Within the framework of an official visit to Houaphanh province of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on December 28, a delegation from Quang Ninh attended the handover ceremony of Phan Xam Upper Secondary School in Sam Neua.
The project carries profound political, social, and humanitarian significance, serving as a vivid testament to the enduring friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Quang Ninh and Houaphanh in particular, and between the Parties, States, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos more broadly.
Representing Quang Ninh were Mr. Quan Minh Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, members of the Standing Board of the Provincial Party Committee, leaders of provincial departments and agencies; and representatives of Ha Long University.
On the side of Houaphanh Province were Mr. Phutphan Keovongxay, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Mr. Phonsouk Inthavong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial Government, together with members of the Provincial Standing Board, the Provincial Government, the Lao Front for National Construction, and leaders of relevant departments and agencies.
Phan Xam Upper Secondary School was commenced in February 2023 on a site of more than 6,000 square meters in Sam Neua Town, with a total investment of VND 50 billion funded by non-refundable assistance from Quang Ninh province under the 2022-2026 cooperation memorandum.
The school comprises a three-storey building with six classrooms, six offices, two computer rooms, three laboratories, multi-purpose and functional rooms, along with supporting facilities such as a schoolyard and landscaped gardens.
The completion and handover of the school mark a concrete outcome of the deepening, practical, and effective cooperation between the two provinces. Once operational, the facility will provide students in Houaphanh with a modern learning environment and quality teaching infrastructure, thereby contributing meaningfully to the development of local human resources.
In his remarks, Mr. Quan Minh Cuong emphasized that Vietnam and Laos are close neighbors bound by a great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, an invaluable asset nurtured by generations of leaders and peoples of both countries, laid by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and continuously upheld and strengthened today.
Within this overarching relationship, cooperation between Quang Ninh and Houaphanh has consistently received close attention from leaders of both localities and has been implemented in an increasingly substantive, effective, and comprehensive manner across multiple fields. Education and human resource development, he noted, have been identified as key pillars of long-term and sustainable cooperation. The Phan Xam Upper Secondary School stands not only as an educational institution, but also as a symbol of solidarity, shared responsibility, and the sincere affection of the Party organization, authorities, and people of Quang Ninh for Houaphanh province.
With its modern and well-equipped facilities, the school would become a high-quality educational environment, making an important contribution to nurturing the younger generation of Houaphanh, the future builders of Laos and the successors who will further enhance the special Vietnam-Laos relationship. The project also reaffirms Quang Ninh’s commitment to continuing close cooperation with Houaphanh in education and training, capacity building, youth exchanges, and socio-economic development, thereby further consolidating the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two provinces and the two nations, he said.
For his part, Mr. Phutphan Keovongxay conveyed his sincere appreciation for the wholehearted, timely, and practical support extended by the Party organization, authorities, and people of Quang Ninh to Houaphanh province across different periods. This assistance, he noted, has played an important role in socio-economic development and in improving the living standards of local people.
The Phan Xam Upper Secondary School, described as a heartfelt gift from Quang Ninh, makes a significant contribution to strengthening educational infrastructure and meeting Houaphanh’s human resource development needs. It stands as further evidence of the rare, pure, and enduring friendship between the two Parties, States, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos, and between Quang Ninh and Houaphanh provinces.
