Vietnamese State President To Lam announced on Thursday a gift in the form of 20 VinFast electric cars from Vietnam to Laos during his two-day state visit to the neighboring country.

The cars were expected to help Laos successfully host important events during the ASEAN Year 2024, State President Lam said during talks with General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane.

After the Vietnamese president gave a symbolic key to the Lao leader, they both got into a VinFast car. The Vietnamese president then drove the car, giving a ride to the Lao leader.

The 20 electric cars are VinFast VF9 models, the largest ones made by the Vietnamese EV manufacturer.

VinFast EVs were introduced in Vientiane in November last year. Vietnam's Xanh SM taxi brand, which uses VinFast EVs, has been operating effectively and expanding to many other cities in the neighboring country.

State President Lam and his entourage arrived in Vientiane on Thursday morning for a two-day state visit at the invitation of President Thongloun.

This is the state president’s first overseas trip, with Laos being the first leg followed by Cambodia, since he was elected to the post by the National Assembly last month.

He had meetings with many other senior leaders of Laos.

He is scheduled to leave Vientiane for Cambodia on Friday for a state visit lasting through Saturday.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!