Party Secretary General and President of Laos, Thoungloun Sisoulith (left), and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, inspect a guard of honour during a ceremony at the Presidential Office in Vientiane to welcome the Vietnamese leader.

Laos, Vietnam boost special relationship, agree to build Friendship University

Laos and Vietnam strengthened their special friendship relations on February 5 by signing six cooperation documents, including an agreement to build the Laos-Vietnam Friendship University in Laos.
The Memorandums of Understanding (MoU)was signed between Laos’ Ministry of Education and Sports and Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.
The signed documents also included a 2026 cooperation plan between the two justice ministries and three memorandums of understanding on cooperation between Luang Namtha, Bokeo and Luang Prabang provinces and Vietnam’s Phu Tho province.
The two sides also signed minutes on the handover of books between the two education ministries, reflecting ongoing cooperation in education and human resource development.
The signing of the documents took place during a state visit to Laos by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Mr To Lam, at the invitation of the Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos, Mr Thongloun Sisoulith.
The Vietnamese Party General Secretary visit aimed to further strengthen and expand the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between Laos and Vietnam.
Mr To Lam and his delegation were given an official welcome ceremony at the Presidential Office in Vientiane on the morning of February 5, hosted by Mr Thongloun.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary, Mr To Lam (right) briefs a conference at the National Convention Hall on the outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, attended by Party Secretary General and President of Laos, Mr Thongloun Sisoulith along with high-level delegations from both nations.        --Photo Pathed Lao

Following the ceremony, the two leaders held bilateral talks, during which both sides exchanged views on their domestic situations and expressed appreciation for socio-economic achievements in recent years.
The visit was described as a new milestone in the relationship between the two countries. It was also the first high-level foreign delegation Laos has received since the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party last month.
At the same time, Laos was the first destination in Mr To Lam’s foreign engagement after being re-elected as General Secretary for another term, highlighting the importance Vietnam places on its ties with Laos.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the progress of cooperation across a wide range of areas, including politics, national defence and security, foreign affairs, trade, investment, technology, education and culture.
They welcomed the outcomes of the 2026 annual meeting between the two Politburos and the 48th meeting of the Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, which set strategic directions for cooperation in the coming period.
Several major cooperation projects were highlighted as priorities for both sides, including the Vung Ang port and the planned Vientiane-Thakhaek-Vung Ang railway, which are expected to support trade and connectivity.
Other projects include a 500kV power transmission line linking northern Laos to northern Vietnam, and the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Road planned along the border area, with about 200 kilometres to be built on the Lao side.
The two sides also discussed plans for an oil depot or pipeline system, and reaffirmed cooperation in building the Laos-Vietnam Friendship University in Laos.
In addition, they agreed to begin preparations for the Year of Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity in 2027, which will mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.
On the same day, Mr To Lam also met with Politburo member and President of the National Assembly, Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, and held talks with Politburo member and Prime Minister of Laos, Mr Sonexay Siphandone.
In a meeting at the National Convention Hall, Mr To Lam reported on the outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He was joined by Party Secretary General and President of Laos, Mr Thongloun Sisoulith, along with high-level delegations from both nations.
Mr To Lam also met members of the Vietnamese community living in Laos, laid a wreath at the Monument to Unknown Soldiers in Vientiane, and attended a Baci ceremony and dinner hosted by Mr Thongloun.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 6, 2026)