Last Saturday, the Viet Nam - Laos Cultural and Cuisine Exchange Festival took place in Da Nang on the occasion of the upcoming traditional Lao Bunpimay New Year Festival 2019 (13-15 April).

Mr Viengxay Phommachanh (right) binding thread on Vice Chairman Mine’s wrist for good luck

The event was co-hosted by the municipal Union of Friendship Organisations (DAFO), the Laos Consulate General in the city and the municipal Women's Union.

In his remarks at the event, municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Van Mien expressed his delight at the fruitful results from the bilateral cooperation with Laotian localities in such aspects as politics, security, and defence, economy, and culture.

He, also, highly appreciated Lao Consul General Viengxay Phommachanh for his great efforts in boosting the bilateral exchange activities between the two localities.

In reply, Mr Viengxay Phommachanh said Da Nang has signed a total of 30 agreements and memoranda of understanding with many Laotian localities. These agreements have mainly focused on some aspects, including production, business planning support, agriculture, healthcare, education, culture, and society.

“Currently, 4 companies from Da Nang are implementing construction projects in Laos. Since 2002, nearly 750 Laotian students have been studying at member schools of the University of Da Nang, 194 of them have received scholarships from the municipal People’s Committee”, he added.

The Lao diplomat took the opportunity to thank the leaders and people of Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole, for their active support for his country over recent years.

He hoped that the bilateral friendship and cooperation relations with Da Nang would be deepened in the coming time.