Party Secretary General and President of Laos, Thoungloun Sisoulith (left), and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, inspect a guard of honour during a ceremony at the Presidential Office to welcome the Vietnamese leader. –Photo Pasaxon

Laos, Vietnam agree to cement ties, sign 12 cooperation agreements 

Laos and Vietnam have reinforced their long-standing relations by signing 12 key bilateral agreements during a state visit to Laos by the Party General Secretary of Vietnam, To Lam, to share in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, accompanied by his wife and a high-level delegation, arrived in Vientiane on Monday morning.
His state visit to Laos on December 1 and 2 is at the invitation of the Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, aiming to deepen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
President Thongloun Sisoulith warmly welcomed the visit, the first by General Secretary To Lam in his new role, and conveyed greetings to other Vietnamese Party and government leaders. 
He reaffirmed that the Party, government and people of Laos will continue to preserve and strengthen the bonds between the two nations.
Following the welcome ceremony at the Presidential Office, the two Party chiefs witnessed the exchange of 12 key cooperation documents that set the direction of bilateral ties in the coming years.

The documents cover a wide range of areas, including the Defence Cooperation Plan for 2026, an agreement to build strategic border roads for enhanced security and defence, and the Security Cooperation Agreement Plan for 2026. 
They also include a Memorandum of Understanding on industry and commerce to support supply chain links, cooperation agreements between the two justice ministries and foreign affairs ministries for 2026-2030, and a banking agreement covering the same period.
Other documents outline cooperation between the Party Central Committee Office and the Party Central Committee’s External Relations Committee for 2026-2030, as well as a cooperation plan between Thanh Hoa province and Huaphan province for 2026-2030, and continued collaboration in national television.
General Secretary To Lam thanked the Lao side for the warm hospitality and extended his congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. 
He pledged to continue to support Laos and to deepen the special relations between the two countries.
Following the agreement signing ceremony, President Thongloun presented a National Gold Medal to General Secretary To Lam in recognition of his contributions to advancing Laos-Vietnam relations.
The Lao and Vietnamese leaders highlighted the steady growth of their long-standing cooperation, especially strong political ties and continued trust at the highest level.
Trade and investment have also expanded, with bilateral trade from early 2025 reaching nearly US$3 billion amid hopes of rising to US$5 billion in the near future. 

Vietnam continues to be among the top investors in Laos, while cultural and social ties have strengthened through shared activities and achievements. 
The most outstanding of these in recent times is UNESCO’s inscription of the Hin Nam No National Park in Khammuan province as a World Natural Heritage Site, making it part of a transboundary heritage site in conjunction with the adjoining Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province, Vietnam.
On Monday afternoon, the Vietnamese leader met senior Lao Party and State leaders, staff and students at the National Academy of Politics and Public Administration in Vientiane. 
He spoke about the two countries’ long-standing ties and outlined Vietnam’s policy direction for the coming years.
On the same day, General Secretary To Lam also met the President of the National Assembly, Xaysomphone Phomvihane, and Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, reaffirming shared goals to maintain peace, promote trade and investment, and build stronger people-to-people links.
On Tuesday he will attend a ceremony in Vientiane to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. He will also join President Thongloun in opening the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park in Xaythany district, further highlighting the deep and enduring bond between the two nations.
The Vietnamese leader will meet with former Lao leaders and then co-chair with Secretary General Thongloun a meeting of the two Politburos. 
The talks are expected to outline a strategic cooperation plan for the years ahead and ensure that shared development projects deliver clear benefits for both countries.
The visit underscores the value placed on mutual respect and cooperation by the two Parties and governments. It also reflects a shared commitment to work together for continued stability, development and prosperity.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update December 1, 2025)