Belgian Honorary Consulate Opens In Vientiane

The Belgian government invited Dr Jean-Marie Hospied to become their resident representative here on March 12 this year. His appointment as Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Belgium in the Lao PDR, at Xieng Nuyen village (opposite the Lao and French Red Cross) in Vientiane, was officially accepted by the Lao government on Saturday.

An adventurous family holiday to a new country caused to leave their home in China and come to live in Laos. Having been greatly impressed by the friendliness and culture of the Lao people, the Hospieds knew they wanted Vientiane to be their new home and were delighted when son Jerome agreed to join them.

Being a physician who specialises in tropical diseases and recognising that his skills would be in demand here, Dr Hospied established the French Embassy Medical Clinic in Simeuang village, Vientiane, in 2006 and has been a staunch member of the medical community ever since.

The magnificent shield which proclaims Dr Hospied’s status and the establishment of the consulate arrived last Friday and was unveiled to the public on Saturday at a ceremony attended by the newly appointed Belgian Ambassador to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, Mr Marc Michielsen.

The ceremony was attended by invited guests, mainly from the 90-strong Belgian community in Laos. Refreshments, including a variety of Belgian beers, were supplied by well known Belgian businesses Chok Dee Café and Via Via Restaurant.

The principal duty of the Honorary Consul is to promote goodwill and friendship between Belgium and the Lao PDR and the people of both countries.

The Honorary Consulate is located at Wat Xieng Ngeun 04/35, Chantabouly district, Vientiane, phone 020 5655 4794

published with the permission of Vientiane Times