The event is the largest bilateral trade promotion activity of the year, jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos.
The event was attended by Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Phoutthavan Namthavong, representatives of departments under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and other Lao ministries and agencies. Representing Viet Nam were Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam, representatives of units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, agencies attached to the Embassy, representatives of Vietnamese and Lao enterprises, as well as a large number of Lao visitors and members of the Vietnamese community in Laos.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Phoutthavan Namthavong said that the fair is a national-level trade exhibition that plays an important role in promoting trade, investment and tourism, while making a positive contribution to the socio-economic development of both Laos and Viet Nam. The event also serves to implement the annual cooperation plan between the two governments and the ministries responsible for industry and commerce of the two countries.
Deputy Minister Phoutthavan Namthavong expressed his hope that participation in this year's trade fair would enable businesses from Laos and Viet Nam to identify new partners and conclude numerous purchase, sales and distribution agreements, thereby increasing bilateral trade and helping to achieve the targets set by the two governments of 5 billion USD in the near future and 10 billion USD by 2030.
Delivering the opening remarks, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam said that economic cooperation has become a lasting foundation of bilateral relations and continues to flourish. In 2025, two-way trade between Viet Nam and Laos reached 2.98 billion USD, an increase of 32.7% compared with 2024. Of this total, Viet Nam's exports to Laos reached a record 1.08 billion USD, up 43.1% year on year, while Viet Nam's imports from Laos amounted to 1.9 billion USD, an increase of 27.3%.
During the first five months of 2026, the total import-export turnover between Viet Nam and Laos reached 1.07 billion USD. Viet Nam's exports to Laos totalled 292.67 million USD, mainly consisting of industrial materials and equipment. Several product categories recorded strong growth, including fruit and vegetables (up 76.42%), textiles and garments (up 58.93%), and animal feed (up 26.94%). Meanwhile, Viet Nam's imports from Laos exceeded 782.9 million USD.
In terms of investment, Vietnamese enterprises have invested across most provinces and cities of Laos in sectors including energy (wind power and hydropower), mining, high-tech agriculture, telecommunications (Unitel), banking and others.
To date, many investment projects undertaken by Vietnamese enterprises in Laos have operated effectively, making positive contributions to socio-economic development, creating jobs and improving incomes for thousands of workers, while also increasing budget revenues for Laos.
The Ambassador affirmed that these achievements demonstrate the political determination of the senior leaders of both countries, together with the close and effective coordination among ministries, sectors and localities, particularly the strong cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos.
The business communities of both countries have also continued to make determined efforts to overcome difficulties, adapt flexibly to the regional and international economic environment, actively expand investment, develop markets and enhance their competitiveness.
The Ambassador noted that the trade balance between the two countries has remained relatively balanced, while the structure of traded goods has continued to develop in a more positive and sustainable direction. The range of goods exchanged has become increasingly diverse, reflecting the development needs and comparative strengths of each country.
These achievements not only demonstrate the effectiveness of bilateral economic cooperation but also contribute to further deepening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic connectivity between the two countries in the new stage of development.
Building on the success of previous editions, VIETLAO EXPO 2026 has been organised on a larger scale and with higher quality than in recent years.
The exhibition comprises 250 standard booths, including 120 booths representing nearly 90 Vietnamese enterprises showcasing high-quality and reputable products in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, agricultural, forestry and fishery products, processed food, fashion, garments, handicrafts, furniture, chemicals and consumer goods.
On the Lao side, 50 enterprises are participating in this year's fair, demonstrating the interest and confidence of the business communities of both countries in the continued development of Viet Nam–Laos trade relations.
VIETLAO EXPO 2026 not only serves as an effective platform for enterprises and investors from Viet Nam and Laos to meet, exchange experience and strengthen investment cooperation, but is also a significant political and socio-economic event that contributes to consolidating the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic connectivity between Viet Nam and Laos, enabling this unique relationship to continue flourishing.
