General Secretary To Lam's visit to Laos: Special political trust paves the way for new heights in bilateral ties
WVR - On the occasion of General Secretary To Lam's upcoming visit to Laos, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam affirmed that the two countries share a rare relationship, maintaining "rare" high-level exchanges as a norm, reflecting a special level of political trust and the steadfast bond between Vietnam and Laos.
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| General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith during a state visit to Vietnam on January 26. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Ambassador, could you share the significance and key focuses of General Secretary To Lam's visit to Laos? What message does the "rare" high-level exchange between the top leaders of the two Parties and countries convey about the Vietnam-Laos relationship??
At the invitation of General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary To Lam will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation on a state visit to Laos on February 5. This visit holds immense political significance as it marks the first foreign visit of Comrade To Lam following the success of the 14th Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, where he was re-elected as General Secretary. Additionally, General Secretary To Lam is the first state guest welcomed by the Party, State, and people of Laos after the 12th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Laos) |
The visit also reciprocates the goodwill shown by the Party, State, and people of Vietnam towards General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse, who chose Vietnam as their first destination in late January 2026 after his re-election as General Secretary of the 12th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. These gestures are highly appreciated among the close comrades and brothers of Vietnam and Laos.
The visit is a crucial opportunity for the high-level leaders of the two Parties and countries to continue comprehensive discussions on recent bilateral cooperation, agree on a long-term vision and cooperation direction, and focus on measures to deepen, substantiate, and enhance the effectiveness of the bilateral relationship. It also aims to concretize the "strategic connectivity" between Vietnam and Laos, aligning with the development needs of each country and the current regional and international context.
The Vietnam-Laos relationship is rare in the world. This is not only recognized by our two countries but also acknowledged internationally. I believe that the rare relationship and the maintenance of "rare" high-level exchanges reflect a special level of political trust and the steadfast bond between Vietnam and Laos.
In the context of rapidly evolving and complex global and regional developments impacting peace, stability, cooperation, and global security, the frequent meetings and exchanges between the high-level leaders of the two countries, especially following significant events like the Party Congress of each country, send a strong message of solidarity, support, and readiness to share strategic visions and closely coordinate in formulating and implementing the development paths of each country. It also demonstrates the determination to jointly protect, nurture, and develop the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, making it stronger, more effective, and elevating it to new heights in the post-Congress period of each Party.
During the visit, both sides will update each other on the situation of each Party and country; exchange and assess regional and international issues of mutual concern; review and evaluate bilateral cooperation results and propose major orientations for cooperation in the new phase, as well as discuss measures to effectively implement high-level agreements, emphasizing specific measures to substantiate strategic connectivity in areas such as politics; defense, security, foreign affairs; economy, trade, investment, and infrastructure development; culture, education, health, science – technology; and cooperation between the committees, ministries, sectors, and localities of the two countries.
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| General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith witness the signing of a Cooperation Agreement between the Central Office of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Central Office of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party for the period 2026-2030. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Firstly, both sides will continue to deepen political relations, serving as the core strategic orientation for the overall relationship between the two countries; enhance cooperation on strategic issues related to the security and development of each country; improve the effectiveness of cooperation at all levels, sectors, and localities of the two countries; and maintain high-level visits and meetings between the two Parties, States, ministries, sectors, and localities.
Secondly, both sides will continue to closely coordinate in defense, security, and foreign affairs, considering these as important pillars in the Vietnam-Laos relationship, contributing to ensuring political security, social order, and firmly protecting independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Thirdly, create strong, strategic breakthroughs in economic, trade, investment, and infrastructure development cooperation to match the stature of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship.
Fourthly, enhance cultural, educational cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, thereby deepening the steadfast bond between the two nations.
Fifthly, expand cooperation, improve effectiveness, and assist each other between the committees, ministries, sectors, and localities of the two countries.
During the visit, both sides are expected to sign several important cooperation documents, creating a legal framework and opening new cooperation directions that align with the development needs of each country and the common interests of the two nations, further deepening the special Vietnam-Laos relationship in the new context.
It can be affirmed that the discussions during the visit will lay a solid foundation for the two countries to continue accompanying and supporting each other in overcoming difficulties and challenges, aiming for sustainable development, self-reliance, and common prosperity of the two nations, while also contributing positively to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
During the recent visit to Vietnam by General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, the leaders of both countries emphasized promoting the integration of the two economies, especially in strategic infrastructure connectivity in transportation, energy, and logistics, as well as bilateral investment. How do you assess the future cooperation between the two countries in these areas?
