PM’s visit set to boost special Vietnam-Laos relations
The first official visit to Laos by Nguyen Xuan Phuc in his capacity as Vietnamese Prime Minister from April 26-27 is set to solidify the countries’ cooperation, which has been growing over the last 55 years.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will an an official visit to Laos from April 26-27 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The first official visit toLaos by Nguyen Xuan Phuc in his capacity as Vietnamese Prime Minister fromApril 26-27 is set to solidify the countries’ cooperation, which has beengrowing over the last 55 years.
Vietnam and Laos established their diplomaticrelationship on September 5, 1962.
Since then, they have maintained bilateralcooperation mechanisms such as the annual meeting of the IntergovernmentalCommittee on bilateral cooperation, with the most recent – the 39th meeting –held on February 8, 2017. They have also held mutual visits at all levels, with370 delegations exchanged in 2016.
The two sides have also intensified diplomaticties by initiating the annual dialogue between their foreign ministers inDecember 2014 and the political consultation between deputy foreign ministersin July 2015.
As of the end of February 2017, Vietnam had 408projects with total capital of about 3.7 billion USD in Laos. Many of them haveproved profitable, contributing to both nations’ development and creating jobsin Laos.
The countries signed a new trade agreement inMarch 2015 and a cross-border trade agreement in June the same year. Bilateraltrade reached 823 million USD in 2016.
Security-defence cooperation has been reinforcedin all aspects, especially personnel training.
Meanwhile, a project on upgrading the bordermarker system along the shared borderline was completed. The two countries alsoinked a protocol on the Vietnam-Laos border and border markers and have implementedthe two Governments’ agreement on tackling unplanned migration and unregisteredmarriage in border areas.
They have also done a good job of searching forand repatriating the remains of Vietnam’s soldiers. In the 2015-2016 dryseason, 233 Vietnamese martyrs in Laos were repatriated.
The two neighbours have accelerated transportconnectivity projects within the framework of bilateral cooperation and theGreater Mekong Subregion.
A memorandum of understanding on transportcooperation strategy for 2016-2025 was signed between the two Governments inSeptember 2015. They are also considering the application of a “one-stop shop”model at more border gates.
In the 2015-2016 academic year, Vietnam gave1,000 scholarships to Laos, which in turn granted 60 scholarships to Vietnam.
The countries have enjoyed mutual support atregional and international forums, coordinated with other member nations tobuild the ASEAN Community, and helped maintain ASEAN’s unity in the region’sstrategic issues.-VNA
The Lao State has presented medals and orders to 33 officials, experts, and volunteer soldiers in Vietnam’s central Da Nang city in recognition of their contributions to Laos’s revolution.
The Vietnam–Laos Friendship Association of the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long will focus on organising exchange and cooperation activities to strengthen the traditional friendship and mutual understanding between the Lao people and locals in Vinh Long.
Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, Head of Vietnam’s permanent delegation to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva, congratulated Lao Ambassador Khan-Inh Khitchadeth on the occasion of the traditional Bul Pi May New Year festival in Geneva on April 21.
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.
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.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will an an official visit to Laos from April 26-27 (Photo: VNA) 
