Prime Minister Le Minh Hung hosted a welcome ceremony in Hanoi on June 7 for his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, who began a three-day official visit to Vietnam and attendance at the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF).

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (left) and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone review the Guard of Honorof the Vietnam People's Army.

Attending the ceremony were Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, among other senior officials of Vietnam.

The visit takes place as Vietnam–Laos relations continue to be strengthened and grow in a substantive and effective manner across all fields. The two countries consistently accord each other special importance and the highest priority in their respective foreign policies.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on September 5, 1962, the two nations have maintained close and enduring ties, demonstrating unwavering solidarity and mutual support in their respective causes of national construction and defence.

The elevation of bilateral relations in February 2019 to a “great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation” marked a historic milestone, creating new momentum for cooperation between the two countries.

Building on that tradition, the high-ranking leaders of the two nations agreed to further deepen cooperation and elevate bilateral ties to a new level of “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion” in December 2025, reflecting the shared vision, intertwined strategic interests and long-term commitment of both countries to sustainable development, resilience, and common prosperity.

The two sides have effectively maintained bilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly the meeting of the Vietnam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee, as well as cooperation frameworks between ministries, sectors and localities, alongside regular high-level exchanges.

Vietnam and Laos have consistently coordinated closely and supported each other at regional and international forums, especially within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation has also recorded significant progress. Bilateral trade reached 3 billion USD in 2025, up 32% from the previous year.

Many investment projects by Vietnamese enterprises have become successful models of cooperation, contributing to job creation, budget revenue and technology transfer in Laos.

Meanwhile, defence and security cooperation has continued to expand, serving as a key pillar of bilateral relations and contributing to political stability, national defence, security and social order in both countries.

Collaboration in transport connectivity, education and training, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges has also achieved positive results.

Prime Minister Sonexay’s official visit and attendance at the third AFF carry special significance as it provides an opportunity for the two countries’ high-ranking leaders to comprehensively review the implementation of agreements reached in recent years and discuss future cooperation orientations.

The two countries are focusing not only on expanding cooperation but also on improving its quality and depth while further aligning their strategic interests.

The concept of “strategic cohesion” is being translated into concrete cooperation in key areas, including strategic infrastructure, economy, energy, digital transformation, finance and monetary affairs, human resources development, and coordination within multilateral mechanisms.

Children from the Vietnamese capital present flowers to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Prime Minister Sonexay’s participation in two of the three AFF held so far demonstrates Laos’ strong support for Vietnam’s initiative to promote strategic dialogue on ASEAN future.

Following the welcome ceremony, the two Prime Ministers held talks to review bilateral cooperation and discuss future directions.

They also witnessed the exchange of four cooperation documents between the two countries' ministries and agencies.

These included a cooperation agreement between Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance and Laos’ Ministry of Finance for the 2026–2030 period; a memorandum of understanding between Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training and Laos’ Ministry of Education and Sports on cooperation in Lao-language teaching in Vietnam, strengthening Vietnamese-language teaching in Laos, and facilitating the enrolment of Lao students in Vietnamese boarding schools; a memorandum of understanding between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos on a transport cooperation strategy for 2026–2035; and an agreement between Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister of Laos on cooperation in ethnic and religious affairs for the 2026–2035 period.

Later the same day, Prime Minister Sonexay and the Lao high-ranking delegation laid wreaths at the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, and the monument to war heroes and martyrs in Hanoi.

Bac Ninh boosts cooperation with Laos’ Xaysomboun province

BAC NINH - Le Xuan Loi, member of the provincial Party Committee’s Standing Board and Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, on April 8 received a delegation from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Laos’ Xaysomboun province during their trip to learn from and exchange experience with Bac Ninh province.

Senior Party official begins official visit to Laos

During his stay in Vientiane, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu is scheduled to meet with senior Lao leaders on major orientations to further promote comprehensive cooperation, focusing on effectively implementing existing agreements and deepening the bilateral relations in a way that brings tangible benefits to people in both countries.

 

Vietnam, Laos step up investment cooperation to advance East–West Economic Corridor connectivity

The forum served as an important platform to enhance connectivity and promote investment, trade and tourism ties along the EWEC, while supporting businesses in market exploration, product promotion and export expansion to Laos and Northeast Thailand.

 

Vietnamese businesses in Laos promote social welfare initiatives

The Gold Phuc Company - a Vietnamese-invested business in Laos - organised a visit and presented gifts to students at the school for the visually impaired under Thongpong Eye Hospital in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane capital on February 28. The programme forms part of the company’s annual social welfare activities, reflecting its commitment to supporting the host community.

 

Top leaders of Vietnam and Laos hold talks in Vientiane

General Secretary To Lam affirmed that the CPV always regards the successes of the Party, State and people of Laos as a shared joy, consistently places strong trust in and supports Laos’s cause of national construction and development. 

 

Party General Secretary To Lam leaves Hanoi for state visit to Laos

The trip is an occasion for the two Parties and countries to continue affirming their great special solidarity, faithful attachment, and unwavering bond, a relationship that has been tested and continuously nurtured throughout history.