Vietnam - Laos strategic cooperation in the new period

On the basis of inheriting and promoting the tradition of special solidarity between the two countries, the two sides agreed to deepen the Vietnam-Laos relationship to a new height.

General Secretary To Lam and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith co-chaired the high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party - Photo: VNA

On the evening of December 2, General Secretary To Lam , his wife and the high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam successfully concluded their State visit to Laos. General Secretary To Lam's visit, on the one hand, affirmed the comprehensive support of the Party, State and people of Vietnam for the cause of innovation, protection and construction of Laos. On the other hand, it supplemented and elevated the great relationship between Vietnam and Laos to a strategic level.

The State visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic by General Secretary To Lam, his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation coincided with the 50th anniversary of Laos' National Day and the 105th anniversary of the birth of the late President Kaysone Phomvihane. This is a sacred event of historical, political and humanitarian significance, so the presence of General Secretary To Lam is not only a source of great encouragement and motivation, but also a vivid demonstration of the close and loyal relationship, sharing the joys and sorrows, sharing the joys and sorrows between the two Parties, two States and peoples throughout the revolutionary history of the two nations. At the same time, it affirmed that the great achievements that the Lao Party, State and people have achieved in recent times have had an important contribution from the wholehearted, righteous, effective and timely assistance of the Party, State and people of Vietnam with the motto "considering your victory as our victory".

General Secretary To Lam and his wife and delegates attend the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Day of the Lao PDR. (Photo: VNA)

On the basis of inheriting and promoting the tradition of special solidarity between the two countries, the two sides agreed to deepen the connotation of the Vietnam - Laos relationship to a new height. From the 12-word motto "great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation", it was raised to 16 golden words with the new element of "strategic cohesion". The Joint Statement of Vietnam and Laos also affirmed: The State visit to Laos by General Secretary To Lam and his wife is an important milestone opening a new chapter in the history of Vietnam - Laos relations, which is the relationship: "Great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, strategic cohesion", demonstrating a common vision, intertwined strategic interests and long-term companionship orientation for sustainable development, self-reliance and common prosperity of the two peoples.

In all the talks and meetings between General Secretary To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation with key leaders of the Lao Party and State, Vietnam and Laos agreed that in the coming time, the bilateral relationship will be linked with a common vision, common orientation and joint efforts in three directions of connection. These are Bilateral Connection, Sub-regional Connection, Regional and International Connection. This comprehensive strategic connection will be the foundation to strongly promote the cooperative relationship to go deeper and more substantial, especially the connection in vision and goals, development policies and strategies, infrastructure and development space, education, training and human resource development, thereby strengthening the security and sustainable development of the two countries.

General Secretary To Lam also affirmed: To promote the Vietnam - Laos relationship in the new period, it is necessary to firmly uphold three foundations: First, maintain the goal of national independence associated with socialism, taking the people as the center, increase sharing of experiences in Party building, anti-corruption, and innovation of the growth model. Second, build a peaceful, friendly border, cooperate and develop together. Third, supplement and support each other in terms of resources, assets and development space; link strengths, optimize common interests, jointly design synchronous development plans, and expand development space for both countries.

General Secretary To Lam and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese and Lao Foreign Ministries for the 2026-2030 period. (Photo: VNA)

General Secretary To Lam and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith witnessed the signing ceremony of 12 important cooperation documents between ministries, branches and localities of the two countries, which is a concrete demonstration of strategic cooperation directions in the coming time, in which political cooperation is the spearhead and the compass of Vietnam - Laos relations; national defense and security is one of the important pillars to ensure peace and stability of the two countries for development; socio-economic cooperation must make a breakthrough so that the two countries can grow together in the coming time.

The high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party was co-chaired by General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. This is the highest cooperation mechanism and has a particularly important role in guiding and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic connection between Vietnam and Laos, further deepening and affirming that the relationship between the two countries is always a top priority in each country's foreign policy; an exemplary relationship of long-term strategic significance, and one of the decisive factors for the victory of the revolutionary cause in each country.

The two sides also signed the Minutes of the Agreement between the two Politburoes in 2026. And immediately after that, the Prime Ministers of the two countries chaired the 48th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. These are very important directions to implement the latest agreements of the two parties.

During the State visit to Laos, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith presented the National Gold Medal, the highest medal of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, to General Secretary To Lam. General Secretary To Lam was moved to share that this was a great source of pride for the General Secretary personally and also a vivid proof of the relationship that has become an exemplary symbol, lasting over time in terms of comradeship and brotherhood.

The Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park was also inaugurated on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Laos's National Day, a symbolic project of the Party, State and people of Vietnam to the Party, State and people of Laos. The relationship between Vietnam and Laos is a unique relationship in the world. It is a "Great" relationship because it is a sentiment that has been forged through the greatest challenges: War, loss, and blood. It is a "Special" relationship because it is a pure and loyal solidarity of people with the same will, the same trenches, and the same interests. It is a "Pure" relationship because the two Parties and two States always put the interests of the revolutionary cause, national liberation and national construction above all else and is a prerequisite in resolving bilateral issues.

General Secretary To Lam sincerely and emotionally shared that the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic connection between Vietnam and Laos are invaluable assets. Therefore, taking care to preserve, cultivate and promote this invaluable asset is the political responsibility, sentiment, honor, reason for living and conscience of the Vietnamese and Lao peoples.

Source: https://vtv.vn/gan-ket-chien-luoc-viet-nam-lao-trong-giai-doan-moi-100251203203116812.htm