Receiving the delegation were Mr. Le Quang Manh, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Can Tho municipal Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Can Tho city; Mr. Tran Viet Truong, Deputy Secretary of the Can Tho municipal Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho city; Mr. Nguyen Trung Nhan, Member of Standing Committee of the Can Tho municipal Party Committee, Chairman of Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Can Tho city; Colonel Chiem Thong Nhat, Member of the Standing Committee of the Can Tho municipal Party Committee, Commander of the Military Command of Can Tho city…

The year 2022 is of great significance for Vietnam and Laos, marking the 60th anniversary of the two countries' establishment of diplomatic relations (September 5th, 1962 - September 5th, 2022), the 45 anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos (July 18th, 1977 - July 18th, 2022) and also the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year. Therefore, the visit of a high-level delegation of Champasak province (Laos) is even more meaningful, not only tightening the solidarity and friendship between the two localities but also promoting multi-field cooperation between the two sides in the coming time.

Mr. Le Quang Manh, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Can Tho municipal Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Can Tho city, spoke at the event.

Mr. Tran Viet Truong, Deputy Secretary of the Can Tho municipal Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho city, said: “Looking back on the history of the past 60 years, we are very proud when the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the Party, State and people of the two countries Vietnam - Laos have become an exemplary relationship in international relations. The spirit of solidarity, loyalty, and mutual support is one of the factors that help increase strength and contribute to the victory of the two countries in national defense and development.

Mr. Vilayvong Bouddakham, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, the Governor of Champasak Province highly appreciated the friendship and cooperation that increasingly goes into the depth between the two localities.

From a local perspective, Chairman Tran Viet Truong said that Can Tho city and Champasak province have had a very good cooperative relationship over the years. In 2011, the two localities signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in such fields as Economy - Trade; aquaculture; agriculture and rural development; education and training; tourism, etc. The two sides have effectively implemented the signed contents.

Can Tho and Champasak are also two localities with many similarities in terms of potential, advantages and development orientation. Specifically, Can Tho city is the hub of the Mekong Delta region in terms of geographical location, economic, cultural and social aspects. With abundant natural resources, Can Tho city has many potentials and advantages for the development of agriculture, industry, tourism, trade connection and international cooperation.

Meanwhile, Champasak is also a locality with a strategic geographical position. The province is located at the intersection of the East-West Corridor (Road No.16) and the North-South Corridor (Road No.13), with the Mekong River flowing across the center of the province. Champasak is an important transport hub with an international airport in Pakse provincial Town and has many developing industries such as hydropower, gold exploitation, micro-biological fertilizer production, wood processing, and gold and silver crafting. With rich and diverse resources, Champasak is one of the largest rice granaries of Laos. It also has many famous scenic spots for tourism development such as World Cultural Heritage Site Wat Phu and Khone Waterfall Pha Pheng… and is also oriented to be the economic center and driving force of Southern Laos.

According to Mr. Tran Viet Truong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho city, the similarities in potential and development orientation are the foundation for Can Tho and Champasak to promote multi-field cooperation in the coming time.

On behalf of the high-ranking delegation of Champasak province, Mr. Vilayvong Bouddakham, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, the Governor of Champasak Province, expressed his delight at the warm welcome of Can Tho city’s leaders and highly appreciated the solidarity, friendship and close cooperation between the two localities. Mr. Vilayvong Bouddakham also thanked Can Tho City for actively helping and supporting Champasak province in transferring scientific and technical advances in the field of agriculture and sending a delegation of experts to the locality to provide technical guidance. rice cultivation and other fields in agriculture for the people. In addition, Can Tho city also actively supports the locality in the prevention and control of COVID-19. Mr. Vilayvong Bouddakham also spent time introducing potentials and advantages in attracting foreign businesses to invest in the locality, including Can Tho city.

At the meeting

At the meeting, the two localities discussed cooperation contents for the period of 2022 - 2026 in the following fields: politics; human resource training; investment, economic development; friendship, and social security. Mr. Le Quang Manh, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Can Tho municipal Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Can Tho city, said that the two sides should soon complete the procedures to be able to sign the Memorandum of Understanding as soon as possible and effectively implement the agreed areas.