Promoting strategic connectivity between Viet Nam and Laos in new phase

To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation on a state visit to Laos on February 5, 2026, at the invitation of Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Immediately after the state welcome ceremony on January 26, 2026, General Secretary To Lam held talks with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith at the headquarters of the Party Central Committee. (Photo: Dang Khoa)

The visit takes place at a moment of special significance, amid an atmosphere of joy and optimism in both countries following the resounding success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Laos - his first overseas trip after the 14th Party Congress — underscoresthe Party and State of Viet Nam’s highest regard for and top priority accorded to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connectivity between the two countries. The visit will also provide the top leaders of both sides with an opportunity to exchange views and reach consensus on orientations for strengthening bilateral relations in the new context following their respective party congresses.

Around the world, few bilateral relationships are as profound, loyal, sincere, and enduring as that between Viet Nam and Laos. This special bond was forged, matured, and strengthened through the fiery years of war, when the two nations shared hardships in the struggle for independence and freedom, and later stood shoulder to shoulder in overcoming difficulties during the cause of national construction and development. Throughout the process of renewal and integration, the special Viet Nam–Laos relationship has remained a priceless shared asset, a source of strength and a strategic anchor for stability and development, and a vital factor for the revolutionary cause of each country. Building on the tradition of great friendship between the two peoples, the top leaders of the two parties and states have agreed to give the highest priority to jointly elevating Viet Nam-Laos relations to new heights.

In December 2025, the senior leaders of the two countries agreed to add new substance to further deepen and elevate the bilateral relationship to the level of “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connectivity.” This marked a historic step forward in bilateral cooperation, fully reflecting the stature and depth of the relationship, while affirming the shared vision, intertwined strategic interests and long-term companionship of Viet Nam and Laos in pursuit of sustainable development, self-reliance, and prosperity.

In recent years, Viet Nam–Laos relations have continued to develop positively. Political trust and strategic confidence have been further consolidated and strengthened, playing a core role in guiding the overall direction of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. Both sides have actively implemented and effectively utilised existing cooperation mechanisms, notably including high-level meetings between the two parties; meetings and exchanges between the two general secretaries; sessions of the Viet Nam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee co-chaired by the two prime ministers; and meetings between the two national assembly chairpersons. Frequent mutual visits by senior leaders of the two parties and states at the outset of their new terms serve as vivid and compelling evidence of the special importance attached to deepening Viet Nam–Laos solidarity, as well as the strong determination to align the elevation of bilateral relations with each country’s development aspirations.

On the basis of high political trust, cooperation between the two countries has achieved many commendable results across various fields. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation has seen positive changes, with new bright spots emerging and longstanding bottlenecks being addressed. Bilateral trade turnover has recorded sustained growth over many years and surpassed 3 billion USD for the first time in 2025. Notably, Viet Nam dispatched delegations of economic and financial experts to support and advise Laos in addressing macroeconomic challenges. Several of Viet Nam’s breakthrough experiences and policies have been absorbed and applied in practice by Laos to tackle economic and financial difficulties and to build an independent and self-reliant economy.

Defence and security cooperation has continued to be strengthened in both quality and scale. The two sides have worked closely together and supported each other in safeguarding political stability, national defence and security, and social order and safety. They have maintained security, order and peace along the shared border, promoted the model of twinned border communities, and contributed to building a peaceful, stable, friendly, and sustainably developing border. In addition, cooperation in culture, education, science, and technology, among other areas, has also yielded many tangible outcomes.

General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Laos is takingplace immediately after the successful conclusion of the state visit to Viet Nam by Lao General Secretary cumPresident Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse. The fact that senior leaders of the two countries are maintaining regular contact at the highest level reaffirms the political trust and deep strategic connectivity between Viet Nam and Laos - two neighbouring countries bound by close and fraternal ties.

May the state visit to Laos by General Secretary To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation be a success, contributing to the continued sustainable and long-term development of the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connectivity between Viet Nam and Laos.

NDO