On the afternoon of October 6, Khanh Hoa provincial People's Committee held a ceremony to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation for the 2026-2031 period with Champasak Province (Laos). Attendees from Khanh Hoa Province included Mr. Nguyen Khac Ha, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, and Mr. Nguyen Long Bien, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Representing Champasak Province was Mr. Phimphon Phandanouvong, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Champasak Provincial Administration Committee. Also present were leaders from various provincial departments and agencies, as well as members of the Champasak delegation.
Photo: Delegates attending the signing ceremony (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
Photo: Leaders of Khanh Hoa Province and Champasak Province performing the signing ceremony for Understanding Memorandum for the 2026-2031 period (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Long Bien, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee stated that after the merger of Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan provinces starting in 2025, the new Khanh Hoa province possesses a vast development area with significant potential and advantages in marine sectors, tourism, industry, energy, and international trade. During the first nine months of 2026, the province continued to achieve positive socio-economic results; its GRDP is estimated to have grown by 11.21%, ranking 8th out of 34 provinces and cities nationwide and leading the South Central Coast and Central Highlands region. Tourism remained a highlight, attracting over 20.4 million visitors and generating nearly VND 68 trillion in revenue.
The Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee noted that, building upon the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, the cooperative relationship between Khanh Hoa and Champasak has been continuously strengthened and developed over the past two decades. The two sides have maintained regular delegation exchanges; promoted cultural and artistic interactions; sustained cooperation in the fields of justice, education and training, and agriculture; gradually expanded economic and trade cooperation; and continued to collaborate on human resource training.
Photo: Permanent Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Long Bien (far right) deliveres a speech at the signing ceremony (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
Photo: Vice Governor of Champasak Province Phimphon Phandanouvong (far right) expresses appreciation for the warm reception of Khanh Hoa provincial leaders (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
At the ceremony, leaders from both localities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation for the 2026–2031 period. Under the agreement, the two sides pledged to maintain and build upon the effectiveness of existing cooperation areas while expanding collaboration in ways that align with each locality's potential, strengths, and needs particularly in the sectors of the economy, agriculture, trade, and tourism. They also agreed to strengthen information and outreach activities, as well as people-to-people, cultural, artistic, and youth exchanges. Furthermore, they will coordinate activities to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos (September 5, 1962 - September 5, 2027) and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam- Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (July 18, 1977 - July 18, 2027), thereby contributing to deepening the special solidarity and friendly relations between the two Parties, States, and peoples.
Photo: Mr. Nguyen Long Bien presents a souvenir to Mr. Phimphon Phandanouvong (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
Photo: Mr. Phimphon Phandanouvong presents a souvenir to Mr. Nguyen Long Bien (Photo: Thanh Thanh).
Thanh Thanh