered deeper, more practical, and effective cooperation across all fields.
Looking ahead, Hai Phong remains committed to nurturing and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. Meeting the needs of information exchange and economic cooperation development between Hai Phong and Lao localities will continue to be a priority.