Based on the legal frameworks for trade cooperation signed by both sides, such as the Bilateral Trade Agreement (March 3, 2015; revised and newly signed on April 8, 2024) and the Border Trade Agreement (signed on June 27, 2015), and most recently the Vietnam-Laos Agreement on Coal and Electricity Trade (signed on January 9, 2025)... these are important legal documents that practically facilitate the exchange of goods between businesses of the two countries, promoting the further development of bilateral and border trade.
Furthermore, under the close guidance and effective coordination between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Lao Ministry of Industry and Trade, the two sides have organized numerous trade promotion activities, business networking events, trade fairs, seminars, and trade exchange programs between Vietnam and Laos, creating opportunities for businesses to introduce products, negotiate contracts, and expand distribution systems. Trade cooperation between the two countries has achieved many important results, with Vietnam consistently being Laos' third largest trading partner after China and Thailand, affirming the shared determination to promote the substantial and sustainable development of bilateral trade.
Bilateral trade cooperation has reached many new milestones. In 2024, for the first time, Vietnam-Laos trade turnover exceeded US$2 billion, reaching a record US$2.2 billion. By 2025, it is expected to reach US$2.98 billion, a 32.7% increase compared to 2024, affirming the shared determination to promote the substantial and sustainable development of bilateral trade between the two countries. Vietnam's main export items to Laos include: Chemical products reaching US$353.2 million (an increase of 112.7%); machinery, equipment, tools, and other spare parts reaching US$140.7 million (an increase of 132.8%); iron and steel products reaching US$64.6 million (an increase of 21.4%); various types of iron and steel reaching US$47.7 million (an increase of 52.8%); and animal feed and raw materials reaching US$44.6 million (an increase of 41.4%). Fertilizers of all kinds reached US$30.2 million (up 16.8%); plastic products reached US$24.9 million (up 27.0%); paper and paper products reached US$21.7 million (up 79.0%); electrical wires and cables reached US$18.7 million (up 126.7%); other base metals and products reached US$18.3 million (up 289.0%); ceramic products reached US$18.1 million (up 8.7%); clinker and cement reached US$11.8 million (up 264.4%); confectionery and cereal products reached US$10.9 million (up 21.5%); coffee reached US$1.5 million (up 96.9%)... Vietnam's main imports from Laos include: Coal reached US$145.8 million (up 15.2%); Fertilizers of all kinds reached US$96.7 million (up 12.0%); fruits and vegetables reached US$8.8 million (up 199.8%); other base metals reached US$1.2 million (up 10.1%)...
The period 2026-2030, with the core objective agreed upon by the two Parties in their joint statement in December 2025: "Making economic , trade, and investment cooperation a pillar of the new strategic linkage," will open a new chapter for the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic linkage between the two countries.
To further boost trade turnover to reach the $5 billion mark, efforts are needed from ministries and agencies at both central and local levels in both countries, as well as the joint contributions of the business communities of both nations. Notable examples include the successful investment in renewable energy production plants such as the Truong Son wind power project with a capacity of 600MW in Bolikhamxay province, scheduled for commercial operation in September 2025 after 15 months of implementation, and the Savan 1 wind power project with a capacity of 300MW in Savannakhet province, scheduled for commercial operation and electricity sales to Vietnam from December 2025 after 14 months of implementation. Both sides will make the most of the tax and fee incentives through the signed trade agreements, thereby contributing to the further development of bilateral trade, creating jobs, improving income and living standards for the people of both countries, and contributing to building a peaceful , friendly, stable, cooperative, and sustainably developing Vietnam-Laos border.
Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/diem-sang-kim-ngach-thuong-mai-song-phuong-viet-lao-nam-2025.html
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