Shaping landscape for Viet Nam–Lao cooperation in new period

In an interview ahead of the visit, Deputy Minister Nguyen said that the Party chief's decision to choose Laos as the first country to visit in his new term carries profound political significance. 

It is the first State-level visit to Laos after the neighboring country successfully organized its 12th National Party Congress, and comes just over one week after Viet Nam welcomed General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith as the first foreign leader to visit Viet Nam following success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. This vividly demonstrates Viet Nam's consistent policy of attaching special importance and top priority to the Viet Nam–Laos relationship.

The visit provides an important opportunity for the two Parties and two States to continue reaffirming their special solidarity, faithful companionship and close-knit bond—an enduring relationship that has been tested, tempered and continuously nurtured throughout history.

At the same time, the visit reflects the highest level of political determination of the top leaders of both countries to advance bilateral relations in an increasingly substantive, effective and practical manner, closely aligned with each country's development needs and long-term strategic interests. Amid rapid and complex regional and global developments, further strengthening strategic ties between Viet Nam and Laos is of great significance not only for the stability and sustainable development of each country, but also for that of the region.

During the visit, General Secretary To Lam is set to hold talks and meetings with senior leaders of the Lao Party and State to exchange views on the situation of each Party and country, review cooperation results in recent years, and chart major orientations for bilateral cooperation in the new stage of development. The two sides are also expected to sign a number of important cooperation documents between ministries, sectors and localities, creating a solid legal foundation and fresh momentum to promote deeper, more substantive and more effective cooperation.

The two sides will further concretize the concept of "strategic alignment," which was agreed upon by General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in December 2025 to elevate bilateral relations to a new level. This concept is not only a political and diplomatic affirmation, but also an action-oriented framework aimed at enhancing strategic connectivity and mutual support between the two countries in development, security and international integration.

Viet Nam and Laos are expected to sign several new cooperation documents among key ministries, agencies, and local governments with an aim to provide a stronger legal foundation and new momentum for translating high-level commitments into measurable outcomes.

With a long-term strategic vision, the visit targets to strengthen exchanges and build consensus on strategic issues and major orientations in bilateral relations in the new context following the two countries' recent Party Congresses. It also seeks to promote comprehensive and closely linked cooperation across key fields such as politics, defense, security, economy, culture, education, health, science and technology, innovation and people-to-people exchanges, thereby bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.

In addition, the two sides will discuss ways to enhance coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums for peace, stability, cooperation and development, contributing to improving each country's standing and prestige on the international stage.

Injecting new momentum into bilateral cooperation

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam said the reciprocal high-level exchanges demonstrate the exceptionally high level of political trust and the consistent priority both sides place on comprehensive cooperation.

"This visit once again affirms Viet Nam's steadfast policy of giving top priority to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos," the Ambassador stressed.

He noted that political relations remain the core pillar guiding overall bilateral ties, while defence and security cooperation serves as a crucial foundation for safeguarding stability, public order and development in both countries. The two sides are also striving to achieve breakthroughs in economic, trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation so that these areas become a strategic pillar commensurate with the depth of the special relationship.

The diplomat added that strategic connectivity should be strengthened in institutions, transport infrastructure, energy, logistics, telecommunications and tourism, alongside the implementation of key investment projects with spillover effects. Culture, education and people-to-people exchanges, particularly among youth, are regarded as a long-term and sustainable foundation for ensuring continuity of bilateral relations across generations.

Expressing confidence in the outcomes of the visit, Ambassador Nguyen said General Secretary To Lam's visit would inject new momentum into bilateral cooperation and further translate strong political trust into concrete results, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region.

General Secretary To Lam will pay his first state visit of the new term to Laos on February 5, at the invitation of General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. The trip marks a strong political signal reaffirming Viet Nam’s consistent, top-level commitment to its special relationship with Laos.

Over the years, Viet Nam–Laos relations have consistently progressed across all sectors. Bilateral trade reached a record of US$3 billion in 2025, while Vietnamese investment in Laos surged more than seven-fold compared to the previous year - bringing cumulative registered capital to US$6.21 billion across 276 projects. Viet Nam remains among Laos' top foreign investors./.