The welcome ceremony took place solemnly at the Presidential Palace of Laos under the host of Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith. Among the attendants were hundreds of people from Vientiane capital wearing traditional costumes of the people of Lao tribes. Right after the welcome ceremony, the two leaders held talks with each other. Sisoulith spoke highly of the Vietnamese President’s visit, saying Thuong’s selection of Laos for his first overseas trip in the new position demonstrates the importance Vietnamese Party and State leaders and the President himself attach to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. He used the occasion to thank Vietnam for supporting Laos in socio-economic recovery and development. For his part, Thuong commended the achievements that Laos has attained in national reform and construction, and noted his belief that, the country will soon overcome difficulties and challenges to successfully realize targeted targets. The two leaders reiterated the two countries’ consistent policies of always attaching importance and giving the top priority to consolidating and enhancing their great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern and agreed to intensify information sharing and closely coordinate and cooperate at regional and international forums. Following the talks, the leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of two cooperation documents./.