Welcoming the delegation were Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ministry cum Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Phạm Dũng; Chief of GCRA’s Office Dương Văn Khá and representatives from several GCRA’s departments.

At the visiting reception, Chairman Phạm Dũng informed the guests about current religious situation in Vietnam as well as the guidelines and policies of the Party and State of Vietnam on belief and religion over the past time, and affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always respect and guarantee the right to freedom of belief and religion for every Vietnamese. He also expressed his hope that the two sides would jointly maintain and promote traditional solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

During the meeting, Minister Saysy Santyvong informed the hosts the establishment of the Department of Ethnic Issues and Religious Affairs (DEIRA) under the Home Affairs Ministry of Laos PDR. He also expressed his hope that Vietnam GCRA and Laos DEIRA would promote exchanges and cooperation in religious affairs, contributing to  strengthen the fine traditional friendship between the two nations in the coming time.