Former and current state and government leaders attend an event marking the 105th birth anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane.

President calls for unity, reform as Laos pays tribute to Kaysone Phomvihane

President Thongloun Sisoulith has called on the nation to strengthen unity, uphold revolutionary principles, and accelerate reform as Laos marks the 105th anniversary of the birth of the revolutionary hero President Kaysone Phomvihane on December 13.
Speaking at a ceremony in Vientiane on Friday, shortly after the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on December 2, the President said the legacy of the founding leader continues to illuminate the nation’s development path in the run-up to the XII National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.
He paid tribute to President Kaysone as the visionary architect of the Lao revolution and the principal figure behind the founding of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the establishment of the Lao People’s Army, and the creation of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1975.
President Kaysone served as the first Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 1975 to 1991 and then as the country’s second President from 1991 to 1992.

President Thongloun Sisoulith on Friday delivers a speech to mark the 105th anniversary of the birth of President Kaysone Phomvihane.

President Thongloun noted that President Kaysone’s ability to combine Marxist-Leninist theory with the patriotic strengths of the Lao people enabled the fragmented anti-colonial struggles to evolve into a unified national movement for independence.
He said Kaysone’s astute leadership—balancing political support, armed struggle, negotiation, and diplomacy—resulted in a series of political and battleground victories that culminated in national liberation and the establishment of a new socio-political era.
Reflecting on the early years of the Lao PDR, President Thongloun recalled the immense challenges the country, under the leadership of President Kaysone, confronted in rebuilding a war-torn nation, stabilising the economy, and safeguarding the fruits of the revolution.
He highlighted President Kaysone’s pivotal role in initiating the country’s renovation policy nearly four decades ago, laying the foundation for the socio-economic reforms that continue to shape Laos’ development today.
President Thongloun called on leaders and citizens to maintain a spirit of national unity as the backbone of political stability; uphold the revolutionary principles, humility and integrity practised by Kaysone and the founding generation of the Lao PDR; and utilise initiative and creativity in updating the Party’s policies to match evolving domestic and global circumstances.
The President underscored the importance of building an independent and self-reliant economy while proactively strengthening international cooperation to broaden development opportunities.
He also stressed the importance of accelerating development in rural and remote areas—a conviction long championed by Kaysone.
More must be done to give more people an education and bring technological advancements and economic opportunities to villages across the country, ensuring that people remain at the centre of all national development strategies, he said.
President Thongloun called on the Party, State, armed forces, and all citizens to carry forward Kaysone’s revolutionary cause with unity and unwavering determination.
The Party’s upcoming XII National Congress will be an important milestone when leaders will assess past achievements, reflect on lessons learnt, and define new directions to ensure more resilient, effective, and sustainable development.
The Congress will focus on the need to strengthen ideological education, organisational discipline, and state governance, which reflect President Kaysone’s long-held belief that a strong political foundation is the main driver of socio-economic progress.
The leader reaffirmed the Party and government’s commitment to delivering tangible improvements in public services, economic opportunities, and social welfare, ensuring that development benefits all Lao people.
“President Kaysone Phomvihane is the great hero of the Lao nation,” he said. “His ideals continue to guide the mission of our Party and will forever remain in the hearts of all Lao people.”

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update December 15, 2025)