Vietnam ready to assist Laos in fight against COVID-19: PM
Vietnam always stands side by side and stays ready to help Laos, within its ability, to push back the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane during their meeting in Hanoi on December 6
PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)🤡 - Vietnam always standsside by side and stays ready to help Laos, within its ability, to push back theCOVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told President of theLao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane during their meeting in Hanoi onDecember 6.
Both leaders said they were delighted to see that the great friendship, special solidarityand comprehensive cooperation between the two countries have been increasingly strengthened in all areas, from politics,diplomacy, national defence-security, to economy, trade, investment, socio-culture,and education-training. Amid theCOVID-19 pandemic, two-way trade still surpassed 1 billion USD in the first ten months of 2021, up over 30.1 percent from the same period last year. Vietnam was the third biggest foreign investor inLaos, with 209 projects worth 5.18 billion USD. Saysomphoneexpressed his profound thanks to the Vietnamese Party, State and people forproviding timely and invaluable support to Laos in the fight against thepandemic. Both leaders agreed to effectively carry out high-level agreements and prepare for theupcoming 44th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-GovernmentalCommittee, continue working closely together to fight COVID-19, strengthennational defence-security collaboration, step up economic, trade and investmentties as well as accelerating infrastructure projectssuch as Hanoi – Vientiane expressway and Vung Ang 1, 2, 3 seaports. Theypledged to continue effectively implementing signed education projects; jointlyhold activities to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of diplomaticties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Treatyof Amity and Cooperation in 2022; support each other at multilateral forums,especially in issues regarding each country’s security and development, as well aspeace, stability and cooperation in the region, including the sustainable useand management of water sources in Mekong River, and the East Sea issue./.
Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane started a three-day official visit to Vietnam on December 6 at the invitation of Vietnamese NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.
Collaboration opportunities between Vietnam and Laos remain huge for bringing mutual benefits to their farmers, said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan at his talks with Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Phet Phomphiphak on December 6 regarding bilateral engagements in agro-forestry and rural development.
Chairwoman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Bui Thi Minh Hoai held online talks with President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee Sinlavong Khutphaythoun to discuss bilateral ties and future orientations.
Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane and a high ranking delegation of the Lao legislature arrived in Hanoi on December 6, starting a three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Vietnamese NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.
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.
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.
PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane. (Photo: VNA) 
