From 27-30 May, Lao delegation paid an official visit to Viet Nam to learn and exchange information on sub-legislation and establishing a dedicated disaster management fund decree, and best practices and challenges in its implementation. The delegation was led by Mr. Vilayphong Sisomvang- Acting Director General and Head of Secretariat of National Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control (NCDPC) together with representatives of Prime Minister Office, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and Lao Red Cross.

On 28 May in Hanoi, the Lao delegation was received by Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC); Ministry of Labour and Invalid and Social Affairs (MOLISA) and Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA). In the morning, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Viet Nam Red Cross and was received by Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh- Viet Nam Red Cross’s Vice President and Secretary General who has expressed his recognition of long-term and neighbouring bilateral relationships between the two countries and two Red Cross National Societies and he also emphasized that Viet Nam Red Cross will continue to accompany and provide support to Lao Red Cross in various areas such as Red Cross Law development and implementation; community based initiatives; livelihoods opportunities for vulnerable people so on so forth. On this occasion, VNRC shared its experience in establishment and management of its emergency fund as well as its disaster preparedness and response capacity.

In the afternoon of the same day, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Nguyen Duc Quang, Director of Disaster Response Department of Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and his team. At the meeting, Mr. Quang enthusiastically shared with the delegation of step by step process in establishing the Disaster Prevention and Control Fund aftermath the Disaster Prevention and Control Law in 2014 and guided by Decree 64/TTg on Disaster Prevention and Control Fund. According to Mr. Quang, majority of provinces in Viet Nam have already had the fund established and but the use of the fund has its limitation due to lack of guidance and mechanism in place. Mr. Quang also mentioned that the revision of the Disaster Prevention and Control Law and several Decrees are under the process. The afternoon session went very well with a lot of technical questions and discussions.

The next day 29 May, the delegation visits Hai Phong city, it is one of the most successful provinces in the country in establishing and managing the fund since the availability of Decree 64/TTg. At the reception, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chuyen- Vice chairman of the provincial people committee briefed the delegation of some remarkable tiers of friendship between the city and two other provinces of Laos such as Vientiane province and Oudomxay as well as the city economic development in the past years. After the reception, both sides had two intensive session to deeply discuss on the disaster prevention and control fund.