Mr Somsavath Phongsa (left) and Dr Pham Minh Son (right) display the signed Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for the development of media personnel after the signing ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Tuesday. --Photo Commission for Information and Education of the Central Committee

Laos, Vietnam strengthen cooperation in media personnel development

The media sectors of Laos and Vietnam have strengthened their long-standing cooperation with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhancing the training and professional development of Lao media personnel over the next five years.
The MoU, covering the period 2026-2030, was signed on August 4 at the Academy of Journalism and Communication (AJC) under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics in Hanoi.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Lao side by the Director General of the Department of Mass Media under the Commission for Information and Education of the Central Committee, Mr Somsavath Phongsa, and on behalf of Vietnam by the Director of the Academy of Journalism and Communication (AJC), Dr Pham Minh Son.
Representatives of relevant agencies from both countries attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Mr Somsavath said the new agreement builds on the close and productive cooperation that has existed between the two institutions since 2011.
He described the MoU as an important step in further strengthening collaboration for the development of media personnel, professional exchanges, academic research, and other joint activities.
Under the new agreement, the Vietnamese institute will continue assisting in the development of the capacity of Lao media professionals through short-, medium- and long-term training programmes.
It will also increase leadership and media management training courses to two sessions annually and provide scholarships for Lao personnel to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism and media studies.
The cooperation is expected to strengthen the professional skills of Lao media personnel and support the continued development of the country’s media sector.
The signing of the MoU marks another milestone in the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, while reaffirming both countries’ commitment to developing high-quality media professionals to meet the evolving needs of the media sector in the years ahead.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 6, 2026)