(VOVWORLD) - Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith on Thursday discussed ways to boost cooperation in economics, culture, science, and technology, reaffirming a shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to 5 billion USD in the coming years.
 President Luong Cuong and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith at the welcoming ceremony. (Photo: Viet Cuong, Tran Tuan/VOV)
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Both sides also vowed to strengthen ties between provinces, especially along the border, and step up cooperation in education and training, with Vietnam pledging continued support to help Laos improve its human resources.
The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination and mutual support within ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms and other international cooperation mechanisms. They highlighted the importance of working together, and with other countries and international organizations, to sustainably manage and develop water resources along the Mekong River.
 View of the talks. (Photo: Viet Cuong, Tran Tuan/VOV)
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The two reiterated their commitment to building on the outcomes of the third meeting of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia’s party leaders, held in February this year, and deepen their traditional friendship.
President Cuong announced that Vietnam will build a 3-million-USD district-level hospital in Vientiane as a gift to the Lao people.
 President Luong Cuong and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith witness the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries. (Photo: Viet Cuong, Tran Tuan/VOV)
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After the talks, the leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents and licenses. They also attended a traditional wrist-tying ceremony to celebrate Laos’s New Year, Bunpimay, followed by a formal banquet in Vientiane.