Lao PM visits, co-chairs inter-governmental committee meeting

Lao PM visits, co-chairs inter-governmental committee meeting in Vietnam

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith is leading a delegation to Vietnam for a visit and to co-chair the 42nd meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee from January 2-4 at the invitation of his counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Lao PM visits, co-chairs inter-governmental committee meeting in Vietnam ảnh 1Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Lao Prime Minister ThonglounSisoulith is leading a delegation to Vietnam for a visit and to co-chair the 42nd meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee from January 2-4 atthe invitation of his counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The organisation of the meeting aims to affirm the prioritythat the two countries gives to incessantly developing their great friendship,special solidarity and comprehensive partnership. The meeting will also strengthenpolitical trust between the two countries and create a channel for directingthe implementation of high-level agreements.

Vietnam and Laos boast along-standing special solidarity and faithful relationship nurtured by latePresidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong, and generationsof the two countries’ leaders and people.

Over the past years, the two sides have beenunceasingly consolidating and developing the great friendship, specialsolidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States andpeoples, considering these as important factors of the success of eachcountry’s national development and defence.

Bilateral political and diplomatic ties havecontinued to be reinforced, as seen through mutual visits at all levels. By theend of August, the countries had exchanged more than 120 delegations, about 60of which were at the deputy ministerial or higher levels. Both sidessuccessfully organised the 41st meeting of the inter-governmental committeeco-chaired by the two prime ministers.

Cooperation in defence, security and diplomacyhas continued to record new development. The two countries have activelyimplemented the five-year cooperation protocol and annual defence – securitycooperation plans, helping to ensure political stability, security and socialorder and safety in each nation. They have also effectively carried out theagreement on border regulations and the one on settling irregular migration andundocumented marriage in their border areas.

The countries have alsocoordinated closely and supported each other at regional and internationalforums. They have further enhanced cooperation with each other and other ASEANmembers in building the ASEAN Community and maintaining the bloc’s solidarityand consensus in the strategic issues of the region, including the East Seaissue.

Laos strongly supported Vietnam’s bid for anon-permanent seat in the UN Security Council and holding of the ASEAN Chairmanshipin 2020.

Both have coordinated closely with othernations and relevant international organisations to manage and use the MekongRiver’s water resources in a sustainable and effective manner.

Vietnam and Laos have witnessed robust cooperationin economy, culture, education-training and science-technique in the pastyears.

Despite global economic downturn, theyattained 940 million USD in two-way trade during January-October of 2019, andthe figure is projected to top 1.1 – 1.2 billion USD for the whole year,surpassing the set target of 1 billion USD.

Vietnam remains the third largest foreigninvestor in Laos. Vietnamese businesses have to date invested 4.22 billion USDin 413 projects in Laos, mainly in hydropower, mining, services, agricultureand telecom.

Besides, Vietnam provides 3.25 trillion VND(140 million USD) in non-refundable aid for Laos each year during 2016-2020.From the outset of 2019, Vietnam sent 300 tonnes of rice seedlings to Laofarmers to recover production after natural disasters./.

.
VNA

See more

Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong meets with representatives of the Patras Chamber of Commerce. (Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese Embassy in Greece)

Vietnam seeks stronger ties with Greece’s Patras

Mayor Kostas Peletidis said Patras is ready to work with the Vietnamese Embassy to promote the country as well as its culture and people through local cultural events and festivals, including the Patras Carnival, one of Greece’s largest annual festivals, the mayor remarked.

Nearly 1,000 students and lecturers from universities and colleges across Can Tho city attend the event at Can Tho University on July 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Philippines strengthen people-to-people friendship

Shirley Nuevo, Acting Consul General of the Philippines in Ho Chi Minh City, said the past 50 years have demonstrated how the two countries and their peoples have grown together as friends, trusted partners and close neighbours within the ASEAN family.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung addresses the working session with the Standing Board of the Tuyen Quang Party Committee in Vi Xuyen commune on July 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

PM urges Tuyen Quang to accelerate measures to achieve double-digit growth

The PM chaired a working session on July 15 with the Standing Board of the Tuyen Quang Party Committee on socio-economic development, the double-digit growth target, public investment disbursement, the operation of the two-tier local government model, implementation of Politburo Resolution No. 57, and measures to address local challenges.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang (right), who is also head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, and EU Ambassador to ASEAN Sujiro Seam at their meeting in Hanoi (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam pledges continued contributions to ASEAN-EU ties: Deputy FM

Deputy FM Dang Hoang Giang, who is also head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, spoke highly of the positive progress in the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, noting that the EU has become one of ASEAN's most reliable partners and has provided substantial support for the ASEAN Community-building process.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) receives Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Tshering Sherpa in Hanoi on July 15. (Photo: VNA)

Foreign Minister receives Indian Ambassador

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said Vietnamese authorities are expediting investigations into the cause of the recent speedboat accident and will strictly address any violations while strengthening safety regulations to prevent similar incidents.

Nguyen Van Tho (R), Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council and Chairman of the municipal Vietnam–US Friendship Association, presents flowers to Melissa A. Brown, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, at the get-together marking the 250th anniversary of the US’s Independence Day in the city on July 15, 2026. (Photo: Xuan Khu/VNA)

People-to-people friendship forms key foundation of Vietnam–US ties: diplomat

Vietnam and the US have established a comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political systems. By putting the past behind, looking towards the future, building on common interests, and managing differences properly, they have advanced relations for the benefit of both peoples.

Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu lays flowers at the graves of the 10 female youth volunteer martyrs at the national special historical relic site of Dong Loc T-junction. (Photo: VNA)

Senior Party official offers incense at Kim Lien, Dong Loc memorial sites

At the Kim Lien site, Tu and accompanying delegates offered flowers and incense in memory of President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved leader of the Vietnamese nation, a national liberation hero and a great man of culture who devoted his life to the revolutionary cause of the Party, the nation and the people, as well as to peace and social progress worldwide.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the working session with the Standing Board of the Lang Son provincial Party Committee. (Photo: VNA)

PM urges Lang Son to turn border advantages into new growth drivers

The Government leader instructed Lang Son province to vigorously implement its growth plan for the second half of 2026, with the goal of achieving annual GRDP growth of at least 10%. He called for clear accountability across agencies, regular updates to monthly and quarterly growth scenarios, close monitoring of key growth drivers, and periodic reporting to ensure timely policy responses.

The flight carrying the mortal remains of Indian victims departs Ho Chi Minh City on July 13. (Photo published by VNA)

Indian Embassy thanks Vietnam for support after Phu Quoc boat tragedy

The embassy said on its official X account that the flight carrying the victims' mortal remains departed Ho Chi Minh City on July 13 and arrived in Mumbai later the same day. Authorities in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu coordinated the transportation of the remains to their final destinations.

Vice President of the Da Nang Union of Friendship Organisations Nguyen Ngoc Binh speaks at the ceremony marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Chile (1971–2026) in Da Nang on the evening of July 14, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang marks 55 years of Vietnam–Chile diplomatic relations

The two countries established diplomatic relations on March 25, 1971, with Chile becoming the first South American nation to establish official ties with Vietnam. Over the past 55 years, bilateral friendship and cooperation have continued to deepen across a wide range of fields, providing a solid foundation for stronger political, economic, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.