Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien had a meeting in Vientiane on April 8 with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone who asked relevant ministries of the two sides to focus on seeking ways to remove difficulties facing their businesses in exporting coal and electricity, thus improving the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, and minerals in accordance with the needs and potential of each country.

The new agreement looks to help enhance the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and further promote the access to mutual goods and service markets so as to strengthen connectivity for long-term development.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith signed a new Vietnam-Laos trade agreement following their talks in Vientiane, Laos, on April 8.

A total of 51 Buddha figurines have been recently discovered in the Lao northern province of Xieng Khuang, reported the Vientiane Times.

Vietnam will issue a price framework to purchase electricity from Laos for the period after 2025 in the second quarter of this year, said Minister of Trade and Industry Nguyen Hong Dien.

A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand led by Charge d'Affaires Bui Thi Hue visited the Lao Embassy in the country on April 6 to extend congratulations on Laos' traditional New Year festival, Bunpimay.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on April 6 signed a decision approving a plan on the implementation of the Vietnam-Laos agreement on mutual judicial assistance in civil matters.

Laos and Thailand launched cross-border QR payment linkage on April 3, aiming to promote innovation and access to financial services for the benefit of their people.

Vietnam’s macro-economic achievements were applauded at an international workshop co-organised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Bank of Laos on April 3 in Luang Prabang.

The Red Cross Society of the central province of Thanh Hoa and Laos’ Houaphanh province will bolster cooperation in the 2024-2025 period under a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two sides at a conference in Thanh Hoa on April 2.

Many Vietnamese in Laos have shared the belief that the amended Land Law, passed by the National Assembly earlier this year, will significantly contribute to national socio-economic development.

Police in Tonpheung district, Laos' northern province of Bokeo have recently apprehended two suspects and seized 166 bags of crystal methamphetamine weighing 166kg, reported Lao media on March 26.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on March 26 hailed Vietnam-Laos cooperation in home affairs as he received Vietnamese Minister of Home Affairs Ministry Pham Thi Thanh Tra.

Cambodian and Lao leaders have expressed their optimism and pledged deeper cooperation between the two countries, according to Cambodian media.