The agreement is part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) exchanged between Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training and Laos' Ministry of Education and Sports. Ministers Nguyen Kim Son and Thongsalith Mangnomek exchanged the MOU on 5/2, during General Secretary To Lam's state visit to Laos.

Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training stated the MOU aims to foster cooperation, exchange, and research, leading to the establishment of the Vietnamese university in Laos. The university's goal is to train high-quality human resources across higher education, vocational education, and general education.

The university will operate in accordance with Lao law and relevant international treaties. Its training programs will be developed based on Laos' practical needs, prioritizing fields such as: natural sciences, education sciences and teacher training, business and management, technology and engineering, computer and information technology, Vietnamese studies, Lao studies, and other relevant disciplines.

Both sides agreed to coordinate closely on the university establishment project, which includes: infrastructure, curriculum, faculty, organizational structure, governance mechanisms, and development roadmap. A joint working group will also be established to implement cooperative activities.

This is expected to be Vietnam's first university established abroad.

During the visit, the Education Ministers of both countries also exchanged documents for the handover of books. Specifically, Vietnam provided Laos with 27,500 Vietnamese language textbooks for grades one through 12, along with 1,000 guidebooks integrating the history of the special relationship between the two nations.

Ministers Nguyen Kim Son and Thongsalith Mangnomek further discussed signing a memorandum of understanding for cooperation on teaching Lao language in Vietnam, enhancing Vietnamese language instruction, and facilitating Lao students' study at Vietnamese boarding schools. This document is expected to be signed in Quarter I.

Previously, Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training announced a pilot program to teach Lao language in 9 high schools across 9 border provinces adjacent to Laos this year.

The Education Ministers of Vietnam and Laos exchange educational cooperation documents, witnessed by General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. *Photo: MOET*

Vietnam and Laos established diplomatic relations on 5/9/1962. In 2/2019, both sides agreed to elevate their ties from a "traditional friendship" to a "great friendship".

General Secretary To Lam arrived in Laos today, commencing a state visit at the invitation of General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong stated that the visit holds significant importance for Vietnam-Laos relations, particularly in shaping the landscape of cooperation and development between the two countries in this new phase.

Duong Tam