Champasak high-level delegation pays working visit to Dong Nai

A high-level delegation from Champasak province, Lao People's Democratic Republic, led by Dr. Alounxay Sounnalath, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary of the Champasak provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, paid a working visit to Dong Nai City on June 29.

Ton Ngoc Hanh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Chairwoman of the City People's Council, addresses the working session. Photo: Ho Thao

Receiving and working with the delegation were Ton Ngoc Hanh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai City Party Committee (CPC) and Chairwoman of the City People's Council; Dang Minh Nguyet, Member of the CPC’s Standing Board and Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the City People's Council; Ha Anh Dung, Member of the CPC’s Standing Board and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee (VFF) of Dong Nai City; and Tran Van Mi, the CPC member and Vice Chairman of the City People's Council.

Dr. Alounxay Sounnalath, Secretary of the Champasak provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Council, speaks at the meeting. Photo: Ho Thao

At the meeting, Dr. Alounxay Sounnalath expressed his appreciation for the warm and thoughtful reception extended by Dong Nai City's leaders. He appreciated the arrangement for the delegation to meet Vietnamese veterans and former military experts who had served on international missions in Laos. He also expressed deep emotion at paying tribute to President Ho Chi Minh, reaffirming his commitment, together with future generations in Champasak, to preserving and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The Champasak leader congratulated Dong Nai on its remarkable socio-economic achievements, as well as its progress in restructuring administrative units and building a new model of local government. He also highlighted Champasak's strengths in agriculture, trade, services, tourism and logistics, while sharing the province's initial achievements in administrative reform and socio-economic development.

Dr. Alounxay Sounnalath also expressed his hope that the two localities would further expand cooperation across various sectors, strengthen exchanges of experience in the organization and operation of their People's Councils, particularly in supervisory activities. He also called on Dong Nai to support the training and capacity-building of grassroots officials and cooperate in developing model communes and wards. He said such cooperation would make ties between the two localities more in-depth, substantive and effective.

Dong Nai leader presents gifts to the leader of Champasak province. Photo: Ho Thao

Addressing the meeting, Ton Ngoc Hanh stressed that Vietnam and Laos are close brotherly neighbors whose great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation were founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong, and generations of leaders from both Parties and States.

She described the relationship as an invaluable asset of both nations and a solid foundation for localities in the two countries to expand cooperation across a wide range of fields.

She noted that 2027 will mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Laos and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam–Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Since establishing cooperative ties in 2011, Dong Nai and Champasak have maintained close cooperation based on sincerity, mutual trust and shared development, contributing to the special relationship between the two countries.

Phonsy Bounmixay, Consul General of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Ho Chi Minh City, presents gifts to the leader of Dong Nai City. Photo: Ho Thao

Providing an overview of the city's development, Ton Ngoc Hanh said that following the reorganization of administrative units and the implementation of the two-tier local government model, Dong Nai has entered a new stage of development, enabling it to make better use of its strategic advantages and growth potential.

 Since April 30, 2026, Dong Nai has officially become Vietnam's seventh city and is steadily affirming its role as a dynamic growth pole, as well as a major industrial, logistics and innovation hub in the Southeast region and the country. In addition, the city possesses considerable potential in high-tech agriculture, processing industries, eco-tourism, cultural tourism and the digital economy, all of which offer ample opportunities for expanded cooperation with Champasak province in the years ahead.

Delegates attend the working session. Photo: Ho Thao

Delegates pose for a commemorative photo at the meeting. Photo: Ho Thao

Introducing the organization and operation of the Dong Nai City People's Council, Ton Ngoc Hanh said the municipal People’s Council continues to innovate its working methods under the motto "Action – Courage – Professionalism," while embracing the guiding principle of "creating momentum for development."

In addition to deciding major socio-economic guidelines and policies, the municipal People’s Council has strengthened oversight, worked closely with local authorities to remove bottlenecks, accelerated administrative reform and digital transformation, and ensured that voters' legitimate concerns are promptly addressed.

Delegates from Champasak province and Dong Nai City pose for a commemorative photo at the headquarters of the Dong Nai CPC. Photo: Ho Thao

Ton Ngoc Hanh expressed her confidence that the practical experience accumulated by the People's Councils of Dong Nai City and Champasak province would complement each other and enrich the ongoing renewal of elected bodies in both localities.

She also voiced her hope that the two sides would continue increasing delegation exchanges, sharing experience in the organization and operation of People's Councils, and expanding cooperation in the areas of economy, investment, agriculture, tourism, human resource development and local governance. She hoped that closer cooperation would continue to strengthen the enduring friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Laos.

 As part of the working visit, the Champasak delegation offered incense at Tran Bien Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Memorial House at the headquarters of the Dong Nai CPC earlier the same morning.

Delegates visit and offer incense at Tran Bien Temple of Literature. Photo: Ho Thao

By Ho Thao – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha