The decision by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith to choose Viet Nam as the first country for a state visit immediately after the successful national congresses of both the LPRP and the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) underscores the exceptionally high level of political trust between the two parties and states, as well as between their high-ranking leaders, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam has said.
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency in Vientiane ahead of the two-day visit beginning on January 26, Tam noted that the move also demonstrates that the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos continue to be identified as a top strategic priority in the foreign policies of both countries.
According to the ambassador, Viet Nam-Laos relations represent a unique model of special solidarity rarely seen in international relations, which General Secretary Sisoulith has characterised as a bond of comradeship, solidarity, brotherhood and friendship. Tam added that it has become a fine tradition for the high-ranking leaders of both countries to select the other as their first overseas destination after assuming office, a practice unmatched elsewhere.
The Vietnamese diplomat said that the recent national congresses of both parties set out major strategic orientations and policy decisions for their respective new development stages. Against this backdrop, the visit reflects the close companionship, strategic alignment and strong political determination of both sides’ leadership to successfully implement set targets; closely coordinate on strategic issues related to national security and development; and step up information exchange and experience-sharing in Party and political system building, socio-economic development, the building of independent and self-reliant economies, safeguarding national defence and security, and expanding international integration.
He told VNA that during the visit, senior leaders of the two parties and states are expected to hold in-depth discussions to further specify and operationalise the concept of “strategic cohesion” across key pillars of bilateral relations.
First, the two sides will continue to deepen political relations and enhance their effectiveness as the strategic core guiding overall bilateral cooperation. This includes strengthening coordination on strategic issues related to security and development, maintaining regular and effective high-level exchanges, expanding theoretical and practical exchanges, and jointly implementing breakthrough initiatives in socio-economic development, macroeconomic stability, international integration and emerging issues identified by each party congress.
Second, security and defence remains a key pillar of cooperation, contributing to the maintenance of political stability, public order and social safety in both countries. The two sides will continue to strengthen coordination in implementing annual cooperation protocols and plans between their defence and public security ministries, jointly manage and protect a border of peace, stability and friendship, and cooperate in combating transnational crime and addressing non-traditional security challenges.
Third, both sides will focus on achieving a strong and strategic breakthrough in economic, trade, investment and infrastructure collaboration, elevating this area into a pillar of strategic cohesion commensurate with the special Viet Nam–Laos relationship. Priorities include enhancing connectivity between the two economies in terms of institutions, transport infrastructure, energy and logistics, telecommunications and tourism; implementing major, high-impact investment projects; supporting Laos in promoting its role as a regional connectivity hub; and expanding Viet Nam’s development space and economic linkages.
Fourth, culture, education and human development continues to be identified as the long-term and sustainable foundation of the special bilateral relationship. The visit provides an opportunity for the two sides to agree on measures to improve the quality of education and training cooperation, develop human resources, and strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, particularly among younger generations.
Fifth, the two sides will review the implementation of high-level agreements and signed bilateral cooperation frameworks, while identifying and advancing flagship and symbolic projects in bilateral relations.
Ambassador Tam affirmed that the visit will further clarify, concretise and synchronously implement the concept of “strategic cohesion” across all areas of cooperation, contributing to the continued deepening, effectiveness and sustainability of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.
