Taking place at a historic moment as Laos celebrates the 50th anniversary of its National Day - marking half a century of national construction and development - the visit by General Secretary To Lam reflects the profound respect, affection, and close bonds between the top leaders of the two Parties and States, as well as Viet Nam’s strong support for the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and its leader, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith. The visit conveys a clear message that Viet Nam consistently gives the highest priority to its great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.
The Viet Nam–Laos relationship was painstakingly built by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and nurtured by generations of leaders and citizens of both countries, through their sweat, dedication, intellect, and even blood. Forged through years of shoulder-to-shoulder struggle for independence and freedom, and strengthened during the subsequent period of national construction, the pure and loyal solidarity between Laos and Viet Nam has become an unshakeable foundation for the continued robust development of bilateral ties.
In recent years, political relations and strategic trust between the two countries have been further reinforced. Viet Nam and Laos have maintained frequent high-level and lower-level delegation exchanges through various forms and successfully organised important diplomatic activities between the top leaders of the two Parties and States. The high-level meeting mechanism between the two Parties remains the most important cooperative framework, playing a central and guiding role in bilateral relations. From the fourth quarter of 2024 until now, General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith have conducted five meetings, discussing comprehensive, substantive, and strategic issues to deepen the close ties between the two Parties and countries.
Built on profound shared sentiments and the pure and loyal solidarity between the two Parties, States, and peoples, Viet Nam and Laos have achieved many positive cooperation outcomes. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation continues to show encouraging progress. Bilateral trade turnover in the first 10 months of 2025 is estimated at 2.6 billion USD, an increase of 50.41% compared to the same period in 2024. Both sides aim to raise two-way trade to 5 billion USD in the coming years. Many Vietnamese investment projects in Laos have been operating effectively, contributing significantly to Laos’ socioeconomic development, creating jobs, increasing incomes for thousands of workers, and generating budget revenues - particularly in telecommunications, banking, energy, mining, rubber, and food processing.
Alongside economic cooperation, defence and security cooperation continues to develop strongly, deepening in substance and effectiveness, serving as a key pillar of Viet Nam–Laos relations. The two countries work closely together to maintain political stability, ensure national defense and security, and uphold social order and safety. Cooperation in culture, education, and science–technology has also seen positive developments.
As neighbouring countries linked by mountains and rivers, Viet Nam and Laos have shared a long historical journey, standing side by side from the struggle for national liberation to the process of national construction and development. This enduring journey, carried forward by generations of leaders and citizens, stands as a rare and exemplary model of deep, loyal, and effective solidarity between two nations united in their pursuit of independence, freedom, and social progress.
In this context, the State visit by General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the ceremony marking the 50th National Day of Laos and co-chair a high-level meeting between the CPV and the LPRP contributes to strengthening political trust, enhancing comprehensive cooperation, and opening new directions for cooperation in the new era. This will be a solid foundation for both nations to continue nurturing their great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, ensuring that these cherished ties remain strong, sustainable, and everlasting through time.
