Representatives of the Lao Women's Union present the champa flower symbol of Laos to a resident of the Tra Que vegetable farming village in Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, during a visit in early July. (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – The July 11 issue of Vientiane Times ran an article about theLaos - Vietnam relations, which it said are increasingly intensified.
Highlightingthe two countries’ close-knit and long-standing neighbourliness and solidarity,the writing cited late Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane as saying that in thehistory of world revolution, there were many bright examples of theinternational proletariat sentiment, but there had never been such particularlydurable and comprehensive solidarity like the Laos - Vietnam relations.
The 1962Geneva agreement for Laos created conditions for the two countries toofficially set up diplomatic ties on September 5, 1962. After Laos gained completeindependence in 1975, they signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation in1977.
VientianeTimes said this year, the countries mark the 60th anniversary oftheir diplomatic relations and 45 years since the signing of the Treaty ofFriendship and Cooperation. This is an occasion to recall the Ho Chi MinhTrail that traversed five Lao provinces in the western side of Truong Son MountainRange.
President KaysonePhomvihane used to say that the Ho Chi Minh Trail created optimal conditionsfor the liberation of southern Vietnam and momentum for the Lao revolution,which respectively came to success in April 1975 and December 1975, accordingto the newspaper.
Today, newgenerations of Vietnam and Laos greatly treasure their countries’ special relationsand always feel secure about the future of this neighbourliness, the articlenoted, adding that it is the heritage of sacrifices by revolutionary veteransas well as the wisdom and vision of Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvongof Laos and Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam./.
A delegation of the Lao Women's Union led by its President Inlavanh Keobounphan paid a friendly visit to the central province of Quang Nam on July 5-6.
Laos enjoyed over 400 million USD in trade surplus with Vietnam in the first six months of this year, excluding trade on power, according to Laos’ Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
Vice Chairman Sommad Pholsena and a delegation of the of the Lao National Assembly (NA) held a working session in Hanoi on July 8 with the Office of the Vietnamese NA, during which the two sides exchanged experience in building a tradition hall.
The unceasing development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, particularly after the two countries signed a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 1977, has brought practical benefits to their people, said a senior Party official of Laos.
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.
Representatives of the Lao Women's Union present the champa flower symbol of Laos to a resident of the Tra Que vegetable farming village in Hoi An city, Quang Nam province, during a visit in early July. (Photo: VNA) 
