Vientiane (VNA) - The upcoming state visit to Laos by Party General Secretary To Lam is set to further deepen the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to preserving their traditional bonds and strengthening their enduring great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam has said.
In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Laos, the ambassador emphasised that the Party leader’s visit carries historic significance and special importance for Vietnam–Laos relations, particularly as both countries celebrate major national milestones in 2025.
During the visit, which will be made at the invitation of Lao Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith, the Vietnamese Party chief and his entourage will attend a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of National Day of Laos, and co-chair the high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party from December 1–2.
The visit is a historic diplomatic milestone that reflects the deep respect, close bond, and strong mutual support between the two Parties, States, and peoples, helping reinforce political trust, advance comprehensive cooperation, and open new directions for bilateral relations in the new era, Tam said.
The Vietnamese Party leader’s participation in Laos’ 50th National Day celebrations highlights the special bond, deep solidarity, and enduring friendship between the two nations, underscoring that each country’s success is a shared success of the two nations, while the Lao Party, State, and people’s achievements provide strong encouragement and motivation for Vietnam.
It also serves as a vivid testament to the steadfast, shared, and inseparable bond between the two Parties, countries, and peoples - standing together through hardship and joy alike - both during the past struggle for national liberation and in the national construction and defence at the present, Tam said.
According to the diplomat, Party General Secretary To Lam is scheduled to hold talks with Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith; meet with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane, and visit former senior Lao leaders; attend a ceremony to inaugurate the Laos–Vietnam Friendship Park; deliver a policy speech at the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration.
The two sides are expected to provide updates on the situation of each Party and country; share views on global and regional situations of common concern; discuss key areas of cooperation; review and evaluate bilateral relations over the past five years; and set major directions for future collaboration across politics, defence, security, and foreign affairs.
The two sides will discuss to deepen political relations as the core of bilateral ties, strengthen strategic cooperation on security and development, enhance collaboration across all levels and sectors, and maintain high-level visits and meetings between the two Parties, states, ministries, agencies, and localities. Close coordination in defence, security, and foreign affairs will remain a pillar of the Vietnam–Laos relationship, contributing to ensuring political stability, social order, and the protection of national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
They also aim to achieve breakthroughs in economic, trade, investment, and infrastructure cooperation, strengthen cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges; and expand mutual support and cooperation across ministries, agencies, and localities to deepen the enduring friendship and close ties between the two nations.
The two sides are expected to sign several key cooperation documents, providing a legal framework and setting new directions that align with each country’s development requirements and the shared interests of the two nations, towards further deepening the special Vietnam–Laos relationship in the new context.
These planned exchanges will lay a solid foundation for the two countries to jointly overcome challenges in safeguarding and developing their nations, reflecting a shared vision and long-term strategic interests for sustainable, self-reliant, and prosperous development, while contributing positively to promoting peace, friendship, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, Tam said.
According to the diplomat, to further strengthen and advance the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the new period, the two sides need to maintain and continuously consolidate their political foundation; deepen their close coordination on strategic issues related to each country’s security and sustainable development; and intensify the sharing of experience in Party and political system building, ensuring national defence and security, foreign affairs, and international integration.
At the same time, it is essential to promote communication about the history and tradition of Vietnam–Laos relations among officials, Party members, and the public, especially the younger generations of both countries.
He also underlined the importance of promoting economic cooperation, especially in institutional development, finance, transport infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, telecommunications, tourism, production–consumption linkages, innovation, science and technology, green growth, business partnerships, which enable both Vietnam and Laos to pursue sustainable and resilient development.
Attention should be paid to promoting people-to-people exchange, and cooperation in education-training, and creating opportunities for young officials, party members, youth, students, and pupils of the two sides to connect, exchange, learn from one another, and grow together, he noted.
The two countries should also strengthen coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, particularly within ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, to safeguard shared interests and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region, Tam said.
He showed his belief with their tradition of special solidarity, strong political trust, and the shared will of their people, Vietnam and Laos will continue to stand side by side, advance toward prosperity, and further nurture their great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, ensuring this enduring partnership grows stronger and forever./.
Vietnam, Laos advance together into new development era
Vietnam and Laos are entering a new phase of development, with both parties, nations, and peoples steadfastly committed to progressing together, deepening their enduring friendship, broadening cooperation for mutual prosperity, and for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
