The Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party share a common origin: the Indochinese Communist Party. The Vietnam-Laos relationship, founded by the great President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, has been diligently nurtured by generations of leaders of the two Parties, two States, and the people of both countries. It has become a symbol of international solidarity, an invaluable shared asset of the two nations, an objective necessity, a historical law, and the greatest source of strength for both countries, serving as a foundation for both to develop and pass on to future generations.

On the occasion of the State visit to Vietnam by the General Secretary and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, from September 10 to 13, 2024, Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Deputy Head of the Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Department, wrote an article on the outstanding achievements in Vietnam-Laos relations in recent times.

The Vietnam Communist Party's online newspaper respectfully presents the full text of the article:

President Ho Chi Minh converses with President Kaysone Phomvihane in Hanoi in 1966. (Photo: VNA)

"The visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith is the second visit since the beginning of the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (January 2021) and immediately follows the State visit of Comrade To Lam in his capacity as President (July 2024). It is a vivid testament to the deep and profound affection, the great friendship, the special solidarity, and the loyal and sincere relationship between the two Parties, two States, and the people of Vietnam and Laos."

The visit takes place in the context of the two Parties and two countries vigorously implementing their respective resolutions and actively preparing for Party congresses at all levels, leading up to the national congresses of each Party. Vietnam-Laos relations are developing very well and have achieved many important accomplishments. The visit is one of the important milestones in the history of bilateral relations, contributing to promoting the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos to a new level, becoming increasingly deeper, more effective, and practical, bringing prosperity to the people of each country.

It can be seen that, under the leadership and guidance of the two Parties, directly the Politburo and the Secretariat, the Government and the National Assembly, in the past period, the Party committees, ministries and agencies of the Government, agencies of the National Assembly, the Fatherland Front, political organizations, localities, and enterprises of the two countries have proactively coordinated and actively implemented the Agreement between the high-level leaders of the two Parties, the Vietnam-Laos cooperation agreements; the Agreement on the cooperation plan between the two Governments, and the cooperation agreements between ministries, agencies, and localities, and have achieved many outstanding results in various fields, making an important contribution to maintaining political stability, socio-economic development, and ensuring national defense and security in each country. To continue consolidating and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, making it deeper, more practical, and more effective, while contributing to enhancing the position of the two Parties and two countries, and making a positive contribution to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. Accordingly:

Political relationsThe relationship between the two countries continues to be strengthened and deepened, fostering close ties, trust, and playing a core role in guiding the overall direction. Both sides consistently affirm that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos is an invaluable common asset of the two Parties and two nations, an objective necessity, a historical law, and the greatest source of strength for both countries, which needs to be preserved, promoted, and passed on to future generations.

Both sides have leveraged existing cooperation mechanisms, while reviewing and adjusting existing ones and implementing new ones. They have focused on exchanging views on cooperation in strategic issues, policies, and strategies related to the security and development of each country. Both sides have successfully organized diplomatic activities between high-level leaders of the two Parties and States, and signed numerous cooperation documents in many important fields between the two Parties and countries, including: the Protocol on Border Defense Cooperation between the Ministries of National Defence of Vietnam and Laos; the Memorandum of Understanding on the Cooperation Plan between the Government Offices of Vietnam and Laos; the Memorandum of Understanding on the Development and Connectivity of Border Trade Infrastructure between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos; and the 2024 Cooperation Plan between the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos. These documents have contributed to deepening the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the new phase.

During the visits and working sessions, the two sides engaged in substantive and frank exchanges, setting the direction for the stable, solid, and more effective development of relations between the two Parties and countries in the future. In addition, key leaders of the two countries regularly met and interacted when attending multilateral forums.

As we know, the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other key leaders have consistently paid attention to and directed efforts to strengthen political trust and enhance the effectiveness of cooperation in various fields. Over the past period, Party committees, ministries, agencies, mass organizations, and localities have actively implemented high-level agreements and treaties between the two governments; the contents agreed upon at the 46th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Vietnam-Laos Cooperation; cooperation programs between ministries, agencies, and localities; and continued to sign bilateral cooperation agreements.

Both sides will continue to strengthen theoretical exchanges, information sharing, and experience sharing on Party building, political system development, socio-economic development, ensuring macroeconomic stability, maintaining national defense and security, expanding foreign relations and international integration. Both sides will also promote propaganda and education on the history and traditions of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos. and the outstanding achievements of each country; coordinating the construction and restoration of historical sites related to Vietnam-Laos relations in each country.

On the occasion of the founding anniversaries of each Party, major holidays, and important events of both countries, high-ranking leaders and leaders of ministries and agencies have exchanged congratulatory messages and letters, expressing the close affection and strong relationship between the leaders of the two Parties and countries. Both sides have also jointly awarded medals and decorations to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements, contributing to consolidating and strengthening the special Vietnam-Laos relationship.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith at the high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, February 26, 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Defense and security cooperation This relationship continues to be maintained as one of the important pillars in Vietnam-Laos relations, contributing to maintaining political stability, ensuring national defense, security, and social order in each country. Both sides actively coordinate to effectively implement the Protocol on Cooperation for the period 2020-2024 and the 2024 Cooperation Plan on defense and security. They continue to effectively implement cooperation mechanisms such as the Vietnam-Laos Defense Policy Dialogue and the Vietnam-Laos Security Cooperation Conference. Notably, they have coordinated the implementation of a new cooperation mechanism: the first meeting between the three Ministers: the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security of Laos, and the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia.

Both sides will continue to ensure security and maintain a peaceful, orderly, and safe border in each country. They will continue to cooperate closely in preventing and combating "peaceful evolution," "subversion," transnational crime, especially drug-related crimes. They will also coordinate in searching for, excavating, and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos during the war.

Foreign relationsContinuing to maintain and strengthen cooperation with Cambodia in implementing the results of the meeting between the three leaders of the three parties; the agreement between the three Prime Ministers on the Development Triangle area; the joint statement between the three Speakers of Parliament of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam; and actively implementing the plan to connect the three CLV economies by 2030.

Coordinate the effective implementation of the consultation and information exchange mechanism between the two Central Committees for Foreign Affairs of the two Parties, the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and other foreign affairs agencies; strengthen timely information exchange, consultation, close coordination, and effective mutual support at international and regional forums, especially within the framework of ASEAN cooperation, ASEAN-led mechanisms, Mekong Subregion cooperation mechanisms, the United Nations, ASEM, CLV, CLMV, and ACMES, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam has been closely coordinating with and supporting Laos with material resources, equipment, and expertise to help Laos successfully assume the roles of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024. At the United Nations, the two countries maintain close coordination and support each other on many issues of common interest.

Furthermore, both sides continue to coordinate the effective implementation of the Protocol on the Border Line and Border Markers and the Agreement on the Management Regulations of the Vietnam-Laos Land Border and Border Crossings. They effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens and legal entities in each country, and the Agreement on Overseas Residents and Consular Affairs between the two countries, creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese people in Laos and Lao people in Vietnam to live, work, and study in each other's territories in accordance with the laws of each country and international practices. They have completed the issuance of civil registration for free migrants and those married outside of marriage in the border areas of the two countries, and this has been largely completed as agreed.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperationCooperation has been promoted and has achieved some notable results. Both sides have actively implemented the Agreement on the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Strategy for the period 2021-2030 and the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Agreement for the period 2021-2025; the Agreements between the two Governments and the Cooperation Agreement at the 46th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee; strengthened guidance, inspection, and supervision; promptly exchanged information to resolve difficulties and obstacles in order to find new directions to promote cooperation in economic fields; and continued to sign cooperation documents, creating a synchronized legal framework to promote cooperation. Both sides have coordinated the exchange of experiences on macroeconomic management and administration.

Regarding Vietnamese investment in Laos,To date, Vietnam has 256 investment projects in Laos with a total investment capital of over US$5.5 billion, and cumulative implemented capital reaching US$2.8 billion. In the first seven months of 2024, six new projects were licensed with an investment capital of US$36.7 million, a 39% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Many Vietnamese investment projects are operating effectively, making positive contributions to socio-economic development, creating jobs and increasing income for thousands of workers, and supplementing revenue for the Lao budget, especially in the fields of telecommunications, banking, rubber cultivation and processing, and food production and processing, and dairy. The two sides have completed and handed over four projects to the Lao side for operation and use.

In terms of trade,With continued mutual interest and promotion, numerous documents have been signed, contributing to the completion of the legal framework for trade, such as the new Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Border Trade Agreement, and the Protocol amending the Vietnam-Laos Goods Transit Agreement. The signed documents have been proactively and actively implemented, trade promotion measures have been strengthened, and conditions have been created for the sustainable development of bilateral trade. Vietnam-Laos trade turnover reached US$1.6 billion in 2023, and in the first eight months of 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached approximately US$1.3 billion.

Regarding transportation,Both sides will continue to focus on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Governments on the Strategy for Cooperation in the field of transport for the period 2016-2025, with a vision to 2030; and continue to promote the search for funding sources to implement key projects.

In the field of electrical energy,Both sides continue to actively implement the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Governments on the development of hydropower projects in Laos and electricity trading between the two countries, under which Vietnam will import approximately 3,000 MW of electricity from Laos by 2025 and 5,000 MW by 2030.

Aboutagriculture, forestry and rural development,Both sides agreed that cooperation in this field is very important, and accordingly, they have strengthened the exchange and transfer of technology and techniques, built models for agricultural and rural development to reduce poverty, and enhanced institutional and policy capacity in the management of agricultural, forestry, fisheries, and irrigation production. Both sides continue to effectively support rural development in key areas of Laos. They have completed the construction of agricultural technical service centers; coordinated the effective management and protection of forests and natural resources, and prevented the illegal trade and transportation of timber and forest products and wildlife across borders.

President To Lam receives General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, July 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Cooperation in culture, education and training, and human resource development. This will lead to greater attention, quality assurance, and effectiveness. Both sides Vietnam is actively implementing the Project to improve the quality and effectiveness of Vietnam-Laos cooperation for the period 2021-2030 and the Protocol on Vietnam-Laos training cooperation for the period 2022-2027. Currently, Vietnam provides Laos with over 1,000 scholarships each year, and to date, more than 14,000 Lao students are studying at over 170 educational institutions in Vietnam. Both sides also successfully organize cultural and artistic programs in each country.

Cooperative and mutual assistance relationships between ministries, departments, agencies of the National Assembly, the Fatherland Front, mass organizations, and localities.This has continued to be strengthened and become more substantive. The two sides have exchanged delegations and experiences on Party building, socio-economic development, ensuring security and defense, and mutual assistance between localities, especially those sharing a common border, has continued to expand.

People-to-people diplomacy is a constant focus for both countries; numerous cultural, artistic, and sports exchanges are organized, contributing to increased understanding between the people of the two countries and deepening their relationship.

In the coming years, Vietnam's consistent policy is to prioritize the development of in-depth, effective, and sustainable cooperation with Laos, considering this a strategic task and a top priority in its foreign policy, clearly defining that helping Laos is helping itself. Both sides will continue to strengthen close coordination on strategic guidelines and policies, fostering increasing trust and mutual support in building strong revolutionary capabilities in all aspects, primarily focusing on Party building and the development of cadres, which are the leading factors determining the leadership role of each Party and the solid political foundation for promoting effective comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. Strengthening unified leadership and direction, and close and synchronized coordination among all levels and sectors in implementing cooperation with Laos in all fields; affirming: (i) Political relations play a core and guiding role in the overall relationship with Laos; (ii) People-to-people friendship is a solid social foundation; (iii) Cooperation in defense, security, and foreign affairs plays a pivotal role; (iv) Cooperation in economics, trade, and investment is a long-term foundation; (v) Cooperation in culture, education, and training is a strategic issue.

Entering a new phase, with the world and regional situation projected to continue to evolve rapidly and complexly, to ensure the successful implementation of the reform process in each country, and in accordance with the resolutions of the National Congresses of each Party, both sides reaffirmed the importance and strategic significance of the special solidarity relationship in the new situation. Based on the consistent principles agreed upon by the two Parties, both sides agreed to further strengthen comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, based on promoting the spirit of independence, self-reliance, and self-strength, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, and appropriately combining the special nature of the Vietnam-Laos relationship with international practices.

It is clear that, with the significant achievements made in the past, building on the long-standing historical ties between the two nations, imbued with the thoughts of President Ho Chi Minh and the aspirations of President Kaysone Phomvihane, and with the efforts of the two Parties, two countries, and the people of both nations, we firmly believe that the visit of General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith will further elevate Vietnam-Laos relations to a new level, for the practical benefit of the people of each country, and for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

Comrade Nguyen Minh Tam
Deputy Head of the Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Department