Vientiane (VNA) – Top leaders of Vietnam and Laos have agreed to deepen the bilateral relationship with a reinforced framework of “Great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion”, affirming a shared vision, intertwined strategic interests and long-term companionship orientation for the goal of sustainable development, self-reliance and common prosperity of the two peoples.
The agreement was reached at the talks in Vientiane on December 1 between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) To Lam and General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, held shortly after the official welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese leader, his spouse and the high-level delegation, who are on a two-day state visit to Laos where they will also attend the ceremony marking the 50th National Day of Laos.
The Lao leader underscored the significance of the visit, which, he said, reflects the great importance attached by the Vietnamese Party, State and General Secretary Lam personally to the unique Vietnam–Laos relationship. He said the presence of the Vietnamese Party chief and the delegation at celebrations of the 50th anniversary of National Day of Laos is a major honour for the Lao Party, State and people.
He expressed gratitude to the Party, State and people of Vietnam for their constant support and invaluable assistance for Laos in its national construction and defence cause. He noted that Vietnam’s achievements during the 40 years of Doi moi (Renewal) process have elevated its international standing and provided Laos with valuable experience in national development. Vietnam’s reform success demonstrates the soundness of the CPV's development path and serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement for Laos, he noted.
Thanking Vietnam for inviting Lao leaders to attend major national celebrations, the Lao leader praised the successful organisation of commemorations making the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2), which, he said, fostered unity across the Party and people and reflected the strong patriotism of the Vietnamese people.
He also congratulated Vietnam on successful hosting major multilateral events, including the opening for signature of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi in October. He spoke highly of Vietnam’s implementation of the 13th National Party Congress's Resolution and preparations for the 14th National Party Congress. On this occasion, the Lao Party, State and people extended sympathies to Vietnam over losses caused by recent storms and floods and expressed readiness to support Vietnam in overcoming the difficulties.
For his part, Party General Secretary Lam expressed his pleasure at revisiting Laos on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Lao National Day and the 105th birth anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane. He said this is an opportunity for both sides to reflect on Laos’s arduous yet glorious journey and the enduring bond between the two countries and peoples, affirming the Lao people’s unwavering determination for independence and solidarity.
He noted that his visit once again reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of giving the top priority to its special relationship with Laos. It also provided an opportunity for both countries to build a new vision and elevate the Vietnam–Laos relationship to a higher level, with deeper political trust and stronger breakthroughs across all areas of cooperation.
The Vietnamese Party chief congratulated Laos on its historic achievements after 50 years of founding and 40 years of reform. He emphasised the LPRP’s leadership role in guiding national development, maintaining stable GDP growth, improving living conditions, safeguarding national defence and security, and expanding external relations. He noted that Laos’s successful chairmanship of ASEAN three times and hosting of related summits underscored its regional and international standing.
General Secretary Lam also expressed profound gratitude for Laos’s steadfast and whohearted support to Vietnam during its past struggle for national liberation and its present process of national construction and defence. He voiced his confidence that, under the leadership of the LPRP headed by General Secretary Thongloun, Laos will successfully realise the goals set by the 11th National Party Congress and successfully organise the 12th National Party Congress.
At the talks, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in each country. General Secretary Lam briefed the host on Vietnam’s socio-economic development and comprehensive efforts to streamline the political system.
Both leaders welcomed the growing depth, substance and effectiveness of the Vietnam–Laos special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, which contributes significantly to political stability, national defence, security and socio-economic development in each country. They agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the two Parties, governments, parliaments, front organisations, mass organisations and localities, particularly border provinces.
The two sides reaffirmed that close political ties are continuously reinforced through regular high-level contacts and effective cooperation mechanisms. They agreed to implement high-level agreements and plans effectively, particularly the outcomes of the 2025 high-level meeting between the two Parties and the third meeting of the top leaders of the Parties of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. They also agreed to deepen cooperation between the CPV and the LPRP through flexible forms of exchanges, joint theoretical work, and coordination in organising major national events, thereby affirming a new height in bilateral political relations.
The two sides agreed to intensify communication and education on the history of the Vietnam–Laos special solidarity, especially among younger generations, fostering pride, responsibility and commitment to preserving the unique and enduring relationship.
Both sides highlighted growing defence and security cooperation as a key pillar of the bilateral relations, contributing to a stable and sustainable shared border. They agreed to further strengthen defence and security cooperation to address increasingly complex security challenges and to link security and defence with socio-economic development.
The leaders also agreed to strengthen economic, infrastructure, banking-financial and tourism connectivity; take effective measures to lift bilateral trade to 5 billion USD in the near future and towards the target of 10 billion USD in the longer term; enhance transport, energy and logistics connectivity; and share experience in macro-economic management and anti-corruption. They agreed to remove bottlenecks to facilitate Vietnamese investment projects in Laos and ensure the effective implementation of aid-funded projects.
Both sides committed to creating breakthroughs in economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation; improving education and human resource development, especially high-quality personnel training; and strengthening people-to-people and local-to-local exchanges as a strategic pillar of the bilateral ties.
The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and to protect each other’s legitimate interests in line with international law, including the East Sea issue.
Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of 12 important cooperation documents between ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries, covering defence, security, health, justice, education and training, finance and banking, and strategic infrastructure, creating a legal basis and fresh momentum for deepening the Vietnam–Laos partnership in the new period.
On this occasion, Party General Secretary To Lam invited Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. The Lao leader accepted the invitation with pleasure./.
