National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân (r) welcomes newly-appointed Lao Ambassador to Việt Nam Sengphet Houngboungnuang in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and Laos should start sharing legislative experience and promote locality-to-locality collaboration in 2020 as well as increasing the exchange of delegations, a top legislator has said.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân made the statement at a reception for newly-appointed Lao Ambassador to Việt Nam Sengphet Houngboungnuang in Hà Nội yesterday.
She said Việt Nam was willing to share its experience in operating People’s Councils, particularly in major cities. 
The top legislator described 2020 as a significant year for both Việt Nam and Laos as the two countries are preparing for the organisation of Party Congresses at all levels, heading towards the 11th National Party Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the 13th National Party Congress of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV), as well as the election of the ninth National Assembly of Laos and 15th National Assembly of Việt Nam. Therefore, there will be a lot of co-operation activities between the two Parties and nations throughout the year, she said.

The Chairwoman expressed her pleasure at the outcomes in bilateral co-operation in recent years, especially in economy, trade and investment.

The two sides regularly exchanged delegations and organised workshops to share knowledge and experience in carrying out legislative activities and inspecting and making decisions on major issues, she said.

The National Assembly of Việt Nam would create the best conditions for the Lao ambassador to fulfil his missions and connect the two Parties, States and nations, the lawmaker said.

For his part, the Lao diplomat said he had witnessed a lot of co-operation between the two countries in 2019, including the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the traditional day of Vietnamese soldiers in Laos (October 30, 1949). Such activities demonstrated the close-knit ties between Việt Nam and Laos, he said.

He pledged to do his utmost to develop the bilateral friendship. — VNS