PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane. (Photo: VNA) Both leaders said they were delighted to see that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries have been increasingly strengthened in all areas, from politics, diplomacy, national defence-security, to economy, trade, investment, socio-culture, and education-training. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, two-way trade still surpassed 1 billion USD in the first ten months of 2021, up over 30.1 percent from the same period last year. Vietnam was the third biggest foreign investor in Laos, with 209 projects worth 5.18 billion USD. Saysomphone expressed his profound thanks to the Vietnamese Party, State and people for providing timely and invaluable support to Laos in the fight against the pandemic. Both leaders agreed to effectively carry out high-level agreements and prepare for the upcoming 44th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Government