Vientiane:Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith welcomed nine foreign ambassadors as they presented their credentials. The ambassadors represent the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Mauritania, Nigeria, Brazil, and Lithuania, with their diplomatic missions based in Vientiane and other regional capitals such as Bangkok, Beijing, and Singapore.
According to Lao News Agency, President Thongloun expressed confidence that the ambassadors' diplomatic experience and capabilities would enhance friendly relations and cooperation between Laos and their respective countries, both bilaterally and through multilateral frameworks. He encouraged the ambassadors to engage in high-level exchanges, expand cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism, and translate existing memorandums of understanding into tangible outcomes.
President Thongloun also urged the ambassadors to visit various provinces in Laos to gain insight into local development conditions and opportunities, thereby attracting businesses and investors interested in Laos. In response, the ambassadors committed to fulfilling their diplomatic responsibilities and strengthening relations and cooperation with the Lao PDR.
Additionally, President Thongloun presented Letters of Credence to Mr. Chatoulin Sihaphom, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Lao PDR to the Republic of Cuba. He congratulated Mr. Chatoulin and encouraged him to use his expertise to expand bilateral relations with Cuba. Mr. Chatoulin pledged to work on strengthening ties and cooperation during his mission.
In a related event, the Lao Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism co-hosted a celebration, co-chaired by Lao Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket and Cambodian Minister Huot Hak. The event included a Tourism Technical Working Group Meeting, a tourism and investment seminar, business-matching sessions, and an exhibition of tourism and local products. The two countries agreed on a Joint Tourism Action Plan for 2026-2028 and discussed expanding international flight services and reviewing tourism cooperation memorandums.
One of the key initiatives is the development of an ancient heritage route linking Vat Phou in Champasak Province with Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The route is approximately 260 kilometers long, with a 3.7-kilometer trial walking trail already open. The initiatives aim to strengthen cross-border tourism, encourage investment and business partnerships, and deepen people-to-people exchanges as Laos and Cambodia celebrate seven decades of diplomatic relations.