VIENTIANE — Vietnamese Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh concluded her official visit to Laos after leaving the country’s Luang Prabang Province yesterday.

She had a meeting with the staff of the Consulate General of Vietnam in Luang Prabang and representatives of Vietnamese people and businesses in the northern region of Laos.
She expressed appreciation for the patriotism and precious contributions of Vietnamese expatriates in Laos to the two countries’ special friendship.
The Party and State always pay attention to the interests and lives of overseas Vietnamese, including those in Laos, Thịnh stressed, adding that while talking to Laos’ central and local officials, Vietnamese leaders have always asked them to continue creating the best possible conditions for Vietnamese to live and work in the country.
At the meeting, Thịnh told Vietnamese people in Laos to maintain their solidarity and mutual support, uphold the homeland’s traditions, and respect and adhere to local law and customs, thus helping to enhance the two countries’ friendship.
She also called on Vietnamese businesses to step up investment and trade and actively take part in social activities, thereby contributing to socio-economic development in the northern region of Laos.
Earlier during her visit, Thịnh and Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Laos Pany Yathotou expressed their delight at closer ties between the two legislatures during a meeting in Vientiane on Wednesday. 
Both sides spoke highly of the sharing of information and expertise between the two legislatures’ units as well as effective cooperation in their external activities, especially at regional and global parliamentary forums such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. 
Meeting with President of the Lao Women’s Union (LWU) Central Committee Inlavan Keobounphan the same day, Thinh highly valued ties between LWU and the Vietnam Women’s Union in the cause of promoting gender equality, women emancipation, health care for women and children, and especially educating young generations about maintaining and upholding the tradition of bilateral special solidarity. 
In the afternoon, she visited the headquarters of the Star Telecom company – a joint venture with Vietnam’s military-run telecom provider Viettel. It is now the most modern Internet 4G service supplier with nearly 3 million subscribers, accounting for 52 percent of market share in Laos. — VNS