On the morning of June 9 in Hanoi, Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang received Lao Minister and Head of the Government Office Buakhong Nammavong during his working visit to Vietnam.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Y Thong and leaders of several departments and units under Vietnam's Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs. The two sides discussed a range of important issues related to ethnic and religious affairs, as well as future directions for bilateral cooperation.

Ethnic and religious affairs play an important role

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Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang receives Lao Minister and Head of the Government Office Buakhong Nammavong. Photo: Le Anh Dung

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang said the establishment of the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs through the reorganization of the former Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs and the Government Committee for Religious Affairs demonstrates the special attention of Vietnam's Party and State to ethnic and religious work in building national solidarity and unity among religious communities.

Building on the strong cooperative relationship previously maintained between Vietnam's Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and relevant Lao agencies, Vietnam's Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister of Laos have exchanged a draft agreement on cooperation in ethnic and religious affairs for the 2026-2035 period.

The agreement is intended to expand cooperation in ethnic and religious affairs based on the aspirations and interests of the people of both countries. It is expected to further strengthen and promote the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic connectivity between Vietnam and Laos.

Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang expressed his hope that specialized agencies of both countries would increase information exchange, formulate annual cooperation plans and effectively implement the contents agreed upon by both sides.

Promoting an effective coordination mechanism between the two countries

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Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang expressed his hope that specialized agencies of the two countries would strengthen information exchange, develop specific cooperation plans and effectively implement agreed initiatives. Photo: Le Anh Dung

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Lao Minister and Head of the Government Office Buakhong Nammavong said both sides should continue improving coordination mechanisms, enhance exchanges and improve the implementation of bilateral cooperation plans. Photo: Le Anh Dung

Lao Minister and Head of the Government Office Buakhong Nammavong said the Lao government is also paying special attention to ethnic and religious affairs and is allocating resources to improve the quality and effectiveness of implementation in these areas.

He emphasized that ethnic and religious affairs are sensitive fields that require close leadership, strong coordination and adequate resources to ensure effective implementation.

Agreeing with the assessment of past cooperation achievements as well as future directions, the Lao side said ethnic and religious affairs constitute one of the important areas of strategic cooperation between the two Parties and States. Laos also noted that the two countries share many similarities in the practical implementation of policies in this field.

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Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang presents a gift to Lao Minister and Head of the Government Office Buakhong Nammavong. Photo: Le Anh Dung

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Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang, Lao Minister and Head of the Government Office Buakhong Nammavong, and delegates pose for a commemorative photo. Photo: Le Anh Dung

To effectively implement the agreed areas of cooperation, both sides agreed on the need to continue improving coordination mechanisms, increase exchanges of experience and enhance the quality of bilateral cooperation plans. These efforts are expected to contribute to strengthening national solidarity and maintaining political and social stability in each country.

The meeting took place in a sincere, friendly and trusting atmosphere, reaffirming the determination of both sides to preserve and nurture the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, making the relationship increasingly substantive and effective.

Hoang Quy