Vietnam Boosts Support for Ethnic Minority Boarding School in Laos

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 18 in Phonesaat village, Mahaxay district, central Laos, for the Khammouane Provincial Boarding School for Ethnic Minority Students, funded by a non-refundable grant from the Vietnamese Government. This project signifies the attention paid by the Parties and States of both countries to education, training, and human resource development in remote and ethnic minority areas of Laos. The school will be constructed on a 37,268 sq.m site with a total investment of 183.2 billion VND (7.04 million USD), including 179.75 billion VND in aid from Vietnam and 3.45 billion VND from the Lao government. It will feature 28 fully equipped classrooms capable of accommodating 1,700 to 2,000 students, serving children from ethnic groups in five eastern districts of Khammouane province. PSC Trading Investment Co., Ltd. is responsible for the construction, aiming for completion and operation by August 30, 2028, in time for the 2028-2029 academic year. Preparations by Vietnam's Quang Tri province, including investment, design, and contractor selection, are complete. Khammouane province has also finalized unexploded ordnance clearance, site preparation, and construction permits. Manyen Khinsamone, Vice Chairman of the Khammouane provincial Administration Committee, expressed gratitude to Vietnam, highlighting the project's importance in addressing educational facility shortages and improving learning opportunities for ethnic minorities. He affirmed the project as a symbol of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and between Quang Tri and Khammouane provinces. He urged close coordination and strict adherence to contract terms for quality and safety. This initiative marks a significant step in educational and training cooperation between the two provinces and contributes to their bilateral relationship.