Director Nguyen Hung Son Receives Director of the Lao Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA)

Welcoming the Director of IFA on her visit and working session, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son extended warm congratulations on the 50^th National Day of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The Director of DAV affirmed with pleasure that Vietnam-Laos cooperation continues to develop across all fields, especially in politics and diplomacy, to which the two Diplomatic Academies have actively contributed in nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Dr. Nguyen Hung Son emphasized that the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam always values and prioritizes cooperation activities with IFA, from academic exchanges and research to training and capacity building for diplomatic personnel. Many generations of Lao students studying at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam have achieved excellent results, making practical contributions to the socio-economic development and relations of the two countries. In implementation of the high-level leadership's direction on upgrading relations and promoting strategic cohesion, the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam will continue to pay deep attention to Lao students and officials coming to study and update their knowledge and skills in foreign affairs.

For her part, IFA Director Vithaya Xayavong expressed gratitude for the warm reception and pleasure at visiting the Academy. She highly appreciated and valued the close cooperation between the DAV and IFA on the foundation of the close relationship between the two countries. The Director of IFA expressed hope that in the coming time, the two sides will continue to strengthen research, training and capacity-building activities, and effectively implement the Cooperation Agreement between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs for the 2026-2030 period (signed on December 1, 2025) and the content exchanged at this Ministerial-Level Political Consultation.

The two sides agreed to continue promoting comprehensive cooperation between the DAV and IFA, strengthening scholar diplomacy exchanges, while soon conducting the Annual Dialogue to exchange more deeply on the world and regional situation. DAV and IFA will also expand cooperation within the Mekong sub-regional mechanisms, thereby proposing concrete solutions to promote Vietnam-Laos relations in the new period.

The meeting concluded in a warm and trusting atmosphere, affirming the determination of the both sides to contribute to nurturing the special Vietnam-Laos relationship for continued development./.