Vietnamese, Lao news agencies intensify cooperation

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Lao News Agency (KPL) held talks via videoconference on March 29 to review outcomes of their cooperation during 2016 - 2020 and discuss plans for this year and beyond.
Vietnamese, Lao news agencies intensify cooperation ảnh 1VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang at the online talks on March 29 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The VietnamNews Agency (VNA) and the Lao News Agency (KPL) held talks via videoconferenceon March 29 to review outcomes of their cooperation during 2016 - 2020 and discussplans for this year and beyond.

The event was attended by VNA GeneralDirector Vu Viet Trang, KPL General Director Khampheuy Philapha, andrepresentatives from the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

Assessing the implementation of the professional cooperation agreement for 2016 - 2020, the VNA leader said the sharing of news indifferent forms between the two news agencies has helped popularise the great friendship, special solidarity,and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States, and peoples ofVietnam and Laos.

The two sides have enhanced ties inpublication distribution, technical assistance, and personnel training, Trangnoted, highlighting that the KPL has effectively assisted with the distributionof Vietnam Pictorial in Laos, helping the VNA publication for foreign service reach out to Lao localities and readers.

Meanwhile, the VNA has helped the Lao counterpart in upgradingtechnical infrastructure and developing an e-portal in Lao, English, and French languages, along with new forms of information such as video and e-paper, as well as in applying information security solutions.

She appreciated the KPL’s support for the VNA bureau in Vientiane, stressing that the faithfulrelationship and practical cooperation between the two news agencies havealways been upheld and constantly reinforced.

Vietnamese, Lao news agencies intensify cooperation ảnh 2KPL General Director Khampheuy Philapha shows the signed cooperation agreement with the VNA at the teleconferenced event on March 29. (Photo: VNA)
The VNA GeneralDirector suggested cooperation activities in 2022, when Vietnam and Laoswill mark the 60th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties (September5, 1962 - 2022) and 45 years since the signing of the Treaty of Friendship andCooperation (July 18, 1977 - 2022). They include joint photo exhibitions, either online or offline, on the two countries’ relations and continued exchange of text and photo news.

The VNA hopes that the KPL will continue to help with the distribution of the Lao version of Vietnam Pictorial, introduce the VNA’se-newspapers like Vietnam Pictorial and VietnamPlus on the KPL’s website, andassist VNA correspondents in Laos. In its capacity, the VNA will maintain supportin terms of technical infrastructure and technology transfer for the Lao side.

The General Director recommended the two sides organisemutual visits by their leaders to promote all-round relations and discusscooperation plans for the time to come. They should also sustain coordination within the framework of theOrganisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) to improve their role and stature at this regional journalism forum.

Besides, the VNA also called forsupport from the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism so that the twonews agencies’ partnership will be include in the inter-governmentalcooperation framework, thereby helping promote communications about the Vietnam- Laos special ties.

Thanking the VNA for its assistance, theKPL General Director affirmed that the two news agencies’ cooperation has beengrowing continually, especially in terms of news exchange and technicalsupport, which has contributed to the two sides’ development.

Khampheuy Philapha agreed on the VNA’scooperation proposals and pledged continued support for the VNA bureau in Laos.He said the KPL always views the Vietnamese side as its close friend.

During the talks, the two newsagencies’ leaders reached in-principle consensus on cooperation plans for thecoming time. They signed an agreement on professional cooperation for 2022 - 2025./.
VNA

See more

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his entourage visit the Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province on April 14. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader visits China’s Xiong'an New Area

Established in April 2017, the Xiong’an New Area is regarded by China as an important historical strategic choice of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, following the development of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in Guangdong and the Pudong New Area in Shanghai.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly are welcomed at Beijing Capital International Airport on April 14 morning. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader arrives in Beijing, beginning state visit to China

The state visit marks a new beginning in the bilateral relations as both countries enter a new stage of development. Vietnam is stepping into a new development era following the successful 14th National Party Congress, while China is embarking on the implementation of its 15th five-year socio-economic development plan.

Professor Cui Shoujun of the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese leader’s visit hoped to provide fresh momentum for bilateral ties: Chinese professor

According to Professor Cui, the visit underscores the guiding role of high-level diplomacy in shaping the bilateral relations. The decision by Vietnam’s top leader to choose China for his first overseas trip shortly after assuming the presidency highlights the strategic significance of the bilateral ties and reaffirms the long-standing friendship often described as “both comrades and brothers.”

Party General Secretary To Lam (R) welcomes Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in Hanoi in April 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–China: New momentum for trade growth

In 2025, China remained Vietnam’s largest trading partner. Conversely, Vietnam was China’s biggest trading partner in ASEAN and ranked fourth globally, with two-way trade reaching 256.4 billion USD, up 24.8% year-on-year. In the first two months of 2026 alone, trade turnover hit 66.7 billion USD, an increase of 30.2%.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam receives Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico on April 13. (Photo: VNA)

Slovak PM concludes official visit to Vietnam

The visit by Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico on April 12-14 was described as a vivid demonstration of Slovakia’s goodwill and high regard for the traditional friendship between the two countries, marking a significant milestone that opens a new phase of more stable and substantive development in bilateral ties.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam (Photo: VNA)

Promoting traditional friendship, enhancing strategic connectivity between Vietnam and China: Top leader

Building on the foundation of friendship carefully nurtured by previous generations of leaders of the two countries, on the high-level common perceptions that have been established, on the determination of agencies, sectors and localities, and on the support of the people of both countries, Vietnam–China relations will certainly continue to develop in a stable, healthy and long-term sustainable manner, bringing more tangible benefits to the two Parties, States and peoples, and making increasingly positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

From left: Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (3rd) and visiting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (2nd) enjoy the Vietnam–Slovakia friendship concert at the Ho Guom Opera in Hanoi on the evening of April 13. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Slovak leaders attend friendship concert in Hanoi

In the near future, further artistic exchanges between Vietnam and Slovakia are anticipated, with Slovak orchestras and ensembles expected to perform in Vietnam, while Vietnamese artists will have opportunities to showcase their talents in Slovakia, thereby deepening bilateral cultural cooperation and people-to-people ties.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (R) and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Photo: VNA)

Top leader hosts Slovak Prime Minister

Slovakia always considers Vietnam the most important partner in Southeast Asia and one of its top three partners in Asia. The elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and the signing of multiple cooperation agreements between ministries, agencies and businesses would provide fresh momentum for collaboration.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (R) and Viktor Zolotov, Director of the Federal National Guard Service of Russia in Hanoi on April 13. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader receives head of Russia’s Federal National Guard Service

Vietnam attaches great importance to its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, expressing satisfaction at the regular exchanges and contacts maintained between agencies of both countries at various levels, contributing to strengthened bilateral ties.

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Nguyen Duy Ngoc presents the appointment decision to Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le Duc Thai (Photo: VNA)

Le Duc Thai named Secretary of Thanh Hoa provincial Party Committee

New Secretary of the Thanh Hoa provincial Party Committee Le Duc Thai pledged to lead by example, uphold unity and creativity, seize opportunities and overcome challenges to successfully achieve the goals set out in the resolution of the provincial Party Congress for the 2025–2030 term, contributing to the nationwide rollout of the 14th National Party Congress’s resolution.

At the phone talks between Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and LDP President and Prime Minister of Japan Takaichi Sanae (Photo: VNA)

Top leader holds phone talks with Japanese PM

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae spoke highly of Vietnam’s role and position in the regionc, calling it a key partner to advance Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision. Japan greatly values Vietnam’s policy of independence and self-reliance and supports its development goals in a new era.