Deputy minister of the ministry Nguyễn Minh Hồng speaks at a press conference held in Hà Nội on November 13.— Photo vietnamnet.vn

HÀ NỘI — The northwestern province of Điện Biên will host a festival to strengthen the friendship between Việt Nam and Laos on December 4 and 5, leaders from the Ministry of Information & Communications announced at a press conference held in Hà Nội on November 13.

The event, the first of its kind, is a joint effort between the ministry and the provincial authorities, said Đoàn Công Huynh, head of the organising board and director of the ministry’s Authority of Foreign Information Service.

According to Nguyễn Minh Hồng, deputy minister of the ministry, the event aims to promote the image of Việt Nam, with advances in renovation, development, and strong international integration to Laotian friends as well as strengthen the solidarity, friendship and special and comprehensive co-operation between Việt Nam and Laos.

The event also celebrates the 56th anniversary of the two country’s diplomatic ties (1962-2018), as well as the 41st anniversary of the Friendship & Co-operation Treaty between the two countries (1977-2018).

“Organised in Điện Biên City, the event includes a series of art shows, exhibitions, and trade fairs,” Hồng said. “It will offer a chance for domestic and Laotian enterprises to exchange with those based in Điện Biên.”

A photo exhibition on the Việt Nam – Laos relationship will be a highlight, together with a fair introducing tourism, culture, local delicacies, and an art exchange. Workshops on promoting investment, trade and tourism for Điện Biên Province will gather representatives from the National Authority of Tourism (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), Việt Nam Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade), enterprises with experience in developing economies in mountainous regions and concerned agencies in Điện Biên Province.

“The event will help enhance international relationships in border provinces, in order to ensure national sovereignty, independence and peace in the region and enhance Việt Nam’s prestige in the region and the world,” Hồng stressed.

Nguyễn Hùng Cường, deputy director of Điện Biên Province’s Information & Communications Department told Việt Nam News that the organising board intends to invite hundreds of leaders and representatives from some provinces and enterprises in Laos.

The event expects to receive thousands of tourists as well.

Last year, the province received 600,000 tourists, a 25 per cent increase against 2016.

Total income from tourism last year accounted for VNĐ950 billion (US$40.680 million), a 33.8 per cent increase against the previous year.

The province intends to develop tourism into a key economic sector, according to Cường. — VNS