Secretary Trần Quốc Cường welcomed the Ambassador and the delegations to Điện Biên on the occasion of the 2025 Northwest Essence - Điện Biên Festival. He briefed them on key development projects, including the Sơn La-Điện Biên expressway to the Tây Trang Border Gate, aimed at boosting trade with northern Lao provinces, and the establishment of a branch of Thái Nguyên University in Điện Biên to improve education for students from neighboring areas and northern Laos.

He also noted Điện Biên’s readiness to share recent experiences in building its political system and invited the delegations to exchange insights and initiatives to further strengthen cooperation between Điện Biên and northern Lao provinces, as well as between the two countries.

Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from Điện Biên leaders and wished the province success in organizing the 2025 Northwest Essence - Điện Biên Festival. She congratulated Điện Biên on its achievements and emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation with northern Lao provinces to deepen ties not only between localities but also between the two nations - particularly in human resource training, education, healthcare, and agriculture.

The Ambassador expressed hope that Điện Biên and the northern Lao provinces would continue signing memoranda of understanding and enhance collaboration across sectors to consolidate the long-standing, close-knit relationship nurtured over the years.