Cooperation in planning, investment helps boost Laos-Vietnam ties: Lao minister
Results of cooperation between the Ministries of Planning and Investment, as well as the Cooperation Committees of Laos and Vietnam in recent years have made important contributions to the development of the two countries’ relations, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongxa said on May 13.
Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongxa (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) - Results of cooperation between the Ministries ofPlanning and Investment, as well as the Cooperation Committees of Laos andVietnam in recent years have made important contributions to the development ofthe two countries’ relations, Lao Minister of Planning and Investment KhamjaneVongxa said on May 13.
In an interview granted to the media of both countries,Minister Khamjane stated that 2022 is a year of great historical significancewhen the Lao Party, army and people are coordinating with the Vietnamese sides incarrying out many practical activities to celebrate the Laos-Vietnam Friendshipand Solidarity Year marking 60 years of the establishment of diplomaticrelations and 45 years of the signing of the Treaty on Amity and Cooperationbetween the two countries.
In 2021, despite complicated developments of the regional andworld situations, the bilateral great friendship, special solidarity andcomprehensive cooperation were enhanced.
This year, the two sides continue to strengthen and improvethe effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms; implement joint statements, bilateralcooperation agreements and documents as well as the outcomes of visits and meetingsbetween their leaders in appropriate forms; coordinate and effectively organiseactivities on the occasion of the Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022; and payattention to preventing drug, human trafficking and smuggling crimes andillegal exploitation of natural resources, he said.
Regarding economic cooperation, the minister stated that Vietnamhas to date invested in 417 projects worth 4.3 billion USD, ranking third outof 54 nations and territories pouring capital in Laos.
Last year, two-way trade hit 1.37 billion USD, up 33.3 percentyear-on-year. They are striving to increase the turnover to 10-15 percent thisyear.
The two countries are also making efforts to promoteconnectivity between the two economies, including hard and soft infrastructure,especially road, railway, airport and seaport projects such as Nongkhang airport,Vung Ang 1,2,3 wharves, Laos-Vietnam railway and Hanoi-Vientiane expressway./.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue will lead a high-level delegation of the legislature to make an official visit to Laos from May 15-17, the NA’s Committee for External Relations announced on May 12.
PathetLao Daily, a publication of the Lao News Agency, ran an article on May 13 about the upcoming visit by Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, saying the trip reflects the Vietnamese Party and State’s respect for the ties and special political trust with Laos.
Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue will lead a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam to pay an official visit to Laos on May 15-17 at the invitation of his Lao counterpart Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
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.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Lao Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongxa (Photo: VNA) 
