Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith addresses the 50th National Day celebration.

Lao PDR marks 50th anniversary, sets sights on upper-middle-income status by 2055

The multiethnic Lao people came together on December 2 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) with a grand parade, honouring a hard-won revolutionary victory, reviewing five decades of nation-building, and outlining the country’s long-term development vision.
Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and State President Thongloun Sisoulith addressed the commemorative gathering at the That Luang esplanade.
The ceremony was broadcast nationwide, enabling people across the country and worldwide to take part in the momentous celebration.
Party and state leaders, former leaders, Party members, senior officials, foreign guests, ambassadors, and representatives of international organisations attended the historic event.

President Thongloun reflected on the turning point in 1975, recalling how revolutionary forces and patriotic Lao people gathered at the same revered landmark location to seize power in Vientiane.
This victory paved the way for the National People’s Congress to abolish colonial rule and feudalism and proclaim the establishment of the Lao PDR on December 2, 1975, with full territorial integrity.
This pivotal event, he said, “opened a new era in building our beloved and cherished Lao homeland, enabling it to advance rapidly and strongly on the path of independence, self-reliance, unity, and prosperity.”
He paid tribute to President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong, who spearheaded the Lao revolution, as well as all other leaders and revolutionary fighters who dedicated themselves to the national liberation struggle.
Reviewing the country’s development over the past 50 years, President Thongloun said the Lao PDR has weathered obstacles, difficulties, and challenges, but remained steadfast in its resolve to find a development path suited to Lao circumstances.

Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith addresses the 50th National Day celebration.

Another crucial milestone, he noted, came in 1986 when President Kaysone spearheaded the launch of the country’s “renovation policy”, opening up Laos to the wider world and laying the essential foundations for national development.
Thanks to the Party’s leadership, Laos has transformed from a feudal and backward country that was colonised and became a vassal state of foreign powers for hundreds of years into a nation with full independence and sovereignty.
“The people’s democratic regime has been established, consolidated, and developed with major transformations in many areas,” President Thongloun said.
He highlighted the country’s sustained political stability, strengthened national unity, expanding economy, and the preservation and promotion of Lao cultural identity as key achievements.
 These gains, he said, have contributed significantly to poverty reduction and laid the groundwork for Laos to graduate from Least Developed Country status in 2026.
“The Lao PDR has become a trusted partner and development partner of many nations,” he said, adding that Laos’ profile has been elevated on the international stage.
President Thongloun expressed gratitude to friendly countries, development partners, international organisations, and civil society groups for their support over the past half-century. At the same time, he reaffirmed Laos’ foreign policy of peace, independence, friendship, and development cooperation.
Looking ahead, he said Laos will continue to uphold socialist principles, strengthen national unity, and build a state “from the people, by the people, and for the people”.
The government will pursue an independent, self-reliant economy guided by balanced and sustainable development principles across the economic, social, cultural, and environmental sectors.
“By 2055, when the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party marks its 100th anniversary, the Lao PDR will be a developing country with upper-middle income,” he declared.
Concluding his address, President Thongloun delivered four proclamations, echoed by parade participants:
Long live the Lao People’s Democratic Republic!
Long live the glorious Lao People’s Revolutionary Party!
May President Kaysone Phomvihane, our beloved and revered leader, live forever in the revolutionary cause and in the hearts of the Lao people!
Long live the spirit of National Day, December 2!
Following the president’s speech, spectators witnessed a grand parade featuring military and police contingents, government ministries, students, youth groups, and representatives of various sectors, symbolising both the unity and diversity of the multiethnic Lao people.
The parade concluded with a vibrant cultural show staged by performers from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Dressed in colourful traditional costumes, performers from multiple ethnic groups formed three large circular formations, recreating the traditional Lao circle dance and bringing a festive close to the solemn ceremony.
Foreign leaders attending the event included General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Mr To Lam; a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, Mr Wang Huning; Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party, Samdech Pichey Sena Tea Banh; Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council, Mr Nikolay Zhuravlev, and a member of the Politburo from Cuba, Ms Marta Ayala.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update December 3, 2025)