Thanh Hoa province has decided to grant VND1.5 billion (roughly US$100,000) to the neighbouring Lao province of Huaphanh for the construction of a high school in Samnua town.

The province will also receive 22 students this October from Huaphanh for training at the Medical College and Hong Duc University. The students will be trained in mathematics- informatics, accounting, agronomy, business administration and veterinary science.

Since 2001, Thanh Hoa has provided the Lao province with more than VND5.5 billion in non-refundable aid to help build four schools in border areas, construct two specialised warehouses, repair seven television relay stations, and equip two schools and the provincial polyclinic.