Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang (right) presents a gift to Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Laos.
On April 6, Vu Dai Thang, member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, received a delegation from the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment led by Linkham Douangsavanh, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Laos.
The Lao delegation visited and exchanged views on the implementation of the Vietnam-Laos cooperation agreement for the 2026–2030 period, the status of Vietnamese investment in Laos and opportunities to attract more investment from Vietnam, particularly Hanoi, especially in agriculture.
Minister Linkham Douangsavanh expressed appreciation for the warm reception from Chairman Vu Dai Thang and said the delegation had visited several localities in Vietnam to exchange experience.
Currently, Vietnam is among the countries with the largest number of investors in Laos, with 276 enterprises and total registered capital exceeding $6.21 billion across sectors such as agriculture, banking, construction and energy projects.
Overview of the meeting.
Douangsavanh noted that Laos is restructuring its ministries, expanding the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
He added that, beyond cultivation and forestry, Laos will prioritize land-related projects to better respond to climate change.
In the coming period, the Lao Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will continue to create more favorable conditions for Vietnamese investors, especially in forestry, industry and agriculture.
"We will facilitate projects of all sizes, from remote areas to border regions," Douangsavanh emphasized.
Recognizing the positive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, he urged Chairman Vu Dai Thang to continue promoting and introducing Hanoi-based enterprises to invest in Laos, particularly in organic agriculture and rubber production.
He also noted that the Lao and Vietnamese ministries are expected to meet in May or June to further discuss environmental and agricultural cooperation.
He expressed his wish for the continued strengthening of the traditional friendship and special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam and invited Chairman Vu Dai Thang to visit Laos in the near future.
Expressing appreciation for the Minister's remarks, Chairman Vu Dai Thang stated that many Hanoi enterprises are already investing in Laos across sectors, including finance, agriculture and wind energy, creating favorable conditions to expand further investment.
According to Thang, with a population of over 12 million, Hanoi represents a major consumption market for agricultural products from across Vietnam and a promising market for Lao agricultural products that meet standards.
Hanoi and Lao delegations join a group photo.
He added that improved transportation connectivity between Hanoi and Lao localities provides favorable conditions to promote agricultural cooperation, particularly trade in agricultural goods.
Emphasizing the strong relationship between the two capitals, Thang said Hanoi has committed to supporting Vientiane in upgrading irrigation systems for agricultural development.
Hanoi will also share experience and provide guidance on rural development programs, including transferring models used in Hanoi to Vientiane.
Affirming that cooperation between the two capitals reflects the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, Thang expressed his hope that bilateral ties will continue to grow stronger.