Laos’ Deputy PM Somxavad Lengxavad (L) and Vietnam’s Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan cut the ribbon to open the complex in Vientiane
Vietnamese firm Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) on Thursday officially handed the South East Asian Games Village Project over to Laos to prepare for the 25th SEA Games in Vientiane in December.
The handing-over ceremony was held on Vietnam’s National Day (September 2) and attended by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somxavad Lengxavad, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan as well as other senior officials from both countries.
HAGL president Doan Nguyen Duc said the 25th SEA Games Village Project is located 12km from the Lao capital of Vientiane. It covers an area of 42,000 sq. meters with eight five-story blocks, a hostel that can accommodate 1,500 people at the same time and a two-story administrative building.
Apart from sub- projects like a meeting room and a press center, the complex has 1,000 rooms of international standards that can accommodate 4,000 people.
The US$19-million project was started and completed in a year. Apart from non-refundable aid of $4 million, the remaining $15 million will have to be paid back in three years.
“After the 25th SEA Games, the complex will be used as a dorm to serve 8,000 students of Laos’ National University, contributing to training the nation’s younger generation,” said Duc.
Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nhan praised HAGL’s employees for completing a valuable project for neighboring Laos, making a significant contribution to improving friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Laos’ Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somxavad Lengxavad thanked HAGL for completing the important project on schedule. He asked that HAGL continues to cooperate with Laos’ Ministry of Sports to operate the complex after the 25th SEA Games.
The Lao government also awarded Doan Nguyen Duc a medal for contributing to the nation’s growth and announced that HAGL will be the 25th SEA Games’ official co-sponsor.
