The agreement is designed to comprehensively finalise the legal framework for road transport between the two countries, facilitate cross-border transport, strengthen infrastructure connectivity, catalyse trade, and contribute to consolidating Viet Nam–Laos friendship and cooperation.
Under the decision signed by Deputy Minister of Construction Le Anh Tuan on August 11, 2026, the process of drafting the agreement will follow a specific roadmap, ensuring a rigorous and systematic approach in line with legal regulations and practical requirements.
Accordingly, from August to October 2026, the Ministry of Construction will prioritise formulating the contents for negotiations. Relevant agencies will solicit expert feedback from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, and relevant ministries, sectors, and localities, while conducting an initial assessment of the potential impact of the agreement on politics, national defence, security, and socio-economic development.
At the same time, relevant agencies will audit the existing legal framework and international treaties to which Viet Nam is a party that relate to road transport, thereby ensuring that the provisions to be negotiated are appropriate, consistent, and feasible.
The Department for Roads of Viet Nam has been assigned to spearhead the execution, in coordination with the Department of International Cooperation and relevant agencies and units.
Under the roadmap, in the third and fourth quarters of 2026, the Ministry of Construction will forward the formal resolution to commence negotiations and the proposal to conclude negotiations on the agreement to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval. The negotiations are expected to take one to two years.
After the negotiations are completed, the parties will execute the necessary legal procedures to propose the signing and organise the signing of the international treaty in accordance with regulations.
The development of a new road transport agreement is expected to help solidify high-level agreements between the two Parties and two States, while providing a favourable legal basis for resolving logistical bottlenecks and obstacles in cross-border transport, and improving the efficiency of transport connectivity and trade between Viet Nam and Laos.
The agreement will thereby contribute to fortifying the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos, meeting the requirements for developing bilateral relations in the new context.
