(KPL) Comrade Bounthong Chitmany, Member of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee, Standing Member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat, and Vice President of the Lao PDR, paid a working visit to Luang Prabang Province on July 17.

Upon arrival, he was welcomed by Comrade Bounleuane Manivong, Standing Member of the Luang Prabang Provincial Party Committee and Vice Governor. A working session was held with provincial leaders at the provincial office.

During the session, Comrade Soukhan Boungyong, Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Administration Office, presented a report on the province’s socio-economic development, the restructuring of departmental-level units, and progress in organizing the 9th Congress of the Provincial Party Committee.

It was noted that Party congresses at the district, city, military, and grassroots levels throughout the province have been successfully completed—except for the Provincial People's Council Party Unit, which will hold its congress following the main provincial congress. Additionally, congresses of the Veterans Federation and provincial mass organizations (Youth Union, Women’s Union, and Trade Union) were successfully conducted at the end of June.

Preparations for the upcoming 9th Provincial Party Congress are progressing in a step-by-step manner. Drafting of key documents is nearly complete at the basic level, with scientific seminars planned to gather further input. The personnel screening process is underway, currently in the first round, and Party Standing Committees have been assigned responsibilities across various districts. Preparations are also being aligned with specialized tasks from relevant sectors, and models are being developed to generate inputs for the congress.

On the issue of district establishment, the province has proposed the creation of 56  sub-districts across 11 districts and Luang Prabang City, with plans to assign approximately 800 staff members to serve in these districts.

In his concluding remarks, Vice President Bounthong Chitmany commended the province's efforts and instructed the Provincial Party Committee and leadership to continue preparations for the congress in accordance with the established roadmap, with a focus on content, personnel, and procedural integrity.

He also emphasized that the restructuring of departmental-level units must strictly adhere to central guidelines to maintain stability and ensure personnel confidence. Regarding district establishment, he advised the implementation of pilot models and the drawing of lessons from experience to resolve challenges, ensuring that the process complies with regulations and enhances the efficiency of grassroots-level administration.

KPL