At the meeting, Sakhone Phommalath expressed appreciation for Viet Nam’s warm reception and briefed the Vietnamese side on the situation in Laos, saying the Lao political system is continuing to implement the resolutions of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
He highlighted the two sides’ cooperation under the memorandum of understanding for the 2022-2026 period, including exchanges of delegations and professional experience, joint seminars and the development of communications materials on the achievements of the two Parties and States.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the coming period, particularly in communications, external information, digital media, public opinion monitoring and training. They will also coordinate communications activities for major events in 2027, including the 65th anniversary of Viet Nam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Viet Nam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
At the meeting, Phan Xuan Thuy said that in line with the Politburo’s policy, the Commission for Communications, Education, and Mass Mobilisation was renamed the Commission for Publicity on August 1, while its function of giving advice regarding mass mobilisation was transferred to the Party Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and central socio-political organisations.
The Commission for Publicity now focuses on renewing the content and methods of its work in a more scientific and practical manner, closely aligning with real-world requirements. It also promotes the application of science and technology and digital transformation, makes effective use of new media platforms, strengthens coordination among communication-related fields and between central and local authorities, and improves the quality of training and professional development for officials.
According to Phan Xuan Thuy, the two commissions have maintained delegation exchanges, talks and experience sharing across various areas of information and education. Cooperation at the local level has also continued to expand, particularly among localities sharing the border.
The activities focused on delegation exchanges; training in monitoring and guiding public opinion, sharing skills in combating and refuting harmful information, false and distorted views in cyberspace; professional training in journalism and radio and television broadcasting; external information in border areas; and the development of bilingual Vietnamese-Lao communication materials. These activities have contributed to strengthening mutual understanding and trust, consolidating the political foundation and deepening the ties between the two Parties, the two States and the peoples of the two countries.
He affirmed that the two commissions would continue to improve the quality of training courses, with a focus on emerging issues such as digital communications, monitoring and guiding public opinion, the application of technology and new communication methods. They would strengthen information and communications activities, including external information on Viet Nam-Laos relations; harmoniously combine traditional journalism with digital platforms, and social media; and focus on visual, interactive, multimedia and multilingual products. The two sides would also strengthen the sharing of relevant materials and data, and pay greater attention to measuring outreach effectiveness, particularly among young people.
In 2027, the two sides will coordinate closely and focus their efforts on highlighting the historical value and significance of Viet Nam-Laos relations, while strengthening traditional education and fostering young people's appreciation of the ties between the two countries.
