Politburo member and Standing Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tran Cam Tu held talks with Vilay Lakhamphong, his counterpart from the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, in Hanoi on October 15. The sides exchanged information on their Parties and countries and discussed Vietnam-Laos relations.
They agreed on measures to further strengthen and develop ties between the two Parties and countries. Tran Cam Tu welcomed Vilay’s first overseas visit in his current position and said it would strengthen political trust and links between the two countries’ leaders.
Vietnam reaffirmed its highest priority for relations with Laos and its commitment to preserving friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion. The sides exchanged assessments of developments in both countries and the implementation of Party decisions, institutional improvement, administrative reform, science, innovation and digital transformation.
Political and economic ties
The two sides agreed to strengthen political relations, maintain regular meetings and mutual visits, and use more effectively cooperation mechanisms involving the Parties, governments, parliaments, committees, ministries, social organisations and local authorities of the two countries.
They agreed to share more experience in Party building, socio-economic development, defence, security and international integration, and turn high-level agreements into concrete programmes and results. They will continue training strategic and young officials and help businesses expand trade, investment and joint projects, particularly in border areas.
Vietnam and Laos set a goal of raising bilateral trade to 5 billion USD in the near future. They agreed to improve the mechanisms and legal framework for cooperation in trade, investment, transport, energy, the digital economy and supply chains, and to develop infrastructure, logistics, border gates and strategic transport routes.
The sides discussed key projects, cooperation between border localities and links between economic cooperation and defence and security. Tran Cam Tu thanked Laos for helping search for and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese volunteers and experts who died in Laos.
Education and human resources
The sides described education, training and human resources development as areas of long-term strategic importance. They agreed to improve training for Lao officials and students in Vietnam, expand experience sharing, and teach younger generations about the traditional solidarity and special friendship between the two peoples.
Vilay thanked Vietnam for supporting human resources training, including scholarships and help with school construction. The sides also agreed to prepare important high-level activities and jointly organise the Vietnam-Laos Year of Friendship and Solidarity in 2027, which will mark 65 years of diplomatic relations and 50 years since the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation was signed.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
