Party General Secretary To Lam holds talks with Lao Party Secretary General  and President Thongloun Sisoulith during the latter’s state visit to Vietnam on January 26, 2026. --Photo VNA/VNS

Vietnam–Laos ties set for reshape to new phase of cooperation and development

HANOI (VNS) -- The upcoming state visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, To Lam, is expected to mark an important political milestone, creating new momentum and opening a new phase of cooperation and development between Laos and Vietnam.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong said the visit, scheduled to take place on February 5 at the invitation of Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, holds special significance for the long-standing special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between the two countries.
The visit takes place in a particularly meaningful context, as it is General Secretary To Lam’s first overseas visit in his new term. It is also the first state visit received by Laos following the successful conclusion of the 12th National Congress of the LPRP, and comes shortly after Vietnam welcomed Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith as the first foreign head of state to visit Vietnam following the 14th National Congress of the CPV.
According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, these closely timed high-level exchanges clearly demonstrate the special importance and high priority that both Parties and States attach to the Vietnam–Laos relationship, which has been nurtured by generations of leaders and continues to be a valuable asset of both nations.
During the visit, General Secretary To Lam is expected to hold talks and working meetings with senior Lao leaders to comprehensively review bilateral cooperation in recent years, exchange views on the situation in each country as well as regional and international developments, and reach agreement on major orientations for advancing bilateral relations in the coming period.
A number of cooperation documents are expected to be signed during the visit, covering various fields and involving ministries, sectors and local authorities of both countries. These agreements are expected to contribute to strengthening the legal framework and creating favourable conditions for deeper, more practical and more effective cooperation.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong noted that a key focus of the visit will be the further concretisation of the concept of “strategic cohesion,” which was agreed upon by the two Party leaders in December 2025. This concept aims to elevate bilateral relations to a new level by enhancing coordination and mutual support in development, security and international integration.
Political relations and Party-to-Party cooperation continue to serve as the solid foundation of Vietnam–Laos ties. High-level exchanges, close coordination and regular consultation mechanisms between the two sides have been maintained, contributing to strengthened political trust and mutual understanding.
Cooperation in defence and security has continued to be enhanced, helping ensure political stability, social order and security in border areas. Joint mechanisms for border management, information exchange, training, and crime prevention have been implemented effectively, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation along the shared border.
Economic, trade and investment cooperation has recorded encouraging results. Bilateral trade exceeded US$3 billion in 2025 for the first time, reflecting the growing connectivity between the two economies. Vietnam’s investment in Laos has increased steadily, with total registered capital reaching more than US$6.2 billion across 276 projects, placing Vietnam among the leading foreign investors in Laos.
In addition, cooperation in education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges has continued to expand. Vietnam provides thousands of scholarships each year for Lao students and regularly welcomes tens of thousands of Lao officials, trainees and students for study and training, contributing to human resource development and strengthening long-term bonds between the two peoples.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong expressed confidence that the upcoming visit would become a significant political milestone, creating new momentum and opening a new phase of development for Vietnam–Laos relations, with a focus on the effective implementation of strategic cohesion.
He stressed that the visit not only reaffirms the top strategic priority that both countries give to each other in their respective foreign policies, but also reflects their shared determination to transform the traditional special solidarity into deeper, more substantive and sustainable cooperation, contributing to self-reliance, resilience and common prosperity for both nations.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update February 4, 2026)