A Viet Nam News Agency correspondent in Laos had an interview with Thongsavanh Phomvihane, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, about Laos’ outstanding development achievements and Viet Nam’s important, sincere and devoted contributions to the cause of building and developing Laos over the past half century.
The interview took place on the occasion of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam, his spouse and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation’s State visit to Laos, attending the 50th National Day celebration of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic; and co-chairing the High-level Meeting between the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party from December 1 to 2, 2025.
Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane said that by 2025, Laos will have celebrated 50 years since the declaration of the country’s founding (December 2, 1975). Five decades is not a long time, but if we look back at the starting point of 1975 — when the country was still poor, infrastructure was barely developed, industry had not yet formed, and the illiteracy rate was among the highest in the region — the achievements Laos has made today are enormous.
Over the past 50 years, especially after more than 40 years of implementing the renovation process, Laos has resolved many difficulties, and people’s lives have improved significantly. Education is one of the bright spots, the rate of illiterate people, which previously accounted for 70% of the population, has now been basically eliminated; education has become the foundation for national development.
Infrastructure and industry have made great strides. In the early years, there were almost no paved roads, including National Highway No. 13 running the length of the country.
Up to now, the road system connecting the north and south, inter-provincial and inter-district routes have been strongly invested; the rate of people using electricity has increased almost nationwide. These are vivid proofs of Laos’ development.
In the field of foreign affairs, Laos has established relations with more than 140 countries, and has more than 40 representative agencies abroad. Party foreign affairs have also been expanded to more than 100 political parties in more than 80 countries; people-to-people diplomacy has also developed strongly.
Compared to 1975, the appearance of Laos’ foreign affairs has changed completely. Although the country still faces many difficulties, including economic and financial fluctuations, Laos has been making efforts to overcome them to move towards sustainable development.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of National Day, the Lao Foreign Minister also expressed his deep gratitude to international friends, especially Viet Nam — a country that has always stood shoulder to shoulder with Laos, given Laos sincere and meaningful help since the early days of the country’s founding, making important contributions to the cause of building and developing the country of Laos.
The Lao Foreign Minister expressed his special joy when Laos welcomed General Secretary To Lam for a State visit. This is the first visit of General Secretary To Lam to Laos in his capacity as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. The visit will be of special significance, contributing to promoting the special relationship between the two Parties, two States and peoples of the two countries — a relationship built from the years of resistance war to save the country.
Minister Thongsavanh emphasised that both Parties have their origins in the Indochinese Communist Party, sharing the same ideal of fighting for national independence. The two countries fought together against the common enemy and achieved historic victory in 1975. Therefore, the Laos–Viet Nam relationship is a special relationship, built with the blood and sweat of many generations.
General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Laos takes place in the context that both countries are preparing for the Party Congress — the 12th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the 14th Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam.
During this visit, General Secretary To Lam will also attend the 50th anniversary of Laos’ National Day — an event of great significance, marking the achievements that Laos has achieved over the past half century, including the important support and contributions of Viet Nam.
In the context of complicated developments in the region and the world, affecting the global economy and politics, strengthening cooperation, connectivity, and integration is an inevitable trend.
According to the Lao Foreign Minister, during this visit, Laos and Viet Nam will continue to promote the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, and study strategic cooperation orientations for sustainable development in the future.
Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that since Laos and Viet Nam established diplomatic relations in 1962, the two countries have always stood side by side in the fight for independence and in building and developing the country. The signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 1977 was an important legal milestone, making the relationship between the two countries exemplary and rare in the world.
In the context of the current volatile world situation, continuing to consolidate, nurture and develop the special relationship between Laos and Viet Nam and Viet Nam and Laos is even more important, bringing practical benefits to the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
