In particular, the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Laos have been actively and effectively cooperating, contributing to enhancing the position of each country, making positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.
In recent years, the close and trustworthy political relationship has continued to be strengthened, playing a core role and guiding the overall direction of Vietnam-Laos relations. Defence-security cooperation has continued to be maintained as one of the important pillars.
Economic, cultural, education-training, and scientific-technological cooperation has seen positive changes. Cooperation between ministries, departments, branches, organisations and localities of the two countries is growing increasingly practical.
Along with the positive development of the bilateral relationship, cooperation between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the National Assembly of Laos continues to be strengthened and closely maintained. The cooperation agreement between the two parliaments has been implemented in an effective manner.
Last September, the two parliaments successfully organised a seminar in Da Nang on "The role of the legislative body in building and implementing socio-economic development policies". Delegates from the two countries exchanged information and lessons learned in building and implementing mechanisms and policies for socio-economic development.
Both sides are focused on solutions to improve the effectiveness of the two parliaments in deciding and supervising the implementation of important national issues.
In particular, the two sides discussed new and timely mechanisms and policies suitable to the socio-economic conditions of each country and also strengthened cooperation and closer coordination in many areas, such as trade and investment.
At regional and international forums, Vietnam and Laos have continued to strengthen their solidarity, support each other, and coordinate closely.
In 2024, Laos will hold the positions of Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). With the support and assistance of Vietnam and member countries, Laos successfully assumed the responsibility of ASEAN Chair. Vietnam also actively shared experiences and supported Laos within the AIPA framework.
Leaders of the association's member countries recently attended a dialogue session with AIPA representatives within the framework of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits. This is an important activity to strengthen the connection and interaction between the legislative and executive channels in ASEAN.
In the preparatory session held immediately before, AIPA member parliaments discussed and agreed on the contents of the draft message of the AIPA president to the dialogue session.
Attending the preparatory session, the Vietnamese National Assembly delegation said that member countries need to promote the renewal of traditional growth drivers, while taking advantage of and promoting new growth drivers through the cooperation framework on digital economy, power grid connection, circular economy, and energy conversion.
The legislative bodies of the two countries are actively coordinating to research, compile and publish the book titled “50 Years of Relations between the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam and the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic – Comprehensive Cooperation for Development”.
In order to fully and truly reflect the relationship between the two parliaments over the past half century (1975-2025), the book summarises the practical development process, achievements, and contributions of the two legislative bodies to the Vietnam-Laos relationship. On that basis, it draws lessons to improve the effectiveness of cooperation in the new period.
The book will contribute to widely promoting the relationship between the two parliaments, thus helping the people of the two countries to gain a deeper understanding of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos.
During the meetings during bilateral visits, as well as on the occasion of recent multilateral conferences, the high-ranking leaders and all levels of Vietnam and Laos expressed their belief that, with the close and effective cooperation between the two parliaments, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos will continue to develop well and become more and more substantive, bringing practical benefits to the people of each country while contributing to the connectivity and self-reliance of ASEAN.
