A corner of the general hall inside the Laos' National Assembly building. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

VIENTIANNE — A ceremony was held in Vientiane on Saturday to hand over the new National Assembly Building to the Lao legislature, which is a gift from the Vietnamese Party, State and people. 

The hand-over was made on time to serve the first session of the 9th Lao National Assembly.

The ceremony was attended by Vietnamese Minister of Construction Lê Quang Hùng; Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Somphanh Phengkhammy; and Major General Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, Commander of the Army Corps 11, the general contractor of the project.

Talking to a Vietnam News Agency reporter at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Lao NA and head of the steering committee for the new NA Building project Somphanh Phengkhammy appreciated the efforts of the project’s management board, the investor and related units, particularly the general contractor – Army Corps 11 of Việt Nam.

He stressed that despite the great impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the supply of materials and equipment as well as the sending of technical staff to the construction site, the contractor’s workers had worked round the clock to ensure the progress of the project.

Even though the project has not been completed 100 per cent, the building is ready for use at the first session of the 9th legislature of Laos, which is a very important event when the legislature will not only elect key leaders of the Lao NA and Government but also adopt the ninth five-year socio-economic development plan for Laos.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Construction Lê Quang Hùng said after the first session of the Lao NA, the remaining work will be carried out for the full completion of the project by the end of June.

The Lao NA Building, constructed at a cost of over US$111 million, will be the venue for meetings of the Lao NA and important ceremonies. It will also serve cultural tours and research trips of people, students and tourists.

The building is a meaningful present and a symbol of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. — VNS