ASEAN 2020: Defence ministers of Vietnam, Laos meet in Hanoi
Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich had a meeting with his Lao counterpart Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath in Hanoi on February 18 within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat).
Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich (R) meets with his Lao counterpart Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath in Hanoi on February 18 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of National Defence Gen.Ngo Xuan Lich had a meeting with his Lao counterpart Gen. Chansamone Chanyalathin Hanoi on February 18 within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat).
Welcoming the Lao People’s Army delegation tothe ADMM Retreat held from February 18 to 20, the host said this is animportant meeting that will set the directions for ASEAN defence and militarycooperation for 2020 and the following years, as well as contribute to thesuccess of the ADMM Plus.
Vietnam hopes Laos and other ASEAN members willjoin hands to consolidate defence – military cooperation mechanisms and buildan ASEAN Community that is cohesive and responsive to external factors in linewith the theme “Defence cooperation for a cohesive and responsive ASEAN” for2020 chosen by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, Lich noted.
For his part, Minister Chanyalath highly valuedthe Vietnamese ministry’s preparations for the ADMM Retreat and military –defence activities during the year the country holds the ASEAN chairmanship.
Although the ADMM Treat takes place amid theCOVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam has played an active role in disease prevention soas to help participating delegation feel secure, he added.
The Lao official expressed his belief that underthe chair of Vietnam in 2020, the ADMM and ADMM Plus cooperation mechanismswill continue affirming their important role in the regional securityarchitecture.
At the meeting, the two sides shared the viewthat defence cooperation is always considered one of the key pillars inVietnam-Laos relations.
They agreed to coordinate closely in directingthe countries’ agencies and units to fully and effectively implement theprotocol on defence cooperation for 2020-2024 and annual cooperation plans./.
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As many as 12 collectives and 52 individuals of the Vietnam’s National Assembly were presented with the Lao State’s orders and medals in Hanoi on January 9.
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Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Seongnam Air Base in Seoul on August 10 afternoon (local time), beginning a state visit to the Republic of Korea from August 10-13.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
Minister of National Defence Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich (R) meets with his Lao counterpart Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath in Hanoi on February 18 (Photo: VNA) 
