Vientiane (VNA) - Secretary of the Party Committee of Laos’ Champasak province Alounxay Sounnalath highlighted Vietnam’s key achievements during 2021–2025, the significance of the coming 14th National Party Congress, the enduring Vietnam–Laos friendship, and expectations for 2026–2030 in a recent interview to Vietnam News Agency.
Under the leadership of the Politburo and the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Vietnam achieved broad-based and substantial progress across multiple sectors during the 2021–2025 period, he said.
On the economic front, average annual GDP growth hit about 6.3%, establishing Vietnam as one of the region’s and world’s fastest-growing economies. The economy’s size in 2025 was estimated at more than 510 billion USD, 1.47 times larger than in 2020, while per capita GDP stood at around 5,000 USD, elevating the country into the upper-middle-income group. The private sector has solidified its role as a major growth engine, with the rise of big conglomerates capable of competing on global and regional stages.
In socio-culture, Vietnam made clear strides, he noted. Social welfare remained secure, with steady improvements in both material and spiritual living standards. The healthcare system expanded widely, effectively controlling epidemics and mastering advanced medical technologies. Health insurance coverage reached an estimated nearly 95.2% of the population, while average life expectancy climbed to about 74.8 years.
National defence - security was bolstered, with independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity firmly safeguarded, and social safety and order maintained. Diplomacy was pursued proactively, comprehensively and consistently in line with the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, contributing to a peaceful and stable environment while opening up new development opportunities. State apparatus reforms continued, with streamlining and efficiency gains from central to local levels, notably through the adoption of a two-tier local administration model at the provincial and grassroots levels.
Alounxay described the 14th Congress as a major turning point, occurring amid vigorous realisation of the 13th Congress resolution, a review of 40 years of Doi Moi (renewal), and the CPV’s 96th founding anniversary. The Congress, he noted, will reaffirm resolve to harness great national unity; uphold independence, self-reliance and resilience; and confidently steering the nation into a new era of peace, democracy, prosperity, civilisation, and happiness while steadfastly pursuing the socialist path.
Turning to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic bond between Laos and Vietnam, the Champasak Party chief stressed that this is an invaluable asset of both nations and a sacred legacy nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong, and generations of leaders and people of the two countries.
During 2021–2025, the special Laos–Vietnam relationship was further reinforced and comprehensively developed, playing a strategic role in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, political stability, socio-economic development and socialist construction in each country, while contributing positively to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
According to him, 2025 marked a historic milestone in bilateral ties, as Laos and Vietnam agreed to elevate their relationship to the level of “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic bond”. This upgrade reflected profound and enduring political trust between the two Parties and States, and underscored the determination of high-ranking leaders to further advance Laos–Vietnam relations in a more substantive and effective manner, suited to the new development phase.
The Lao Party, State, and people will continue working closely with their fraternal Vietnamese counterparts to preserve, nurture, and transmit this special solidarity to future generations, ensuring it remains eternally strong and enduring, he added./.
