Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen emphasized that Vietnam and Laos are close neighboring countries with cultural similarities and long-standing ties throughout the history of nation building and defense of the two nations.

Over the past time, the cooperation  between the two capitals in particular and between Hanoi and localities of Laos in general has been continuously tightened, comprehensively developed on all channels, with many effective projects in most fields such as: economy, health, education, agriculture, military, people-to-people exchange.

Accordingly, Hanoi's export turnover to Laos in the first 6 months of 2022 reached US$74.8 million (accounting for 0.9% of Hanoi's total export turnover); Hanoi's import's  from Laos reached US$98.3 million (accounting for 0.48% of Hanoi's total import turnover).

On the basis of the close relationship between Vietnam and Laos in many fields, the relationship between Hanoi and Vientiane in recent years has also been incessantly  improved. Recently, under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the two capitals also promptly supported each other in funding and equipment for pandemic prevention and control.

In order to further tighten the relationship between the two parties, two countries and two peoples, within the framework of  the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Year 2022, Hanoi and Vientiane organizes a series of events, including an Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Conference themed "Hanoi - Vientiane, Cooperation for Development" and a photo exhibition and exhibition space  to introduce products of Hanoi and Vientiane.

At the conference, Quyen noted that on August 9, 2022, both sides signed four Memorandums of Understanding on the following contents: Implement financial support to build the headquarters of the Department of Justice and the Procuracy of Vientiane between the People's Committee of Hanoi and the Government of Vientiane for the period 2022 - 2025; Cooperation between Hanoi Youth Union and Vientiane Youth Union, period 2022-2025; Cooperation between Hoan Kiem District Party Committee and Chanthabuly district Party Committee, Vientiane capital, period 2022-2025; Cooperation between Le Hong Phong Staff Training School and the School of Politics- Administration of Vientiane, period 2022-2025.

In addition, within the framework of today's conference, there was also a signing ceremony of 03 Memoranda of Understanding between enterprises in Hanoi and Vientiane, including: Memorandum of Understanding on technical cooperation and promotion of agricultural production of goods for domestic distribution and export abroad, exchange of plain rice and glutinous rice between Phan Phet Agricultural Development One Member Limited Liability Company and Vilaconic Joint Stock Company; Memorandum of Understanding on processing and trading of Vila tissue products between Vila Paper Production and Trading Co., Ltd. and Vila Import-Export Sole Co.,Ltd; Memorandum of Understanding on the transfer of agricultural digital transformation software technology and linking the consumption chain of Vietnam - Laos agricultural products and specialties between Autoagri Software Technology Joint Stock Company and Sun Commercial Import-Export Joint Stock Company and Services.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen also emphasized that this is an opportunity for the Party committees and authorities of the two localities to contact and exchange useful information about investment opportunities and preferential policies to attract investment of Hanoi and Vientiane. At the same time, it is a bridge for businesses to meet and find potential partners in many areas of strength of the two localities.

Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee hopes that, in the coming time, Hanoi and Vientiane will deploy more activities to promote the cooperation between the two cities, making them more practical and  effective in the future; continue to open a new and dynamic period of development, for the benefit of the people of each country, for the peace, stability and common prosperity of the region.

On behalf of the Party Committee and Government of Vientiane, Phouvong Vongkhamsao, Standing Member, Vice-Chairman of Vientiane Capital, stated that the Vietnam - Laos friendship has been cultivated by the great leaders as President Ho. In Ho Chi Minh City, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong  and were built, preserved, and nurtured with sweat, effort and blood of generations of soldiers and people of the two countries.

Phouvong Vongkhamsao hoped that the two capitals Hanoi - Vientiane would concretize the results of this Conference for mutual benefits.