Top Lao legislator begins four-day official visit to Viet Nam

This is the first official visit to Viet Nam by Sonexay Siphandone in his capacity as President of the Lao National Assembly (NA).

It reaffirms the enduring bonds of great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos, while demonstrating the determination of the two countries' top leaders to further deepen their special relationship in an increasingly substantive and sustainable manner.

The visit takes place as both countries embark on a new phase of development, with fresh goals and strategic visions. It also comes ahead of two major milestones in 2027: the 65th founding anniversary of Viet Nam-Laos diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962-2027) and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Viet Nam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977-2027).

Against this backdrop, the visit provides an opportunity for the two sides to discuss strategic orientations and concrete measures to further deepen bilateral ties, particularly cooperation between the two legislative bodies, while translating high-level agreements into practical results.

Viet Nam and Laos have maintained close political ties and regular exchanges at all levels. In the first 10 months of 2026, the two countries exchanged more than 100 delegations, including 15 high-level delegations.

Notable engagements included the state visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on January 26-27, 2026, and the state visit to Laos by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam on February 5, 2026.

These high-level exchanges have helped consolidate political trust, strengthen strategic coordination and create fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation across various fields.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation has remained a key priority in Viet Nam-Laos relations, with both sides consistently working to strengthen connectivity and promote mutually beneficial collaboration.

Bilateral trade reached US$3 billion in 2025 and US$1.6 billion in the first eight months of 2026. The two countries are striving to raise two-way trade to US$5 billion and US$10 billion in the coming years.

Viet Nam has remained one of the leading foreign investors in Laos. As of August 2026, Vietnamese enterprises had 301 active investment projects in Laos, with total registered capital exceeding US$7 billion, making Viet Nam the second-largest foreign investor in the country.

In the first eight months of 2026 alone, Vietnamese enterprises launched 21 new investment projects in Laos, with combined registered capital of nearly US$700 million, four times the figure recorded in the whole of 2025.

Many Vietnamese-invested projects have operated effectively, contributing to Laos' socio-economic development, generating employment, improving incomes for thousands of workers and increasing State budget revenues.

Defence and security cooperation has also continued to expand, remaining one of the key pillars of the special relationship between the two countries.

The official visit by NA President Sonexay Siphandone is expected to inject fresh impetus into bilateral cooperation, particularly parliamentary ties, and contribute to building an increasingly close, effective and sustainable Viet Nam-Laos relationship for the benefits of their peoples./.