Deputy FM Nguyen Minh Hang attends forum to promote East-West Economic Corridor Connectivity in 2026
WVR - On April 3, in Pakse, Champasak Province, Laos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang led a delegation to attend the "Investment, Trade, and Tourism Cooperation Forum: Promoting East-West Economic Corridor Connectivity in 2026".
Latest
 |
| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang speaks at the 2026 Investment, Trade, and Tourism Cooperation Forum in Pakse, Laos. (Photo: T.Cong) |
Joining the event from Vietnam were Central Committee members Le Ngoc Quang, Secretary of the Da Nang City Party Committee, and Thai Dai Ngoc, Secretary of the Gia Lai Provincial Party Committee; leaders and representatives from the localities of Dak Lak, Hue, An Giang, Quang Ngai, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Khanh Hoa, and Quang Tri.
From Laos and Thailand, there were members of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretaries of the Provincial Party Committees of Champasak, Salavan, Savanakhet, and leaders from Sekong, Attapeu, and Udon Ratchathani Province; along with nearly 400 delegates from ministries, sectors, localities, and enterprises from Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
In her welcoming speech, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang, on behalf of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, extended warm and heartfelt New Year greetings to the leaders and people of Laos on the occasion of the traditional Bunpimay Festival. The Deputy Minister highly appreciated the initiative to organize this strategically significant and practical event, meeting the development needs of both countries in the new phase, affirming the solidarity and close bond of the two nations, Vietnam and Laos.
 |
| Signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Cooperation between Da Nang City and Southern Central Laos localities for the period 2026–2030. (Photo: T.Cong) |
Assessing the complex global situation, with the world economy entering a phase of profound reshaping amid supply chain disruptions and complex geopolitical fluctuations, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang emphasized the urgent need for countries to enhance strategic autonomy, diversify markets, and build more sustainable economic linkages. She also reiterated General Secretary To Lam's directive on the need for the two countries to inherit their great friendship, foster special solidarity, strengthen comprehensive cooperation, and promote strategic connectivity in the new phase, with action guidelines for the new strategic connectivity phase. This includes maximizing mutual support in geo-economics, geopolitics, and geo-culture; borders as spaces of development opportunities and integration.
Recognizing the East-West Economic Corridor as a strategic backbone, from the objective requirements and practical needs of achieving development goals, the Deputy Minister affirmed that this is the time to reposition the East-West Economic Corridor to become a corridor of deep, substantive, and effective economic connectivity. A cross-border supply chain with the mission to contribute to the economic development of localities and countries in the sub-region, with high competitive standing and deeper participation in regional and global supply chains.
The Deputy Minister pointed out the combination of the Central and Southern Laos regions with the central provinces of Vietnam, with Da Nang City as the nucleus, to complete the value chain, transforming high-tech agricultural products, resources, and energy of the two countries to reach the global market with the most optimal logistics costs.
 |
| Cooperation agreements open new opportunities to promote development linkages between Vietnamese and Lao localities. (Photo: T.Cong) |
Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang proposed that the Forum discuss measures, methods, and achieve specific results to build the East-West Economic Corridor into a comprehensive economic connectivity corridor, with new growth drivers, sustainable development with people at the center, ensuring energy security, food security, and effectively responding to non-traditional security challenges. The Deputy Minister also hoped to build the East-West Economic Corridor with deep connections to ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific region, and globally.
Emphasizing an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, friendly, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy; focusing on resilience, enhancing the effectiveness of comprehensive international integration, protecting national interests, and contributing positively and responsibly to the international community and common issues, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with Laos, countries in the Mekong sub-region, and partners to promote the development of the East-West Economic Corridor to meet the demands of the new development phase.
 |
| Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang takes a group photo with leaders of Vietnamese localities attending the Investment, Trade, and Tourism Cooperation Forum, promoting East-West Economic Corridor connectivity in 2026. (Photo: T.Cong) |
Praising the initiative to organize the event, emphasizing that this is a practical activity to implement the policy of strengthening Vietnam-Laos strategic connectivity in the new phase. In the context of complex global economic developments, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs suggested that countries need to enhance their autonomy, diversify markets, and build sustainable linkages.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the East-West Economic Corridor needs to be repositioned to become a comprehensive economic connectivity corridor, not just a transportation route but a highly connected cross-border supply chain. Leveraging the complementary advantages of localities – with the resources and energy advantages of Central and Southern Laos and the infrastructure, seaport, and logistics advantages of Central Vietnam – will create a complete value chain, enhancing competitiveness and the ability to participate more deeply in regional and global value chains.
Within the framework of the Forum, various connectivity activities between localities and enterprises of Vietnam and Laos took place, including the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between Da Nang City and five Southern Central Laos localities for the period 2026-2030. The 2026 trade and tourism fair was also held, featuring over 40 booths to promote and introduce typical products and services of localities and enterprises from both countries.
 |
| Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang visits and works at the Consulate General of Vietnam in Pakse. (Photo: Vietnamese Consulate General in Pakse) |
On the same day, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang visited and worked at the Consulate General of Vietnam in Pakse. During the meeting, the Deputy Minister urged the Consulate General staff to continue innovating their mindset, enhancing proactivity, flexibility, and effectiveness in their work.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the role of economic diplomacy as an important pillar for national development, suggesting that the Consulate General proactively grasp trends and cooperation opportunities in the area, strengthen research, provide advice, closely follow the area, and act as a bridge between localities and enterprises of the two countries, contributing to enhancing the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in a practical and sustainable manner, as well as effectively carrying out citizen protection and supporting the Vietnamese community in the area.
