Champasak: Efforts to strengthen economic, trade, and tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Laos were highlighted at a forum held to promote East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) connectivity in Champasak province, southern Laos. According to Lao News Agency, the event was jointly organised by Da Nang city, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Pakse, and the Champasak provincial authorities, drawing nearly 400 delegates from ministries and agencies of both countries. Representatives from 12 Vietnamese localities, five south-central Lao provinces, and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province also participated. The forum served as an important platform to enhance connectivity and promote investment, trade, and tourism ties along the EWEC. It supported businesses in market exploration, product promotion, and export expansion to Laos and Northeast Thailand. Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee, Phan Thai Binh, emphasized the EWEC's role as a trans-Asian transport route and a dynamic development space. He highlighted its importance in strengthening regional connectivity, expanding trade, attracting investment, and promoting sustainable tourism. He noted the urgent need to enhance intra-regional connectivity and unlock the corridor's full potential amid rapid global shifts in economic structures, technology, and supply chains. This presents both opportunities and shared responsibilities for localities in Vietnam and Laos to build an open, flexible, and efficient cooperation space. As the eastern gateway of the EWEC, Da Nang has prioritized fostering its special ties with the five south-central Lao provinces. Collaboration spans investment and trade, particularly in agriculture, services, logistics, education, healthcare, culture, social welfare, and infrastructure development. The forum provided a platform for policymakers, local authorities, and the business community to exchange visions, propose innovative solutions, and strengthen partnerships. Participants proposed measures to improve policies in investm ent, trade, tourism, and logistics to better tap the corridor's potential. Tourism was identified as a sector with significant growth potential, capable of generating added value for localities along the 1,450-km corridor linking Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. A highlight of the event was the signing of more than 20 memoranda of understanding between Da Nang, Vietnamese localities, and Lao partners for the 2026-2030 period. On the sidelines, the Vietnam-Laos Trade and Tourism Fair 2026 took place from April 3-5, featuring around 60-70 booths showcasing OCOP and ODOP products, national-brand goods, garments, electronics, machinery, handicrafts, and consumer services.
Sunday, April 26, 2026
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