Lao President Choumaly Saysone(left) and Vietnamese Pre. Nguyen Minh Triet

Laos and Vietnam will hold a gigantic joint-trade fair in Vientiane from August 30 to September 5 to mark 30 years of special friendship and 45 years of diplomatic relations.

Bilateral economic cooperation has also expanded. By May of this year, Vietnamese aggregate investment in Laos has increased to over one billion dollars, the biggest project being the Xe Kaman 3 hydro-electric power dam. Vietnam rubber industry is also expanding to Laos, setting a goal of 100,000 hectares of rubber plantations in Laos by 2010.

The two communist allies are also considering developing an economic zone along their common border.

Listen to our report for more details in Lao.