Welcoming and working with the Son La delegation were Khampheng Xaysompheng, member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Houaphanh and leaders of departments and agencies in the Lao province.

At the talks, the heads of the Son La and Houaphanh delegations informed each other about their respective localities’ socio-economic development situation; exchanged experience in building the Party, administration and political system; and assessed the results of cooperation between the two provinces in the 2022-2024 period.

Speaking at the event, Khampheng Xaysompheng expressed his pleasure to welcome the high-ranking delegation of Son La province, describing it as an important event that contributes to strengthening and deepening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Party organisations, authorities and people of the two provinces.

Nguyen Huu Dong thanked the Party organisation, administration and people of Houaphanh province for their special sentiments given to their Son La counterparts. He congratulated Houaphanh on achievements it has made in recent times and expressed his hope that the two provinces will continue to strengthen comprehensive cooperation in all fields, thus building an increasingly strong bond.

At the talks, the two provinces discussed, agreed, and signed a cooperation agreement for the 2024-2026 period, under which they consented to continue to jointly inform their officers, soldiers and people about the special solidarity and friendship, the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between Son La and Houaphanh in particular.

They will maintain the exchange of delegations at all levels to share experience in various fields; continue to coordinate and exchange information in implementing regulations on foreign relations activities, ensuring national defence, security, social order and safety, and fighting crimes in the two provinces according to the memoranda of cooperation between the Ministries of National Defence and Public Security of Vietnam and Laos.

The two provinces also agreed to strengthen friendly cooperation, boost trade, and promote the images of their businesses and products as well as the potential and advantages of the two provinces.

They will continue to coordinate in implementing the human resources training plan of Houaphanh under the signed memorandum of cooperation; cooperate in building Son La - Houaphanh and Houaphanh - Son La tours; jointly develop the "Border Festival" to be held alternately at border gates with potential for tourism development to introduce the indigenous culture and tourism products of the two provinces to friends and tourists in Vietnam and Laos.