Major newspapers in Laos on January 5 ran front-page articles on the official visit to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone from January 6-7, highlighting that the visit will help strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
Front page of the Pathet Lao on January 5 (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA)♍ – Major newspapers in Laos on January5 ran front-page articles on the official visit to Vietnam by Lao PrimeMinister Sonexay Siphandone from January 6-7, highlighting that the visit willhelp strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensivecooperation between the two countries.
The Pasaxon (The People), the official newspaper of the Lao People'sRevolutionary Party, ran an article titled “Laos-Vietnam relations developcomprehensively”, affirmedthat over the past year, the cooperation between the two countries has continuously developed, growing more comprehensive and achieving results inmany aspects.
Political relations between Laos and Vietnam continue to bedeepened, with the two sides jointly organising visits andexperience exchanges at high-level and other levels fromcentral to local.
💮 In 2023, Laos welcomed several top leaders of Vietnam including President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and NationalAssembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.
Through all-level visits, both sides affirmed to continueto strengthen and enhance the great friendship, special solidarity, andcomprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
In the fields of economics, trade, and investment, Vietnam continues to be one of the major foreign investors inLaos, and many projects invested by Vietnamese enterprises have made important contribution to local economic development and job creation.
꧒ In 2023, Vietnam also handed over to Laos several large aid projects such as the Laos-Vietnam Friendship hospital in Xiengkhouang province or the upgraded Xaysomboun hospital.
The article concluded that all theabove-mentioned results have great and important significance and are thefoundation for the further development of the two countries’ relations. An editorial on the Pathet Lao also underlined the special significance ofLaos-Vietnam relations and their cooperation achievements during the past time. The article affirms that for the past over 60 years since the twocountries established their diplomatic ties, Laos and Vietnam are always proudof their growing special solidarity. It is this special solidarity that greatly contributes to the nationalprotection and development of the two countries, the editorial said, adding that it is also a priceless assetthat generations of people of Laos and Vietnam should continue to protect, foster and develop./.
The upcoming official visit of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to Vietnam from January 6-7 is expected to enhance the trust and close bond between the two Parties and Governments and contribute to making the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation more substantial and effective, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung.
General Secretary of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) and Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong had a working session in Hanoi on January 4 with Vice President of the Lao legislature Chaleun Yiapaoher on documents on the NA history as well as the relationship between the two legislative bodies.
The upcoming trip to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone is expected to create new impulse for the special cooperation between the two countries, especially economic collaboration, making it a firm pillar of the bilateral ties.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
Front page of the Pathet Lao on January 5 (Photo: VNA) 
