President Thongloun Sisoulith showing some locally made products to the Brunei leader and his delegation during their visit to Vangvieng on Oct 4. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The leaders of Laos and Brunei, along with delegations from the two governments, on Wednesday (Oct 4) took a train trip from Vientiane to Vangvieng on the high-speed Laos-China railway.
The excursion was arranged during a state visit to Laos by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei from Oct 2-4.
The aim of the historic trip was for President Thongloun Sisoulith to show the Sultan the spectacular scenery, verdant rice fields, and scenes of everyday life along the route of the railway.
Upon their arrival in Vangvieng, Laos’ tourism hotspot, the delegations were welcomed by the Governor of Vientiane province, Khamphanh Sitthidampha.
The group took a tour around the scenic riverside town, admiring the area’s iconic karst outcrops and stopping to take photos.
They also visited the Lao agriculture and handicraft exhibition centre, to observe rice, coffee, tea, silk, wooden and other products on display.
Vangvieng is a popular tourist destination and is renowned for its striking scenery and adventure activities such as tubing, kayaking, zip-lining and rock climbing.
More than 300,000 tourists visited Vangvieng district in the first six months of this year, of whom more than 100,000 were foreign nationals.
District authorities have made numerous improvements to facilities and services, hoping to make a great impression on visitors during Visit Laos Year 2024.
While in Vientiane, the Sultan received courtesy visits from Lao state leaders, including Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and the President of the National Assembly, Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
The leaders of Laos and Brunei reaffirmed their intention to strengthen relations and cooperation between their two countries, and officially elevated their ties to a strategic partnership.
On behalf of the Lao government and people, Prime Minister Sonexay expressed his deep appreciation of the Bruneian delegation’s visit to Laos, saying it was a positive step in enhancing friendship and bilateral cooperation.
He especially praised the elevation of the two countries’ ties to that of a strategic partnership, which also marks the 30th anniversary of Laos-Brunei diplomatic relations.
The two sides agreed to foster further cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, transport services, clean agriculture, production of goods for export, energy, public health, and green tourism.
With both parties expressing gratitude for their mutual support, the Lao leaders stressed their appreciation of Brunei’s assistance in various areas of Laos’ development, especially education and human resources development.
The Sultan conveyed his deep gratitude for the Lao government’s decision to award him a national gold medal in recognition of his great contribution to enhancing the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
He also reaffirmed Brunei’s support for Laos’ chairmanship of Asean next year. The Lao government invited high-ranking Bruneian delegations and the people of Brunei to visit Laos during Visit Laos Year 2024.
Following their return to Vientiane from Vangvieng by rail on Wednesday afternoon, the Sultan and his delegation returned home after being accompanied to Wattay International Airport by Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Saleumxay Kommasith.
