Advancing Viet Nam–Laos–Cambodia relations into new phase of development

Tran Cam Tu, Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation have successfully concluded their official visits to Laos on April 9 and Cambodia on April 10. The visits were made at the invitations of Vilay Lakhamphong, Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee; and Samdech Say Chhum, Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and Chairman of the Standing Board of the CPP Central Committee.

The visits conveyed a clear message about Viet Nam’s consistent foreign policy of attaching great importance and top priority to relations with Laos and Cambodia. They helped consolidate the foundation of political trust among the three Parties and States, while further promoting Viet Nam–Laos and Viet Nam–Cambodia relations into a new phase marked by greater effectiveness, substance, and reliability.

During the official visit to Laos, Permanent member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat held meetings with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary and President of Laos; met with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone; and conducted talks with the Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee. All meetings took place in a sincere, open and constructive atmosphere imbued with comradeship and brotherhood. Both sides held extensive and comprehensive discussions across all areas of bilateral cooperation, reaching high consensus on effectively implementing high-level agreements and deepening cooperation in a more substantive manner.

Permanent member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat Tran Cam Tu held talks with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary and President of Laos. The Lao leader expressed his pleasure at meeting Permanent member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat Tran Cam Tu again and highly appreciated the significance of the visit, which took place in the context that both Parties and countries had successfully organised their respective Party Congresses, as well as elections of the deputies to the National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, and amid the joyful atmosphere of Laos’ traditional New Year celebration.

Thongloun Sisoulith warmly congratulated Party General Secretary on being elected by the 16th National Assembly as President of Viet Nam; Le Minh Hung on his election as Prime Minister; and Tran Thanh Man as Chairman of the National Assembly. He noted that the consolidation of top Party and State positions would usher in a new stage of national development, enabling Viet Nam to achieve its set goals and further enhance its role and standing in the international arena. He also expressed deep gratitude for Viet Nam’s wholehearted and effective support to Laos throughout its development journey.

For his part, Tran Cam Tu extended warm congratulations on Laos’ important recent achievements, expressing strong confidence that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party headed by top leader Thongloun Sisoulith, Laos would continue to achieve even greater successes in its Doi Moi ( renewal) cause.

The two sides exchanged information on the situation of each Party and country following the National Assembly elections, particularly major orientations in Party building, socio-economic development, national defense-security, and international integration. The Permanent member of the Party Central Committee also shared Viet Nam’s experience in implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, especially in enhancing Party leadership capacity and combativeness, strengthening discipline, intensifying anti-corruption efforts, and promoting rapid, sustainable economic growth in tandem with social progress and equity.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the continued positive developments in the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connectivity between Viet Nam and Laos. Political ties between the two countries have grown increasingly close and trustworthy, reflected in frequent high-level exchanges. Vietnamese senior leaders highly valued the state visit to Viet Nam by Lao top leader Thongloun Sisoulith in January 2026, as well as the state visit to Laos by General Secretary in February 2026. The outcomes and cooperation orientations from these visits have created strong momentum for the two Parties and countries to deepen their relationship in a more substantive and effective manner in the new period. Viet Nam has also issued a plan to implement high-level Viet Nam–Laos agreements in 2026, further reinforcing bilateral cooperation across key areas.

Regarding future cooperation, both sides agreed to continue promoting high-level and all-level exchanges; effectively implement existing agreements; strengthen cooperation in defence and security, including combating transnational crimes such as drug trafficking and cybercrime; and enhance economic connectivity, particularly infrastructure development and key transport projects linking the two countries. They also agreed to further boost trade and investment, encourage Vietnamese enterprises to expand investment in Laos in areas of mutual interest, improve the quality of cooperation in education and training, develop human resources, and strengthen ties between localities.

On this occasion, the two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, reaffirming their commitment to close coordination in bilateral relations and at regional and international forums amid a rapidly changing and unpredictable global landscape.

Both sides expressed confidence that, with strong political determination from both Parties and States and the support of their peoples, Viet Nam–Laos relations will continue to develop robustly, becoming deeper, more substantive, and more effective in the new phase, thereby contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region.

During the visit, Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu also met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. On the occasion of Laos’ Bunpimay traditional New Year festival, he extended his best wishes and conveyed greetings and New Year wishes from Party General Secretary and President To Lam, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, and other senior Vietnamese leaders to the Lao Prime Minister and other leaders.

On this occasion, Permanent Member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu and Permanent Member of the the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Vilay Lakhamphong witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents, aimed at further strengthening cooperation between relevant agencies of the two countries, thereby consolidating and enhancing the relationship of great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos.

