Vietnam’s Party chief To Lam chairs welcome ceremony for top Lao leader

The Lao leader and his spouse Naly Sisoulith are on a two-day state visit to Vietnam.

At around 9:00 am, the motorcade carrying General Secretary and President Sisoulith and his spouse arrived at the Presidential Palace.

Inside the palace grounds, an honor guard of the Vietnam People’s Army and senior officials from both countries stood at attention to receive the Lao leader.

Party chief Lam and his spouse welcomed the Lao leader and his spouse at the foot of the steps.

The two leaders and their spouses walked along the red carpet to the ceremonial podium amid the strains of welcoming military music.

Children from Hanoi, waving the national flags of Vietnam and Laos, greeted the leaders with warm smiles.

The two leaders then ascended the honor platform as the national anthems of Vietnam and Laos were played, accompanied by a 21-gun salute.

Following the ceremony, they reviewed the honor guard of the Vietnam People’s Army and introduced members of their respective delegations.

After the welcome ceremony, General Secretary Lam and General Secretary and President Sisoulith departed the Presidential Palace for the headquarters of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee for official talks.

Large numbers of Vietnamese citizens lined the streets, waving the flags of both countries to greet the leaders, who responded with friendly waves.

General Secretary and President Sisoulith is the first foreign head of state to visit Vietnam following the 14th National Party Congress, which wrapped up on Friday last week.

The visit is of special significance, vividly reflecting the exemplary and rare relationship in international relations between Vietnam and Laos.

Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh affirmed that the visit not only aims to congratulate Vietnam on the great success of the 14th National Party Congress, but also demonstrates the high level of political trust and the long-term strategic commitment between the two Parties, states, and peoples.

“Laos’ decision to choose Vietnam as its first destination after the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party earlier this year underscores the priority Laos places on its relationship with Vietnam in its foreign policy,” said the ambassador.

Accompanying General Secretary and President Sisoulith and his spouse on this visit are five members of the Politburo of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, along with many leaders of key ministries, departments, and localities of Laos.

The Lao leader and his spouse arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Monday morning to begin their state visit to Vietnam.

They were welcomed at the airport by Politburo members Do Van Chien, Standing Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly, and Le Hoai Trung, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as Secretary of Party Central Committee and Vice-State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.

Head of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam also greeted the Lao delegation.