Vientiane meeting advances rollout of Laos–Viet Nam cooperation plans

Chaired by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Laos–Viet Nam Cooperation Committee Saleumxay Kommasith, the event marked an important step in operationalising the 2026–2030 Cooperation Agreement and the 2026 Cooperation Plan, laying the groundwork for deeper and more effective collaboration in the new development phase of bilateral ties.

Phonevanh Outhavong, Lao Deputy Minister of Finance and Permanent Vice Chairwoman of the committee, highlighted concrete outcomes reflecting the strong political commitment shared by the two countries. Despite global economic uncertainty, she noted that Viet Nam continues to prioritise support for Laos, pledging non-refundable aid worth 1.12 trillion VND (approximately 43 million USD) for 2026. The funding will focus on human resource development and key socio-economic projects identified as national priorities by Laos.

On economic cooperation, Outhavong said two-way trade reached an estimated 3 billion USD in 2025, maintaining steady growth. Viet Nam remains among Laos’ leading foreign investors, with 276 projects valued at a combined 6.21 billion USD. She stressed the strategic importance of transport and energy connectivity projects in strengthening economic integration.

She also urged ministries and sectors to intensify coordination with Vietnamese partners to address procedural bottlenecks and create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to implement high-quality investments, particularly in renewable energy and high-tech agriculture.

Chanthaphon Khammanichan, Chief of Office of the Laos–Viet Nam Cooperation Committee, updated participants on progress of implementing cooperation frameworks for the 2026–2030 period and the 2026 action plan. He said the committee will prioritise removing bottlenecks during the implementation of Vietnamese-funded aid projects, especially those with strategic connectivity and long-term growth impacts.

To ensure commitments made at the 48th session are fulfilled on schedule, he proposed establishing a strengthened monitoring mechanism requiring ministries, sectors and localities to form dedicated units, maintain regular reporting regimes and conduct quarterly field inspections to resolve issues related to land clearance and administrative procedures.

Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith commended relevant agencies for their preparations while acknowledging shortcomings in implementation at several localities, calling for more proactive and results-oriented cooperation approaches.

He emphasised that cooperation in the new phase must prioritise efficiency and focus on key driver projects, urging ministries and local authorities across Laos to enhance self-reliance and work closely with Vietnamese counterparts to maximise the effectiveness of friendship projects.

Against a backdrop of increasingly complex global developments, the Lao official also underscored the importance of strengthening defence and security cooperation to maintain a border of peace and friendship, promote sustainable development, and counter attempts by hostile forces to undermine the enduring solidarity between Laos and Viet Nam.