Permanent member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos as well as members of the Vietnamese community living, working and studying in the country. He affirmed that the Party and State consistently pay close attention to overseas Vietnamese communities—an inseparable part of the nation—while expressing his hope that they will continue striving to contribute meaningfully to Laos’ development, preserve and promote national traditions, strengthen solidarity and mutual support, and pay due attention to educating younger generations to maintain the Vietnamese language and remain connected to their homeland. He also called for building an increasingly strong and reputable community in the host society, thereby contributing to the cultivation of Viet Nam–Laos relations.

Creating fresh momentum to elevate Viet Nam–Cambodia comprehensive partnership

The official visit to Cambodia by Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu and a high-level Vietnamese delegation took place at a time of profound political and cultural significance. Viet Nam had successfully organised the 14th National Party Congress, held elections for the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels, completed the consolidation of its leadership apparatus and begun implementing new strategic directions, while Cambodia was celebrating its traditional Chol Chnam Thmay New Year.

In Phnom Penh, Tran Cam Tu held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. At the meeting, he congratulated Cambodia on its recent development achievements and expressed confidence that, under the determined leadership of the Government headed by Prime Minister Hun Manet, Cambodia would continue to post impressive economic growth, contributing to further comprehensive national achievements and the successful fulfilment of its set goals. He also thanked successive generations of Cambodian leaders and people for their valuable support and assistance to Viet Nam in its past struggle for national independence and in its current cause of national construction and defence.

Prime Minister Hun Manet warmly welcomed Tran Cam Tu and the high-level Vietnamese delegation on their official visit, and congratulated Viet Nam on completing the consolidation of its senior leadership following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, as well as the elections to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term. He expressed confidence that, under the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, headed by General Secretary and State President To Lam, Viet Nam would achieve double-digit growth, meet its target of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and ultimately become a high-income developed country by 2045.

Both sides agreed that the State visit by General Secretary and State President To Lam to Cambodia in February 2026, during which he co-chaired meetings between the Politburo of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), as well as the meeting of the leaders of the three Parties of Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos, had helped strengthen political trust, consolidate strategic cooperation, and open up important directions for collaboration in the new phase. These efforts also contributed to reinforcing solidarity and close ties among Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos for the benefit of their peoples and for peace, stability and development in the region.

To further consolidate and deepen the good-neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation between the two Parties and countries, both sides agreed to continue strengthening political trust and effectively implement the outcomes of the State visit by General Secretary and State President To Lam. The two leaders also agreed to enhance high-level and all-level exchanges, promote cooperation among ministries, sectors and localities, and expand people-to-people exchanges. Both sides committed to strengthening connectivity in trade, investment, infrastructure, finance, banking and supply chains, creating favourable conditions for businesses of both countries to expand cooperation, and striving to soon raise bilateral trade turnover to 20 billion USD, commensurate with the potential and level of economic integration of the two economies. They also agreed to enhance coordination in combating crime, including transnational crime, and to make efforts to complete border demarcation and marker planting, building a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development.

The two sides further agreed to step up public communication and education on the traditional friendship, solidarity and mutual support between the two countries, and to promote people-to-people exchanges, particularly among young people, thereby strengthening the social foundation, nurturing friendship and ensuring sustained public support for the development of Viet Nam–Cambodia relations.

During his meeting with Acting Head of State, President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), and President of the Cambodian Senate Cambodia Hun Sen, Tran Cam Tu expressed confidence that, under the reign of King Norodom Sihamoni, the leadership of the CPP headed by Hun Sen, and the Government led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, Cambodia would continue to achieve even greater and more comprehensive accomplishments in 2026, successfully fulfilling its goals, further developing the country, improving people’s livelihoods, and enhancing its regional and global standing.

Hun Sen extended his congratulations to General Secretary and State President To Lam and other key Vietnamese leaders who had recently been elected by the 16th National Assembly at its first session. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of To Lam, the Vietnamese people would successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, achieve the goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and realise the vision of becoming a high-income developed country by 2045.

Hun Sen extended his congratulations to General Secretary and State President To Lam and other key Vietnamese leaders who had recently been elected by the 16th National Assembly at its first session. He expressed confidence that under the leadership of To Lam, the Vietnamese people would successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, achieve the goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and realise the vision of becoming a high-income developed country by 2045.

