A ceremony to transfer the project to the Lao Government was held in Vientiane on September 2.

Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan affirmed that the project manifests the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The Deputy PM said the SEA Games 25 Athletes’ Village is a successful result of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai group’s investment programme in Laos.

Also present at the ceremony, Lao Deputy PM Somsavad Lengsavat said the Lao Government has singled out the SEA Games 25 Athletes’ Village as one of the most outstanding projects in the country and Hoang Anh Gia Lai has become a major co-sponsor of the event. Hoang Anh Gia Lai has provided US$4 million as non-refundable aid to the Lao Government and US$15 million as a no-interest loan.

The village, built at a cost of US$19 million, covers 42,000sq.m., accommodating about 4,000 athletes. After SEA Games 25, it wil serve as a dormitory of the Lao National University.

Also on September 2, the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Senior High School was also inaugurated in Vientiane as a gift of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh to Vientiane.