Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng meets Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

VIENTIANE — Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith and Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith hosted separate receptions in Vientiane on Tuesday for a high-level delegation from the National Assembly of Việt Nam led by Vice Chairwoman Tòng Thị Phóng. 
The Lao leaders spoke highly of the Vietnamese delegation’s official visit to Laos, expressing their belief that it will significantly contribute to enhancing the traditional friendship between the two Parties, States and people of the two nations. 
Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith said he was delighted to see the development of cooperative ties between Việt Nam and Laos in various fields, especially relations between the two legislative agencies thanks to the regular exchange of delegations, organisation of workshops to share experiences in law-making, and mutual assistance at regional and global forums. 
He took this occasion to thank the Party, National Assembly and Government of Việt Nam for their great assistance to Laos in the past, particularly in building a new National Assembly House for Laos and constructing schools in Bolikhamsay and Champasak provinces as gifts presented by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and President Trần Đại Quang. 
The top Lao leader also thanked Việt Nam for enabling Laos to develop wharves at Vũng Áng port in the central province of Hà Tĩnh, which is vital for the shipment of Lao goods. 
For her part, NA Vice Chairwoman Phóng affirmed that the visit aims to reinforce the long-standing friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Việt Nam and Laos as well as promote the sound collaboration between the two legislative bodies. 
She briefed the Lao leaders about the outcomes of her talks with Lao counterpart Sengnuon Sayalat and the discussion on sharing Việt Nam’s experience in taking votes of confidence on persons holding positions elected or ratified by the NA and the provincial People’s Councils. 
The legislator thanked the Lao government for promptly removing difficulties for Vietnamese businesses to make long-term investments in Laos and providing more assistance for the Vietnamese community in Laos. — VNS