VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN): The value of trade between Laos and Vietnam reached almost US$3 billion in 2025, directed and supported by the two countries’ parties and governments.
Member of Laos’ Party Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thongsavanh Phomvihane, recently gave an update to reporters on the growing cooperation between the two countries under the leadership of the 11th Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the 13th Communist Party of Vietnam.
“Vietnam is one of the leading investors in Laos and both countries aim to achieve a two-way trade value of US$5 billion in the near future,” he said.
Many joint projects have been successfully undertaken, helping to spur Laos’ socio-economic development and economic integration between the two countries.
Laos and Vietnam, under the constant attention and guidance of Party and state leaders, have made significant gains in cooperation in many areas.
Political and diplomatic relations continue to be enhanced and deepened and the two countries recently agreed to add the term “strategic partnership” to describe their close relationship.
All of this demonstrates the deep political trust and shared determination of the two parties and states to elevate the Laos-Vietnam special relationship to a new level, to align with the interests and aspirations of the peoples of both countries and actively contribute to building peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
Cooperation in national defence and security continues to be enhanced as an important pillar of Laos-Vietnam relations, helping to maintain political stability and ensuring national defence, security, and social order in the two countries.
The two countries continue to safeguard security and maintain peaceful borders and public order, while economic, trade and investment cooperation has increased and achieved outstanding results.
Laos and Vietnam also enjoy close socio-cultural cooperation. The most notable example of this is UNESCO’s recent listing of the Hin Nam No National Park in Khammuan province as a World Natural Heritage Site. The park adjoins the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province, Vietnam, and the two are now inextricably linked.
Thongsavanh said ministries, organisations, sectors and localities in Laos and Vietnam have partnered to fulfil agreements made by Lao and Vietnamese leaders, and bilateral cooperation during the years 2021-2025 achieved set goals,
What stands out in the fourth quarter of 2024 and in 2025 were the determined attempts to refine the contents, plans and strategic cooperation projects that have made important contributions to the development of each country, Thongsavanh said.
This has served to build confidence in the enduring great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between Laos and Vietnam. -- Vientiane Times/ANN
