General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam To Lam led a high-level Vietnamese delegation on a State visit to Laos on February 5 at the invitation of General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.
This is the first overseas visit by a key Vietnamese leader in 2026 and also the first foreign visit by the General Secretary following the 14th National Party Congress. General Secretary To Lam’s State visit to Laos immediately after the 14th Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam demonstrates the Party and State’s strong commitment and highest priority in relations with Laos. The visit is expected to further strengthen political trust and close ties between the two countries’ leaders, while promoting increasingly substantive and in-depth bilateral cooperation.
Progress along Laos’ development path
In recent years, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party has continued to affirm its role as the sole force providing comprehensive leadership. The political system has operated in accordance with established frameworks and principles, while major policy decisions relating to political stability, economic management, foreign affairs, and national defence and security have produced positive outcomes. The 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, held in January 2026, was a particularly significant political event, marking a new stage in the Party’s comprehensive renewal process.
Key decisions adopted at the 12th Party Congress focused on three main strategic pillars: the election of the 12th-term Party Central Committee; the identification of a long-term development vision to 2055, with the goal of transforming Laos into an upper-middle-income country within a clearly defined timeframe linked to major national political milestones; and the shaping of the five-year development strategy for 2026–2030, through the adoption of important documents including the Political Report, the 10th Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan, and the draft amendments to the Party Charter for the 12th term.
An overview of the closing ceremony of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in Vientiane, January 8, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
An overview of the closing ceremony of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in Vientiane, January 8, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
From its predecessor — the Indochinese Communist Party, founded in 1930 — with its correct, creative, courageous, and wise policies; upholding the tradition of heroic and unwavering revolutionary struggle of the Lao people; with the support and assistance of international friends, including the great, sincere, and selfless support and assistance of the Party, state, and people of Viet Nam, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party has steered the Lao revolutionary ship steadily through storms, achieving great, comprehensive, and solid victories.
In recent times, the Lao economy has maintained a relatively high growth rate thanks to the strong recovery of foreign investment and tourism; budget revenue has met the targets set by the National Assembly, with many localities exceeding their budget revenue targets; inflation has been controlled; and the number of tourists visiting Laos has increased to a record high. The 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030) was developed with the goal of gradually lifting Laos out of its underdeveloped status and moving towards green and sustainable growth.
Laos has firmly protected and maintained its sovereignty and territorial integrity, ensuring political stability, social order, and security; the leadership and governing role of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party continues to enjoy the trust and support of the people.
A ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Day of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (December 2, 1975 - December 2, 2025). (Photo: VNA)
A ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Day of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (December 2, 1975 - December 2, 2025). (Photo: VNA)
Regarding foreign policy, Laos continues to steadfastly pursue a policy of peace, independence, friendship, and cooperation, while also implementing diverse, multilateral, and multi-level cooperation relations. In recent times, Laos has undertaken a series of important foreign affairs and diplomatic activities aimed at strengthening cooperative relations with countries and international organisations, while focusing on consolidating and enhancing relations with neighbouring countries and ASEAN countries and promoting relations with major countries and important partners.
At present, Laos maintains diplomatic relations with around 150 countries and territories. It is an official member of ASEAN and has served as ASEAN Chair three times (2004, 2016, and 2024), while successfully assuming the Chairmanship of AIPA-45 in 2024. Laos attaches great importance to ASEAN and strives to mobilise support from the bloc and its development partners. The country has also officially become a Dialogue Partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Viet Nam–Laos friendship art programme celebrating the 50th anniversary of Laos’ National Day. (Photo: VNA)
Viet Nam–Laos friendship art programme celebrating the 50th anniversary of Laos’ National Day. (Photo: VNA)
From comprehensive cooperation to strategic bonding between Viet Nam and Laos
A special bond of solidarity, rare in international relations, the close-knit and sincere affection between the peoples of Viet Nam and Laos has been forged through years of standing shoulder to shoulder in the struggle against a common enemy and working together in national construction and development. Senior leaders of the two countries have frequently chosen the other as their first overseas destination immediately after assuming top leadership posts. This practice underscores the enduring strength, deep attachment, and determination to continue nurturing bilateral relations.
