Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith inspect the guard of honour at the welcome ceremony in Hanoi on June 28 (Photo: VNA)

Also present at the event were permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Vo Van Thuong, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Organisation Truong Thi Mai, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang, and Minister of Public Security To Lam, among others.

It is first overseas trip by Thongloun Sisoulith in his capacity as Lao Party General Secretary and President for the 2021 – 2026 term.

The visit aims to implement consistent foreign policy Laos and Vietnam in reserving and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation of the two countries.

It also provides an opportunity for the two countries to further exchange experience in development and accelerate the effective implementation of bilateral agreements in 2021 and beyond.

Following the welcome ceremony, the Lao leader and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong will have talks.