President Thongloun Sisoulith (right) receives a courtesy call from General Nguyen Trong Nghia during his official visit to Laos this week. --Photo Lao News Agency

Party leader hails outcome of Lao-Vietnamese army talks

Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, Mr Thongloun Sisoulith, on Thursday received a courtesy call from Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army General Nguyen Trong Nghia, and praised the fruitful outcomes of the general’s talks with his Lao counterpart. 
General Nghia is paying an official visit to Laos from August 5–7, aimed at strengthening defence cooperation and further consolidating the longstanding special relationship between Laos and Vietnam.
President Thongloun warmly welcomed the Vietnamese delegation and said he highly valued the visit, describing it as another step in deepening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the parties, states, armies and peoples of Laos and Vietnam.
He praised the successful outcome of talks between the General Departments of Politics of the Lao People’s Army and the Vietnam People’s Army, saying the discussions would help to expand practical cooperation and reinforce the longstanding ties between the two countries.
General Nguyen Trong Nghia thanked President Thongloun for the warm reception and briefed him on the objectives of his visit to Laos.
He reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to preserving and promoting the special relationship between the two countries, pledging to further strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two parties, states and peoples.
General Nghia also paid a courtesy call on Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Khamlieng Outhakaisone.
The two generals reiterated their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation as a key pillar of the Laos-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in political education, military exchanges, border management and personnel training, Vietnam News Agency reported.
Earlier, General Nguyen Trong Nghia held talks with Deputy Minister of National Defence and Director General of the General Department of Politics of the Lao People’s Army, Lieutenant General Vongsone Inpanphim.
They agreed to expand cooperation in Party and political work, strengthen exchanges between the two militaries, enhance border management cooperation, and educate younger generations about the history and enduring value of the great friendship and special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam.
General Nguyen Trong Nghia’s visit underlined the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthening defence cooperation as a key pillar of the Laos-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership while carrying forward the special bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two neighbouring nations.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update August 7, 2026)