LPRP Secretary General and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith (right), greets Vietnamese schoolchildren while accompanied by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, during a welcome ceremony in Hanoi on Monday. -- Photo: Vientiane Times/ANN
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): The Party and government leaders of Laos and Vietnam have signed two important cooperation documents covering the period 2026-2030, during a state visit to Vietnam by President Thongloun Sisoulith.
The documents reaffirm the leaders’ commitment to deepening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between the two parties, states and peoples.
The first cooperation agreement was made between the Office of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, while the second strengthened ties between Vientiane’s Party Committee and Vietnam’s Hanoi Party Committee.
Both agreements aim to enhance coordination between the two parties, as well as expand cooperation at the local level.
The agreements were signed in the presence of LPRP Secretary General and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, during official talks held on January 26 in Hanoi.
The signings took place during President Thongloun’s state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from January 26-27, in response to an invitation from To Lam and his wife.
President Thongloun was accompanied by his wife and a high-level delegation. The visit was his first to another country following his re-election as Secretary General at the LPRP National Congress earlier this month.
The two leaders reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on future directions. They briefed one another on domestic developments and congratulated each other on the successful organisation of the 12th National Congress of the LPRP and the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
They expressed satisfaction with the continued deepening of Laos-Vietnam relations in all fields.
Political relations remain characterised by a high level of mutual trust, while cooperation in foreign affairs, defence and security continues to serve as a firm foundation of the relationship. Trade and investment cooperation has shown positive growth, with key projects implemented effectively through late 2025 and early 2026.
The leaders also welcomed the outcomes of the 2026 Politburo meeting and the 48th meeting of the Laos-Vietnam Intergovernmental Committee, which have created new momentum for cooperation in the economic, cultural, and scientific and technical spheres.
Looking ahead, the two leaders agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges and accelerate the development of connecting infrastructure, particularly the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway, the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway, and other key aspects of cooperation.
They also underscored the importance of educating younger generations about the historical foundations and enduring value of the Laos-Vietnam special relationship.
The visit concluded with a state banquet hosted by To Lam. President Thongloun Sisoulith invited To Lam and his wife to pay a state visit to Laos on February 5-6, which was warmly accepted. -- Vietnam News/ANN
