National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man (right) and President of the Lao National Assembly Sonexay Siphandone in Hanoi. (File photo)

Vietnamese, Lao legislatures strengthen strategic ties

Hanoi (VNA) -- President of the Lao National Assembly Sonexay Siphandone and his spouse’s upcoming official visit to Vietnam from November 2-5 is expected to promote cooperation between the two legislatures and provide fresh impetus for both sides to translate high-level commitments into practical benefits for their people.
Vietnam and Laos are neighbouring countries sharing a border, the Truong Son Mountain Range and the Mekong River. The fine traditional friendship and enduring solidarity between their people, founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Suphanouvong, and painstakingly nurtured by generations of leaders of the two countires’ Parties, States and the people, have become a invaluable asset shared by both nations and a common guiding principle for their development on the path towards building prosperous countries and ensuring a life of peace, prosperity and happiness for their people.
The two countries officially established diplomatic relations on September 5, 1962. Since then, their ties have remained close and steadfast. On July 18, 1977, Vietnam and Laos signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. Over the past 49 years, the treaty has served as an important political and legal foundation for continuously strengthening bilateral relations and supporting the cause of national construction and defence in each country.
The two countries elevated their ties to “great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation” in February 2019, and “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion” in December 2025. The addition of “strategic cohesion” is intended to position Vietnam-Laos relations in the new context. It reflects their shared vision, intertwined strategic interests and commitment to long-term partnership in pursuit of sustainable development, self-reliance and shared prosperity for both nations.
The two sides have maintained exchanges of delegations at all levels through various channels and successfully organised numerous important external relations activities involving the top leaders of the two Parties and States.
In the first 10 months of 2026, they exchanged more than 100 delegations, including 15 high-ranking ones. Notable events included the state visit to Vietnam by Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revoluionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith on January 26-27, 2026, and the state visit to Laos by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam on February 5, 2026.
In economic, trade and investment cooperation, the two countries have consistently attached importance to and promoted close collaboration. Bilateral trade reached US$3 billion in 2025 and US$1.6 billion in the first eight months of 2026. The two sides are striving to raise the figure to US$5 billion and eventually US$10 billion in the coming years.
In terms of investment, as of August 2026, Vietnam had remained one of the leading foreign investors in Laos, with 301 projects and total registered capital of more than US$7 billion, ranking second among countries investing in Laos.
In the first eight months of 2026 alone, Vietnam launched 21 new investment projects in Laos, with total registered capital of nearly US$700 million, four times the figure recorded in 2025. Many projects have operated effectively, making positive contributions to Laos’ socio-economic development, creating jobs, raising incomes for thousands of workers and generating budget revenue. Defence and security cooperation has also continued to expand, remaining one of the key pillars of Vietnam-Laos relations.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 3, 2026)