General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam.

Vietnam’s Party leader praises Laos’ tenacity, successes over 50 years

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, celebrated every year on December 2 as National Day, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, has written an article titled “50 years of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Mettle, wisdom, and achievements bearing the imprint of the times”.

Fifty years ago, under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) headed by President Kaysone Phomvihane as the leader of the fraternal Lao people, the military and civilians rose up, seized power, overthrew the monarchy, and liberated Laos from domination by a feudal regime, imperialism, and colonialism, thereby founding the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
This was a historic landmark, opening up a new chapter in the land of champa flowers - an era of independence, freedom, and a just and civilised society that has enabled Lao people of all ethnic groups to determine their own destiny.
The turning point was the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975, which followed on from the triumphant victory of the Vietnamese revolution which resulted in the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the whole country on April 30, 1975.
The victory of the Vietnamese resistance war against aggressors, culminating in the liberation and reunification of Vietnam, was inseparable from the selfless assistance and great sacrifices of the Lao people along the western Truong Son section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which ran through Lao territory and came under relentless bombardment by their common enemy.
President Ho Chi Minh’s sayings that “We consider the happiness and prosperity of our Lao brothers as our own” and “helping our friends is helping ourselves” were deeply embraced by generations of leaders and citizens in both Vietnam and Laos, forming a wellspring of strength that took each country’s revolution from one victory to another.
Since the Indochinese Communist Party was founded in 1930, directed by creative, courageous, and intelligent policies that spurred the revolutionary struggle with the participation of the courageous and tenacious Lao people, with the support and assistance of international friends, especially the great, sincere, and selfless support of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party has steadfastly steered the Lao revolutionary ship through difficulties and challenges, and achieved great, wide-ranging, and solid victories.
As two neighbouring countries bound by deep friendship, attachment, mutual support, and assistance, embodied in the spirit of “sharing even a grain of rice, dividing even a vegetable stem”, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Communist Party of Vietnam share a common origin in the Indochinese Communist Party, which was jointly nurtured by the Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, and the Lao Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong.
Throughout the long history of each nation, since their founding the two Parties have worked in unity, leading their armies and peoples in a struggle that saw them fight “shoulder to shoulder”, “share hardships”, and “live and die together”, with the unshakeable determination that “nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”.
This unbreakable spirit enabled them to defeat common enemies, achieve complete victory, and liberate their respective nations, while at the same time working together to build and develop their countries in new ways.
In his congratulatory address to the 4th National Congress of the Workers’ Party of Vietnam in 1976, President Kaysone Phomvihane said “In every success of the Lao revolution, there can be found a direct contribution of the Vietnamese revolution.”
After nearly 40 years of implementing a policy of renewal policy, starting out as a purely agricultural economy stifled by blockades and embargoes, Laos has become an economically independent and self-reliant nation and advanced from an import-reliant country to an exporter of agricultural products.
Socio-political stability has been maintained, national defence and security has been upheld, the economy has grown, and people’s living standards have continuously improved, with per-capita income increasing nearly 20-fold over 40 years.
To date, the LPRP has built relations with more than 150 political parties around the world while the Lao People’s Democratic Republic enjoys diplomatic relations with 151 countries, operates 41 embassies, and is a member of many international organisations.
The country’s successful hosting of numerous international conferences stands as clear evidence of the wide-ranging and proud transformation of the beautiful country of Laos.
In recent years, under the leadership of the LPRP, headed by Party Secretary General and President Thongloun Sisoulith, the Party, State and Lao people have faithfully implemented the resolutions adopted by the 11th National Party Congress, enabling the country to overcome numerous difficulties and challenges, particularly during the post-COVID-19 recovery period, while maintaining political stability, strengthening national unity, promoting socio-economic growth, improving people’s living conditions, and continuously enhancing Laos’ position in the international arena.
At the same time, successive generations of leaders are steadfastly pursuing a vision to turn Laos into a “land-linked nation”, increase investment in infrastructure to connect transport routes, and develop economic corridors.
Under the recent remodelling of administration, the Party, State, and people are generating new momentum for growth and expanding development fields, helping Laos integrate more deeply into regional economic flows and affirming the integration capacity of a dynamically developing nation.
Laos and Vietnam are now preparing to hold the National Congresses of their respective Parties. These have the potential to be historic milestones marking an entry into a new era of development for peace, stability, sustainable, and high-quality growth, as well as improving all aspects of people’s lives.
The two countries should focus on economic development cooperation; fully promote the potential of each to contribute to growth objectives; coordinate to strengthen security and order, maintain political stability; and ensure peace in the region and around the world.
Cooperation in politics, Party building, administration, culture, health, education, national defence and security should be intensified. The responsibilities of competent agencies must be emphasised in implementing the agreements between the two Parties and States.
Comprehensive relations shall continue to be strengthened, along with the sharing of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences, and closer cooperation in human resources training to meet the requirements of national development in the digital age.
Celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and the 105th birth anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane on December 13, the Party, State, and people of Vietnam are delighted and proud of the glorious achievements that the Party, State, and people of Laos have attained over the past 50 years.
Unofficial translation by Khonsavanh Latsaphao, Deputy Head of the International News Division of Lao Press in Foreign Languages

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update December 3, 2025)