H.R.H. the Grand Duke and the Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Franz Fayot, are currently on a working visit to Laos from 5 to 8 December 2022.
The agenda for the last two days included a visit to the projects of the Luxembourg Cooperation in the localities of Phonhong and Vang Vieng, as well as a cultural visit to the city of Luang Prabang.
Wednesday 7 December 2022
H.R.H. the Grand Duke and Franz Fayot visited the Maria Teresa Hospital and its associated nursing school in Phonhong. The provincial hospital, which was built with the support of Luxembourg, is now recognised for the quality of its health services for the local population, including the most vulnerable. Inaugurated by H.R.H. the Grand Duchess in 2003 and bearing her name since then, it is one of the greatest successes of Luxembourg's cooperation activities in Laos.
In Vang Vieng, H.R.H. the Grand Duke and Minister Fayot visited, in the presence of the Governor of Vientiane Province, Khamphane Sitthidampa, the Academy, a hotel training centre with a training restaurant and six hotel rooms. Supported by the Luxembourg Cooperation with the aim of improving the skills and quality of vocational education in the field of tourism and hospitality in Laos, the facility offers students practical training opportunities alongside their theoretical studies. At the invitation of the Governor of Vientiane Province, H.R.H. the Grand Duke and Franz Fayot also attended a lunch prepared by the students of the Academy.
Back in Vientiane, H.R.H. the Grand Duke and Franz Fayot were received in the offices of the Embassy of Luxembourg in Laos, followed by a presentation of the local development programmes by the representatives of Lux-Development.
Thursday 8 December 2022
The last day of the visit was marked by a tour of the most important cultural sites in Laos in Luang Prabang. H.R.H. the Grand Duke and Franz Fayot visited the Royal Palace of Luang Prabang, now transformed into a museum, the Wat Xieng Thong, a Laotian Buddhist temple dating back to 1560, as well as the Reception Centre of the National Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Programme. It should be noted that Luxembourg has been financially supporting UXO clearance in Laos since 1999, with a contribution of approximately 4 million euros, and has recently granted an additional support of 1 million euros for the years 2022-2024. As part of the Indicative Cooperation Programme V (2023-2027), it is also planned to expand tourism and hotel sector development projects in Luang Prabang.
In Luang Prabang, H.R.H. the Grand Duke and Minister Fayot also participated in a Baci ceremony, a traditional Lao practice, and a dinner hosted by the Governor of Luang Prabang Province, Khamkhan Chanthavisouk.
Press release from the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs