The Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party have the same origin as the Indochinese Communist Party. The Vietnam-Laos relationship, founded by the great President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong, and nurtured by generations of leaders of the two Parties, States and peoples, has become a symbol of international solidarity, a priceless common asset of the two peoples, an objective necessity, a historical law and the greatest source of strength of the two countries, a foundation for the two countries to promote and pass on to future generations.

On the occasion of the State visit to Vietnam of General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith from September 10 to 13, 2024, Comrade Nguyen Minh Tam, Deputy Head of the Central External Relations Commission, wrote an article about the outstanding achievements in Vietnam - Laos relations in recent times.

The Communist Party of Vietnam Electronic Newspaper respectfully introduces the full text of the article:

President Ho Chi Minh talks 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 after the State visit of Comrade To Lam as President (July 2024). It is a vivid demonstration of the good feelings and deep relationship of great friendship, special solidarity, closeness, loyalty and purity between the two Parties, two States and people of Vietnam and Laos.

The visit took place in the context that the two Parties and two countries are vigorously implementing the Resolutions of each Party and actively preparing for Party Congresses at all levels, towards the National Congress of each Party. The Vietnam - Laos relationship is developing very well and has achieved many important achievements. The visit is one of the important milestones in the history of the relationship between the two countries, contributing to promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos to new heights, increasingly going into depth, effectiveness and practicality, bringing prosperity to the people of each country.

It can be seen that, under the leadership and direction of the two Parties, directly the Politburo and the Secretariat, the Government and the National Assembly, in the past time, the Party committees, ministries and branches 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-ranking leaders of the two Parties, the Vietnam - Laos Cooperation Agreements; the Agreement on the Cooperation Plan between the two Governments, the Cooperation Agreements between ministries, branches and localities and have achieved many outstanding results in various fields, contributing significantly to maintaining political stability, socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security in each country; continue to consolidate and enhance the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in depth, practically and effectively, while contributing to enhancing the position of the two Parties and two countries, making positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Accordingly:

Political relationscontinue to be strengthened and increasingly deepened, connected, trusted, playing a core role, guiding the overall relationship between the two countries. The two sides always affirm that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos is a priceless common asset of the two Parties and two peoples, an objective necessity, a historical law and the greatest source of strength of the two countries, which needs to be preserved, promoted and passed on to future generations.

The two sides have promoted existing cooperation mechanisms, reviewed and adjusted cooperation mechanisms and implemented new cooperation mechanisms; focused on exchanging cooperation on strategic issues, guidelines and policies related to security and development of each country. The two sides have well organized foreign affairs activities between high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States, signed many cooperation documents in many important fields between the two Parties and countries, including: Border Cooperation Protocol between the two Ministries of National Defense of Vietnam and Laos; Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Plan between the two Government Offices of Vietnam and Laos; Memorandum of Understanding on Development and Connection of Border Trade Infrastructure between the two Governments of Vietnam and Laos; Cooperation Plan for 2024 between the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education and Sports. These documents have contributed to deepening the comprehensive cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Laos in the new period.

During the visits and working sessions, the two sides had substantive and frank exchanges, orienting the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries to develop more stably, firmly and effectively in the coming time. In addition, key leaders of the two countries also regularly met and interacted on the occasion of attending multilateral forums.

As we know, the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and key leaders regularly paid attention to directing, strengthening political trust, and improving the effectiveness of cooperation in all fields. In recent times, Party committees, ministries, branches, organizations, and localities have actively implemented high-level agreements and agreements between the two governments; the contents agreed upon at the 46th Session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Cooperation; cooperation programs between ministries, branches, and localities; and continued to sign bilateral cooperation agreements.

The two sides continued to strengthen theoretical exchanges, information on the situation, and experience sharing in Party building, political system, socio-economic development, ensuring macroeconomic stability, maintaining national defense and security, expanding foreign relations and international integration. The two sides promoted propaganda and education on the history and tradition of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship. and outstanding achievements of each country; coordinate the implementation of construction and restoration of historical relics of Vietnam - Laos relations in each country.

On the occasion of the founding anniversary of each Party, major holidays and important events of the two countries, senior leaders and leaders of departments, ministries and branches sent telegrams and letters of congratulations to each other, expressing the close affection and close relationship between the leaders of the two Parties and the two countries. The two sides coordinated to award medals and titles to collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements, contributing to consolidating and strengthening the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

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

The two sides continue to ensure security and maintain peaceful borders and social order and safety in each country. Continue to cooperate closely in preventing and combating “peaceful evolution”, “violent overthrow”, transnational crimes, especially drug-related crimes. Coordinate in searching for, collecting and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos who died during the war.

Foreign relationscontinue to be maintained and strengthened, coordinate with Cambodia to implement the results of the Meeting between the three leaders of the three Parties; Agreement between the three Prime Ministers on the Development Triangle; Joint Statement between the three Chairmen of the National Assembly of Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam; actively implement the plan to connect the three CLV economies until 2030.

Effectively coordinate the implementation of the consultation and information exchange mechanism between the two Central External Relations Commissions of the two Parties, the two Foreign Ministries and other foreign affairs agencies; enhance 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 Sub-region cooperation mechanisms, the United Nations, ASEM, CLV, CLMV, ACMES, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam has been closely coordinating and supporting Laos in terms of materials, equipment and experience to help Laos successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024. At the United Nations, the two countries maintain close coordination and mutual support on many issues of common concern.

In addition, the two sides continued to coordinate to effectively implement the Protocol on Border Lines and Border Markers and the Agreement on Border Management Regulations and Land Border Gates between Vietnam and Laos. Effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens and legal entities in each country, the Agreement on Overseas Residents and Consulates between the two countries, create favorable conditions for Vietnamese people in Laos and Lao people in Vietnam to live, work and study in each other's territory in accordance with the laws of each country and international practices. Complete the issuance of household registration for free migrants and illegitimate marriages in the border areas of the two countries and have basically completed the agreement.

Economic, trade and investment cooperationpromoted and achieved some remarkable results. The two sides 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 the work of guidance, inspection, supervision, timely exchange and removal of difficulties and obstacles to find new directions to promote cooperation in economic fields; continued to sign cooperation documents, creating a synchronous legal corridor to promote cooperation. The two sides coordinated to exchange experiences in macroeconomic management and operation.

On Vietnam's investment in Laos,To date, Vietnam has 256 investment projects in Laos with a total investment capital of more than 5.5 billion USD, with accumulated realized capital reaching 2.8 billion USD. In the first 7 months of 2024, 06 new projects were licensed with an investment capital of 36.7 million USD, an increase of 39% over the same period in 2023. Many Vietnamese investment projects are operating effectively, contributing positively to socio-economic development, creating jobs and increasing income for thousands of workers, supplementing revenue for the Lao budget, especially in the fields of telecommunications, banking, rubber planting and processing, food production and processing, and milk. The two sides have completed and handed over 04 projects to the Lao side for exploitation and use.

In terms of trade,Continued to be promoted by both sides, many documents have been signed, contributing to perfecting the legal framework on trade such as the new bilateral trade agreement, the border trade agreement and the Protocol amending the Vietnam - Laos goods transit agreement; proactively and actively implementing signed documents, strengthening trade promotion measures, creating conditions for sustainable development of bilateral trade. Vietnam - Laos trade turnover in 2023 reached 1.6 billion USD, in the first 8 months of 2024, the trade turnover between the two countries reached about 1.3 billion USD.

About traffic and transportation,The two sides continue to focus on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Governments on the Transport Cooperation Strategy for the 2016-2025 period, with a vision to 2030; continue to promote the search for capital sources to implement key projects.

In the field of electrical energy,The two sides continue to actively implement the Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments on the development of hydropower projects in Laos and trade between the two countries, according to which Vietnam will import about 3,000 MW of electricity from Laos by 2025 and 5,000 MW by 2030.

Aboutagriculture, forestry and rural development,The two sides agreed to consider cooperation in this field very important, thereby enhancing the exchange of technology and technical transfer and building models for agricultural and rural development to reduce poverty, improving institutional capacity and policies in the management of agricultural, forestry, fishery and irrigation production. The two sides continued to effectively support rural development in key areas of Laos. Completed the construction of agricultural technical service centers; coordinated well in the management and protection of forests and natural resources, and prevented illegal trade and transportation of timber and forest products and wildlife across the border.

President To Lam received Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, July 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Cooperation on culture, education - training and human resource development are cared for, quality assurance, more effective. Both sides actively implement the Project to improve the quality and effectiveness of Vietnam - Laos cooperation in the period of 2021-2030 and the Protocol on Vietnam - Laos training cooperation in the period of 2022-2027. Currently, Vietnam provides Laos with more than 1,000 scholarships each year and to date there are more than 14,000 Lao students studying at more than 170 educational institutions in Vietnam. The two sides have well organized cultural and artistic programs in each country.

Cooperation and mutual assistance between departments, ministries, branches, agencies of the National Assembly, the Front, organizations and localitiescontinue to be promoted and become more substantive. The two sides have exchanged delegations and experiences in Party building, socio-economic development, ensuring security and defense, and mutual assistance between localities, especially localities sharing common borders, which continue to be expanded.

People-to-people diplomacy activities are regularly paid attention to by the two countries; many cultural, artistic, physical education and sports exchange activities are organized, contributing to enhancing understanding between the people of the two countries, contributing to deepening the relationship.

In the coming years, Vietnam's consistent policy is to give top priority to developing cooperative relations with Laos in depth, effectively and sustainably, considering this a strategic task, a top concern in foreign policy, clearly identifying that helping the Friend is helping ourselves. The two sides continue to strengthen close coordination in terms of guidelines and strategic policies, creating increasingly high trust and helping each other to strengthen the building of strong revolutionary strength in all aspects, first of all, building the Party and cadres as the leading factor determining the leadership role of each Party, and a solid political foundation to effectively promote the comprehensive cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Laos. Strengthening unified leadership, direction and close, synchronous coordination between all levels and sectors in implementing cooperative relations 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, it is forecasted that the world and regional situation will continue to evolve rapidly and complicatedly. To ensure the successful implementation of the renovation process in each country and the Resolution of the National Congress of each Party, the two sides continue to affirm the importance and strategic significance of the special solidarity relationship in the new situation. On the basis of consistency in the principles agreed upon by the two Parties, the two sides agree to further promote the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos on the basis of promoting the spirit of independence, self-reliance and self-reliance, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation, appropriately combining the special nature of the Vietnam-Laos relationship with international practices.

It can be seen that, with the important results achieved in recent times, promoting the long-standing historical tradition of the two nations, imbued with the thoughts of President Ho Chi Minh and the wishes of President Kaysone Phomvihane, together with the efforts of the two Parties, two countries and peoples of the two countries, we firmly believe that the visit of General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith will continue to bring the Vietnam - Laos relationship to new heights, for the practical interests of the people of each country, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world"./.

Comrade Nguyen Minh Tam
Deputy Head of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission