Work starts on Lao NA building, a symbol of Vietnam-Laos special relations

The ground was broken for the Lao National Assembly (NA) building in Vientiane on November 1, in the presence of the Party, State and NA leaders of both Vietnam and Laos.

The Party, State and NA leaders of Vietnam and Laos at the ground-breaking ceremony.
The Party, State and NA leaders of Vietnam and Laos at the ground-breaking ceremony.

The project is a gift from the Vietnamese Party, State and people to the Lao Party, State and people, and is also a symbol of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation that exists between the two Parties, Governments, NAs and peoples.

The ceremony was attended by Bounnhang Volachith, Lao General Secretary and President; Pany Yathotou, Lao NA Chairwoman; and Sonesay Siphandone, Lao Deputy Prime Minister, alongside the Vietnamese leaders, including NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung.

During his official visit to Laos in 2016, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong announced the decision of the Vietnamese Party, State and people to gift the Lao Party, State and people a NA building, worth roughly US$100 million, located at That Luang Square in the centre of Vientiane.

Over the past few months, the two countries’ agencies have worked closely together in order to reach consensus on a number of important contents. A steering committee has been established in each country, aimed at fostering direct coordination in directing the relevant issues. Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung heads Vietnam’s steering committee, while the steering committee of the Lao side is led by NA Vice Chairman Somphanh Phengkhammy.

The new Lao NA building will cover an area of 23,400 square metres in the exact location of the old NA building in That Luang Square and the dismantling and land clearance work of the old NA building has already been complete.

Addressing the ground-breaking ceremony, Lao NA Vice Chairman Somphanh Phengkhammy expressed his deep gratitude for the invaluable gift presented to the Lao Party, State and people by the Vietnamese Party, State and people.

The new NA building will serve as a symbol of the friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Laos, and will become an invaluable asset for future generations to continue to preserve, study and research, he said.

Phengkhammy stated that the project would contribute to the success of the Vietnam-Laos and Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017, whilst working to further deepen the traditional friendship and special solidarity between the two brotherly countries.

For his part, Deputy PM Dung affirmed that Vietnam is always proud to have Laos as a faithful friend, a close brother and comrade during the country’s past struggle for national independence, as well as in its current process of national construction and protection.

The Vietnam-Laos relationship is a truly an exemplary one and an invaluable asset that needs to be cherished, respected and passed down to future generations, he said, adding that the construction of the Lao NA building will significantly contribute to developing the special Vietnam-Laos relations, for the prosperity and happiness of the two countries’ peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and around the world.

* At a meeting earlier on October 31, Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung and Lao NA Vice Chairman Somphanh Phengkhammy agreed on the key principles and contents, as well as the major issues, that should be prioritised during the implementation of the project.

Delegates perform ground-breaking rituals.

Work starts on Lao NA building, a symbol of Vietnam-Laos special relations	 ảnh 2

Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung speaks at the ceremony.