The faithful and pure relationship between Vietnam and Laos was founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong, and has been diligently cultivated by generations of leaders and people of the two countries.
With the spirit of mutual support, Vietnam and Laos have always assisted each other in the struggle for national liberation, as well as in the cause of protecting, constructing and developing the country.
Vietnam’s important achievements have been accompanied by Laos, and they are also a great source of encouragement for the Lao construction and development.
Through regular exchanges of delegations and contacts at all levels, the Vietnam-Laos relationship has become increasingly close and trustworthy. The relationship between the two countries has continued to develop fruitfully in recent years.
Political relations play a guiding role in bilateral ties. The two sides have well-organised foreign affairs activities between high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and the two States and have signed cooperation documents in many important fields.
Defence and security cooperation has been strengthened closer and more effectively. The two sides have coordinated closely to implement the Protocol on defence cooperation for the 2020-2024 period and the 2024 Cooperation Plan on defence and security.
Economic, trade and investment cooperation has been promoted. Two-way trade turnover in the first seven months of 2024 reached 1.1 billion USD, up 16.7% over the same period in 2023.
Other cooperation areas such as education and training, health care, culture, and people-to-people exchange have seen positive results.
Many cultural, artistic and sports exchange activities have been organised by both sides, strengthening solidarity and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.
The two countries have consistent policies on attaching importance to and giving the highest priority to consolidating the Vietnam - Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation. This has been repeatedly affirmed by the leaders of the Party and the State of the two countries.
Along with promoting the cooperation outcomes, the two sides also propose cooperation directions in the new period to continue to develop the Vietnam-Laos relationship more substantively and effectively.
In the coming time, the two sides agreed to focus on implementing high-level cooperation agreements, such as the Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation Agreement for the 2021-2025 period and the Vietnam-Laos Strategic Cooperation Agreement for the 2021-2030 period.
The two sides also affirm maintaining high-level and all-level visits and contacts enhancing the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation to bring more practical benefits to the people of the two countries.
Regarding international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two sides agreed that, in the context of the current complicated developments in the world and the region, the two countries need to strengthen close coordination and mutual support at multilateral organisations and forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
Vietnam continues to affirm its support and assistance for Laos to successfully assume the ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024, thereby contributing to maintaining solidarity and the central role of the Association, while enhancing the role and position of Laos in the region and the world.
The cooperation achievements between Vietnam and Laos in all fields have become an important driving force to maintain political stability, and socio-economic development, and ensure national defence and security in each country.
The great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos are increasingly deepening, actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.
