Within the framework of their working trip to Viet Nam, a delegation from the Lao National Assembly (NA)’s Ethnic Affairs Committee, led by its Chairman Khamchanh Sotapaserth, met with Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary cum People’s Council Chairman Luong Nguyen Minh Triet in the city on Friday.

Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary cum People’s Council Chairman Luong Nguyen Minh Triet (right) and Chairman of the Lao National Assembly (NA)’s Ethnic Affairs Committee Khamchanh Sotapaserth

Highly commending Da Nang’s outstanding socio-economic achievements in recent times, Chairman Khamchanh Sotapaserth said that the purpose of his visit was to learn about some economic, cultural, tourism and new-style rural area development models in Da Nang.

He also took the opportunity to thank the city's government and its people for special care and supportive cooperation for Laos, especially its south-central provinces.

In reply, Deputy Secretary Triet affirmed that Da Nang was identified as the growth nucleus of a key economic zone in Central Viet Nam. In the first half of the year, Da Nang's GRDP growth rate increased by 3.74%. The scale of the city's economy expanded by more than VND5,318 billion compared to the same period in 2022.

Officials of Da Nang and Lao National Assembly (NA)’s Ethnic Affairs Committee posing for a group photo

According to Mr. Triet, the city has so far signed 30 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with seven Laotian localities, namely Vientiane, Xaynhaburi, Savannakhet, Champasak, Sekong, Salavan and Attapeu.

Notably, the 5-year cooperation programmes between Da Nang and five south-central provinces of Laos (Savannakhet, Champasak, Sekong, Salavan and Attapeu) have been effectively implemented over the past years. These programmes have been focusing on building and upgrading schools, public works and Vietnamese Language centers; granting scholarships for Lao students in Da Nang; sending Vietnamese teachers to Laos-based Vietnamese Language Centers; receiving Lao officials to practice and learn from experience in Da Nang; and providing active support for farming and animal husbandry.

In particular, the cooperation programmes for the 2018-2022 period between Da Nang and 5 south-central provinces of Laos costed VND115.924 billion.

Reporting by T.HUY - Translating by M.DUNG