In recent times, economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos has always been a focus of the leaders of the two Parties and countries, with a strong desire to elevate cooperation in this area to match the excellent political relationship and the inherent potential of the two countries, resulting in significant breakthroughs that have increased the integration of the two economies.
Laos is currently the largest overseas investment destination for Vietnam, with 282 projects and a total registered capital of 6.23 billion USD. Vietnam ranks second among countries investing in Laos. The Vietnam-Laos trade turnover in 2024 surpassed the 2 billion USD mark for the first time, reaching a record 2.2 billion USD; by 2025, it is expected to reach approximately 3 billion USD, an increase of 32.7% compared to 2024.
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| Vietnam-Laos energy cooperation is a crucial lever, bringing practical benefits to both sides. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Laos) |
The fields of transportation infrastructure, energy, logistics, and bilateral investment are identified as continuous orientations, playing a key role in the sustainable development of each nation. Strengthening economic connectivity not only provides short-term support in the current phase but also represents a long-term strategic vision to optimize internal resources and enhance the position of each country in the regional supply chain.
I believe that the promotion of economic integration between the two countries, especially in strategic infrastructure connectivity in transportation, energy, and logistics, as well as bilateral investment, will create significant shifts in cooperation between the two countries in these areas in the future, because:
Firstly, transportation infrastructure and logistics are crucial fields, serving as pillars in the economic integration of Laos and Vietnam. Transportation connectivity not only supports economic, trade, and investment development but also facilitates people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
Completing key transportation infrastructure systems connecting the two nations, such as the Hanoi - Vientiane expressway, the Vung Ang - Vientiane railway, and transportation routes along the East-West economic corridor through the territories of the two countries, and developing ports 1, 2, and 3 of Vung Ang port, is a top priority to enhance connectivity between Laos, Vietnam, and other regional countries and beyond.
Logistics, linked with transportation infrastructure, helps enhance and improve the efficiency of goods circulation and the connectivity of the two economies. Improving technical infrastructure and mechanisms, and policies in developing logistics services cooperation helps reduce transportation costs, shorten circulation time, and increase the competitiveness of Vietnamese and Lao enterprises. Recently, Viettel launched the Unitel Logistics brand in Laos with an investment of 600 million USD, expanding smart warehouse systems and applying digital technology in supply chain management, creating synchronization between transportation infrastructure development and logistics systems, thereby creating significant advantages in cost and time for goods exchange between Vietnam and Laos, enhancing competitiveness in the international market.
Secondly, along with infrastructure and logistics, energy cooperation is a crucial lever, bringing practical benefits to both sides. With favorable natural conditions, Laos has great potential for renewable energy such as wind and solar power. Cross-border power projects and electricity transmission to Vietnam not only help Laos increase budget revenue but also ensure energy security, serving key economic sectors of the two countries. This is a mutually supportive cooperation relationship, based on the needs and inherent strengths of each country.
Notable energy projects include: Vietnam-Laos Energy Investment and Development Joint Stock Company (Phu Dien Group) implementing wind power projects in Laos with a total capacity of 5,100 MW and a total investment of 9.7 billion USD. The Savan 1 wind power project by T&T Group, with a total investment of 768 million USD, phase 1 with a capacity of 300 MW has been put into commercial operation, providing electricity, creating jobs, and contributing to local infrastructure development. Additionally, many other large and small renewable energy development projects are being implemented by Vietnamese and Lao enterprises in Laos…
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| Vietnamese enterprises invest in dairy farming in Laos. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Laos) |
The contents of cooperation in infrastructure connectivity, logistics, and energy (such as electricity, coal) are prioritized for implementation to substantiate the "strategic connectivity" in these fields. The implementation results will lay the foundation to meet the economic-social development needs, enhance production capacity, and the competitiveness of the two economies in the process of international economic integration.
I believe that with the unified determination and high action of the leaders of the two Parties and countries, along with the very active and dynamic participation of the business community, the connectivity of transportation infrastructure, logistics, and energy between the two countries will continue to be rapidly deployed and completed.
This holds significant importance in promoting and creating breakthroughs in economic, trade, and investment cooperation, realizing the goal of economic and strategic integration between Vietnam and Laos; contributing to nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connectivity between Vietnam and Laos, bringing prosperity, well-being, and happiness to the people of the two nations.