Most recently, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith, accompanied by his spouse, paid a State visit to Viet Nam. The visit marked the first overseas trip by a foreign senior leader in 2026 and took place shortly after the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. It stands as clear evidence of the high priority attached by the Lao Party and State and the Vietnamese Party and State to strengthening political trust and advancing Viet Nam–Laos strategic coordination in the new period.
General Secretary To Lam presides over the official welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on his State visit to Viet Nam. (Photo: VNA)
General Secretary To Lam presides over the official welcoming ceremony for General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on his State visit to Viet Nam. (Photo: VNA)
Viet Nam–Laos relations are witnessing breakthrough advances. Recently, Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse paid a State visit to Laos, attended the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Laos’ National Day, and co-chaired the high-level meeting between the two Parties. During the visit, the two sides agreed to further deepen the substance of Viet Nam–Laos relations to new heights, elevating them to a relationship of “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic cohesion,” reflecting a shared vision and long-term orientation for accompanying one another towards sustainable development, self-reliance, and prosperity of the two nations. Within a policy speech at the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that in the current context, “cooperation” alone is not sufficient; the two countries must elevate cooperation to “cohesion,” as cohesion is strategic in nature and features an overall design, clear division of roles, and mutual complementarity.
During the talks between Party General Secretary To Lam and Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in Ha Noi on January 26, the two leaders emphasised that, as the two Parties have successfully held their new-term Congresses, ushering in a new development phase with long-term strategic orientations, continuing to strengthen strategic cohesion and further deepen and substantiate comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos, and Laos and Viet Nam, is of urgent and particularly important significance.
Party General Secretary To Lam holds talks with General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. (Photo: VNA)
Party General Secretary To Lam holds talks with General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. (Photo: VNA)
The two leaders affirmed that this is not only an objective requirement arising from the fundamental and long-term interests of each country, but also a shared political responsibility of the two Parties in inheriting, safeguarding, and promoting the invaluable common asset painstakingly nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries. They also agreed that in the new development stage, the two sides need to concretise and implement in a coordinated and effective manner high-level agreements and the Viet Nam–Laos Joint Statement at the central position, ensuring close linkage between strategic vision and concrete action.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam
Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam
In the context of both countries having successfully convened their respective National Party Congresses, the emphasis on and implementation of the concept of “strategic alignment” is of particular significance. This process serves to concretise the Congress resolutions through close, coordinated and effective cooperation between the two Parties and the two States.
Lao Ambassador to Viet Nam Khamphao Ernthavanh
Lao Ambassador to Viet Nam Khamphao Ernthavanh
The success of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam is not only a source of pride for the Vietnamese people, but also for the Party, State and people of Laos. This is because Laos and Viet Nam are neighbouring countries bound by a relationship of great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic alignment. I firmly believe that, on this solid foundation, Laos–Viet Nam relations will continue to be consolidated and developed in greater depth, becoming increasingly practical and effective in the future.
General Secretary To Lam and his spouse pose for a photo with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse. (Photo: VNA)
General Secretary To Lam and his spouse pose for a photo with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse. (Photo: VNA)
The State visit to Laos on February 5, 2026 by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam To Lam marks a historic milestone, profoundly reflecting the special importance that the Party and State of Viet Nam attach to the special solidarity between Viet Nam and Laos. The visit reaffirms the strong determination of the leaders and peoples of both countries to preserve, uphold and carry forward the relationship of great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic alignment between Viet Nam and Laos.
Published: February 2026
Production Managers: Chu Hong Thang – Pham Truong Son
Content: Minh Hang – Nguyen Ha
Translation: NDO
Sources: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, VNA