Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavan Phomvihane speaks to Lao and Vietnamese media.

Vietnam PM’s Laos visit to cement ties, over 10 pacts to be signed

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung is scheduled to arrive in Laos on Thursday for a two-day official visit that will give fresh impetus to bilateral ties and economic cooperation, with the two neighbours seeking stronger links in infrastructure, trade, investment, energy and tourism.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavan Phomvihane said the Lao side hopes the visit will produce a breakthrough in economic cooperation that better reflects the exceptionally close political relationship between Laos and Vietnam.
“What the Lao side most hopes to drive is a strong and concrete transformation – raising economic, trade and investment cooperation to a breakthrough level that matches the great significance of the special political relationship between the two countries,” Mr Thongsavan said in an interview with Lao and Vietnamese media on Tuesday.
The visit carries particular significance as it marks Mr Le Minh Hung’s first official bilateral overseas trip since taking office as Prime Minister.
Mr Thongsavan said PM Hung’s choice of travelling to Laos for his first overseas trip demonstrates the importance Vietnam attaches to its relations with Laos. This reaffirms the two countries’ commitment to further strengthen their “Great Friendship, Special Solidarity, Comprehensive Cooperation, and Strategic Partnership”.
During the visit, PM Hung will hold bilateral talks with his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith.
Following the formal bilateral talks, more than 10 cooperation documents are expected to be signed and exchanged between ministries, sectors and local authorities of the two countries.
The agreements are expected to provide a foundation for practical cooperation and contribute to preparations for the 49th meeting of the Laos-Vietnam Inter-Governmental Committee, scheduled for early 2027.
A Laos-Vietnam investment promotion conference is planned as part of the visit and about 1,000 representatives from the government and business sectors are expected to attend.
Mr Thongsavan said Laos wants to focus future cooperation on three main areas, beginning with infrastructure and transport connectivity.
The two countries intend to accelerate strategic projects involving roads, railways, energy and fuel supply systems, with Laos seeking to capitalise on its geographic location and become a regional connectivity hub.
The Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway, linking the two countries’ capitals, and the planned railway linking Vientiane with Vung Ang port in Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh province are expected to be tabled at two PMs’ talks. Laos is accelerating compensation for affected villagers to make way for the expressway’s 203.8-km Pakxan–Thanh Thuy section. 
“The key goal is to transform the Lao PDR from a landlocked country into a ‘regional connectivity hub’,” Mr Thongsavan said.
He added that stronger connectivity will help lower production and transport costs, increase the competitiveness of goods and further integrate the two economies.
The second priority is expanding bilateral trade and investment. Laos hopes to attract more Vietnamese investors, particularly in clean energy, hi-tech agriculture, mining and domestic processing, and address obstacles affecting cross-border trade.
The third area involves deeper cooperation in energy, education and tourism.
The two countries also plan to expand energy exchanges and trade, continue cooperation in developing educational institutions, and jointly promote tourism under the “One Destination, Two Countries” model.
Two-way trade between Laos and Vietnam reached nearly US$3 billion in 2025. In the first seven months of 2026, it reached US$1.47 billion. Vietnamese Investment in Laos reached US$590.3 million in 2025. 
To boost further cooperation, Mr Thongsavanh stressed the need for ministries, sectors and local authorities to work more efficiently and quickly to address bottlenecks facing businesses and investors.
Alongside economic cooperation, Laos and Vietnam will continue strengthening youth, educational and cultural exchanges to ensure their longstanding ties are passed on to younger generations.
The Deputy Prime Minister also called for Vietnam’s continued cooperation and support as Laos prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Country status at the end of 2026 and pursues its policy of building an independent and self-reliant economy.
He said the visit will help build momentum towards the Laos-Vietnam, Year of Solidarity and Friendship in 2027, when the two countries will mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
Mr Thongsavan expressed confidence that the visit will further strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between Laos and Vietnam, while delivering tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
 (Latest Update October 8, 2026)