Ho Chi Minh City shares development experience, strengthens bilateral ties with Laos’ Houaphanh

The session was chaired by Nguyen Loc Ha, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, with representatives from municipal departments and agencies.

The Houaphanh delegation was led by Bounvixay Kongpaly, vice-chairman of the provincial Administration Committee.

Ha highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between Vietnam and Laos, noting that Houaphanh, home to historical sites such as Xam Neua and Vieng Xay, is closely associated with the two countries’ previous wartime alliance.

He said this shared legacy continues to guide the province’s development efforts.

Ha congratulated Houaphanh on its achievements despite challenges from mountainous terrain, extensive forests, and global economic uncertainties, noting stable growth in 2021-25 and progress in governance, social stability, and administrative reform.

He reaffirmed the city’s readiness to share practical experience with Houaphanh in socio-economic development, investment promotion, public financial management, tourism, and external relations.

Following its recent merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau in July, Ho Chi Minh City has become an administrative unit of special scale, home to over 14 million people and boasting an estimated GRDP of US$120 billion, representing roughly 23.5 percent of Vietnam’s GDP, Ha said.

In 2025, the city recorded 8.03 percent GRDP growth, attracted more than $8.16 billion in FDI, achieved nearly $96 billion in export turnover, and welcomed about 8.5 million international visitors.

Looking ahead, the city’s 2026 development theme focuses on unlocking institutional bottlenecks, mobilizing resources, creating infrastructure breakthroughs, and improving service efficiency.

In response, Kongpaly thanked Ho Chi Minh City’s leaders for their warm reception, saying the visit was meant to translate commitments under the previous bilateral memorandum of understanding into concrete actions.

He described Ho Chi Minh City as a valuable reference model for Lao localities due to its scale and dynamic growth.

Kongpaly welcomed cooperation results in 2022-25, especially support for infrastructure and human resource training, and highlighted the benefits of study opportunities for Houaphanh students in the city as a foundation for sustainable development.

He added that Houaphanh, a mountainous province with about 300,000 people across 700 villages, holds strong potential in agriculture, processing industries, tourism, and clean energy.

The delegation hopes to learn from Ho Chi Minh City’s experience in these areas for its 2026-30 development plans.

Concluding the session, Ha reaffirmed Ho Chi Minh City’s commitment to expanding cooperation and sharing development experience with Houaphanh, contributing to deeper local ties and the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.