Both sides expressed their delight at the robust and comprehensive development of relations between the two Parties and the two countries across all fields, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations. They agreed to strengthen cooperation in defence and security, uphold the principle of not allowing any third party to use one country’s territory to act against the other, and expedite the completion of border demarcation and marker planting, thereby contributing to the building of a peaceful, stable, cooperative and developing border between the two countries.

The two leaders emphasised the need to intensify public communication and education among all strata of the two peoples, particularly the younger generation, regarding the tradition of solidarity and close ties between the two Parties, the two States and their peoples. Both sides agreed to enhance coordination and resolutely prevent hostile forces from exploiting the situation to distort, incite or undermine the friendly relations between Viet Nam and Cambodia.

Both sides agreed to closely coordinate in organising solemn activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Cambodia in 2027.

At the meeting between Permanent member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu and President of the National Assembly of Cambodia Samdech Khuon Sudary, the two leaders expressed satisfaction that Viet Nam–Cambodia relations in recent years have maintained strong, substantive and effective development across all areas. They expressed confidence that in the time ahead, ties between the two Parties and the two countries would continue to be consolidated and strengthened for the benefit of both peoples, contributing to regional and global peace and stability. They also affirmed continued close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly regional and international parliamentary forums.

Regarding directions for bilateral cooperation, Permanent member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu proposed that both sides continue to maintain regular high-level exchanges and bilateral cooperation mechanisms across all channels, including annual meetings between the Politburo of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the Standing Board of the Central Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party, as well as meetings between the Chairmen of the National Assemblies of the two countries and of Cambodia–Laos–Viet Nam, thereby further strengthening political trust and close ties.

Commending cooperation between the National Assembly of Viet Nam and the National Assembly of Cambodia in implementing their cooperation agreement and within the Cambodia–Laos–Viet Nam framework, he expressed the hope that the Cambodian National Assembly would continue close coordination. The two legislatures should further promote their roles, supervise and encourage ministries, sectors, localities and businesses to actively and effectively implement signed treaties and agreements, and continue to coordinate closely and support each other at multilateral forums, especially parliamentary ones at regional and international levels.

Permanent member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu and Vice President of the CPP and Chairman of Standing Board of the CPP Central Committee Samdech Say Chhum also held talks. Samdech Say Chhum extended his warmest welcome and highly appreciated the significance of the first official visit to Cambodia by Permanent Member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu and the high-level Vietnamese delegation, affirming that the visit was of historic importance, contributing to further enhancing the excellent relations between the two Parties and the peoples of both countries, especially as it took place while Cambodia and its people were joyfully preparing for their traditional New Year festival.

The two leaders emphasised that Viet Nam and Cambodia are neighbouring countries that have endured hardships together, sharing both difficulties and achievements, and supporting each other in the struggle for independence and national liberation. This close relationship has been nurtured by previous generations of leaders and continues to be upheld by current leaders and carried forward into the future. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the strong development of cooperation between the two Parties and the two countries in recent years, which has become increasingly in-depth, effective and substantive across all areas, including politics, security–defence, economy–trade, education–training, people-to-people exchanges and local cooperation.

Both sides stressed the need to further promote cooperation in economy, trade and investment, create favourable conditions for businesses and citizens to engage in economic cooperation, and enhance strategic infrastructure connectivity, particularly in transport, logistics, border gates and border trade, thereby facilitating the flow of goods, services and investment between the two economies. They also agreed to improve coordination in agriculture, processing industries, energy, telecommunications, digital transformation, human resource training and other promising new areas of cooperation.

Both sides agreed to coordinate closely to soon resolve the remaining sections of the border yet to be fully demarcated and marked in line with the spirit of the high-level meeting between the two Parties in February, in order to jointly build a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development. They affirmed the need to further strengthen coordination in communication and education on the traditional relations between the two Parties and the two countries, and to proactively counter false narratives, historical distortions and incitement of extreme nationalism aimed at undermining Viet Nam–Cambodia solidarity.

A highlight of the official visit to Cambodia by Permanent member of the Secretariat Tran Cam Tu was his witnessing, together with CPP Vice President and Chairman of Standing Board of the CPP Central Committee Say Chhum, of the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between localities of the two countries.

The official visits to Laos and Cambodia by Tran Cam Tu, Politburo member and Permanent member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, not only carried diplomatic significance but also marked an important milestone, helping shape new directions for the development of Viet Nam–Laos and Viet Nam–Cambodia relations in the coming period.

Published: April 2026
Production Manager: Chu Hong Thang – Pham Truong Son
Content: Minh Hang – Nguyen Ha
Design: Hoa An
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam News Agency