Mr Saleumxay Kommasith (right) greets Mr Pham Gia Tuc at a meeting in Vientiane on Monday.

Lao, Vietnamese govts push for progress in infrastructure development

Laos-Vietnam cooperation continues to drive major development projects, such as the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway and Vientiane-Vung Ang Railway, to strengthen regional connectivity and economic links.
The two countries also plan to bolster trade in electricity and build a pipeline and oil storage depot as part of priority development schemes.
These projects were discussed during talks between Laos’ Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, and Vietnam’s Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Pham Gia Tuc, in Vientiane on Monday.
Mr Pham Gia Tuc paid an official visit to Laos on September 21 at the invitation of Mr Saleumxay Kommasith to further strengthen the two countries’ longstanding friendship, solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership.
Mr Saleumxay welcomed Mr Pham Gia Tuc and his delegation and expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
He also congratulated Mr Pham Gia Tuc on his appointment as Standing Deputy Prime Minister of the Vietnamese government.
During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, the two sides reviewed aspects of bilateral cooperation during the first nine months of 2026 and discussed priority tasks for the remainder of the year.
They also reviewed progress under the two governments’ 2026 cooperation plan and welcomed advances in political affairs, national defence, public security, education, human resource development, investment and trade.
The Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway and Vientiane-Vung Ang Railway are particularly important to efforts to improve connections between the two neighbours. The second section stretches for 203.8 kilometres from Pakxan district in Bolikhamxay province to the Laos-Vietnam border in Xaychamphone district.
Construction of this section is progressing, with the project developer targeting completion in 2029.
The Vientiane-Vung Ang Railway will link Vientiane with the Vung Ang seaport in Ha Tinh province in central Vietnam, giving Laos a direct rail link to a maritime trade route.
The railway is expected to cost about US$6.6 billion. The Lao section will stretch for 452 kilometres from Vientiane through Thakhaek district in Khammuan province to the Vietnamese border, while the Vietnamese section will cover a distance of about 119 kilometres.
Construction of the Lao section is scheduled to begin this year, with Vietnam planning to start work on its section in 2027. The railway is expected to be completed and operational by 2030.
The two sides agreed to move forward with these priority projects and bring them to fruition.
Investment was another focus of Monday’s talks. Vietnamese businesses have 435 investment projects in Laos, with approved capital totalling US$8 billion. Vietnam ranks second among the 53 countries investing in Laos.
In the first eight months of this year, the Lao government approved six investment projects by Vietnamese enterprises with a total capital of US$4.7 billion.
The two sides agreed to encourage further Vietnamese investment in sectors where Laos has development potential, with an emphasis on modern and environmentally friendly technology.
The value of two-way trade reached US$1.8 billion during the first eight months of this year.
Education and human resource development also remain important areas of cooperation. This year, the Vietnamese government provided 1,300 scholarships for Lao nationals to study at Vietnamese educational institutions.
The two countries are also working to advance the Laos-Vietnam Friendship University project.
The talks also covered preparations for an upcoming official visit to Laos by Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update September 22, 2026)