Elevating the Vietnam - Laos 'Strategic Engagement'

General Secretary To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly, along with the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, successfully concluded their State visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, attending the 50th National Day Celebration of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (December 2, 1975 - December 2, 2025) and co-chairing the High-Level Meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party at the invitation of General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his wife from December 1 to 2, 2025.

Comrade Bounthong Chitmany, Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat, Vice President of Laos, saw off General Secretary To Lam and his wife at Wattay International Airport, Vientiane. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

This is one of Vietnam's particularly important foreign affairs activities in 2025 and is also the first State visit to Laos by General Secretary To Lam in his new position.

On the basis of inheriting and promoting the tradition of special solidarity, the two sides agreed to deepen bilateral relations by adding new connotations: “Great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, strategic connection”, creating new momentum in the new development stage, contributing to strengthening political trust and expanding cooperation space for both countries. At the same time, this is also an affirmation of the common vision and orientation of long-term companionship for the goal of sustainable development, self-reliance and common prosperity of the two peoples.

Since ancient times, the people of Laos and Vietnam have always had a close solidarity, love and mutual assistance. The relationship between Laos and Vietnam is a rare relationship, built from respect, sacrifice of blood and brains; it has become a model, sincere, pure relationship, rare in international relations. The two countries share the Truong Son mountain range, many river sections, and a border stretching through mountains, forests, and villages. Geography is the starting point of a natural, close, intertwined bond, a place where "in times of need" people are together, a place where they hear the rooster crow, share a bowl of rice, and a grain of salt.

For centuries, the people of the two countries have gone through great historical challenges together: facing nature to survive, being invaded by colonialists and imperialists; being divided, restrained, oppressed; facing the pressure of survival, either uniting to win, or being defeated one by one. The special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos is the only correct choice, a strategic historical necessity and of vital significance. The two peoples realize that "to survive and develop, we must stand together".

Recently, in addition to strengthening cooperation in politics, defense and security, the two sides have also made efforts to raise the level, create breakthroughs and create strong changes in economic cooperation, especially effectively implementing key projects connecting the two economies, especially in transportation (including highways and railways), energy, trade, investment, training and development of high-quality human resources and building sustainable supply chains.

Other areas of cooperation such as education and training, culture, transportation, energy, agriculture, etc. continue to be promoted and achieved many encouraging results. People-to-people exchanges and cooperation between localities of the two countries are increasingly expanding, contributing to enhancing understanding and solidarity between the people of the two countries, especially the young generation.

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 on the afternoon of December 2, 2025. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

This visit agreed on measures to promote economic, trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation, bringing the cooperation relationship to a deeper and more effective level, commensurate with the stature of the political relationship. The two leaders witnessed the handover ceremony of 12 important cooperation documents between ministries, branches, localities and relevant agencies of the two countries in the pillars of defense, security, health, justice, education - training, finance - banking, strategic infrastructure, etc.; creating a new legal foundation and driving force to further develop the Vietnam - Laos cooperation relationship in a deeper, more substantial and more effective manner in the new period.

Delivering a policy speech at the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration with the theme "Inheriting the great friendship, cultivating special solidarity, consolidating comprehensive cooperation and promoting Vietnam - Laos strategic ties in the new period", General Secretary To Lam said that the world is changing rapidly, if we only "cooperate" it is not enough, we must raise the level from cooperation to "ties" because ties are strategic, have an overall design, have roles, and complement each other.

The "strategic cohesion" thinking is implemented in three key directions. Bilateral cohesion: Vietnam - Laos need to strategically connect on development vision; connect space and development infrastructure, economic corridors, logistics, energy, green transformation, digital transformation. Connecting sub-regions - especially the three Indochinese countries: the closer the Vietnam - Laos relationship, the more sustainable the solidarity of the three Indochinese countries; the more united the three Indochinese countries, the more unified and strong the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Connecting regionally and internationally: Vietnam and Laos are both in ASEAN, participating in many sub-regional, regional and international cooperation mechanisms, so we need to promote complementary strengths, we not only strengthen ourselves, but also contribute to making ASEAN stronger, the Southeast Asian region more stable and developed.

General Secretary To Lam affirmed that solidarity and closeness are the source of Vietnam - Laos relations. Without that source of cohesion, we would just be two neighboring countries "standing side by side". With the "solidarity" glue, we become two nations "standing together" in the stages of development.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party on the afternoon of December 2, 2025. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

In an atmosphere of comradeship, brotherhood, and strategic trust, during the meetings, the two sides highly agreed on consolidating and further enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation in key areas: politics, defense - security, economy, education, culture and people-to-people exchange. The Lao General Secretary and President thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for always giving Laos great support and assistance in the cause of national defense and construction; emphasizing the great achievements that the Vietnamese people have achieved in the renovation process and constantly improving their position and prestige in the international arena, which have brought the Lao Party, State and people valuable experiences in successfully carrying out the tasks of national defense and construction.

During the visit, on behalf of the Lao Party and State, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith presented the National Gold Medal to General Secretary To Lam, recognizing the noble recognition of the Lao Party, State and people for his contributions to fostering the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States and people of Laos and Vietnam. This is a source of great pride for the General Secretary personally and also a vivid testament to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos - a relationship that has become an exemplary symbol, lasting over time.

Marking a new step forward in the relationship between the two Parties and States, further emphasizing the special bond, trust, affection and loyalty between Vietnam and Laos, on the occasion of General Secretary To Lam's State visit to Laos, the two sides held the inauguration ceremony of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Park in the capital Vientiane. This is a symbolic project, a cultural and spiritual gift from the Party, State and people of Vietnam to the Party, State and people of Laos on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Laos's National Day and to welcome the National Congress of the two Parties. With the location of the Park in the area planned to become a major urban center of the capital Vientiane, along with the design of a modern cultural - ecological space and a landscape imbued with the national identity of the two countries, this is not only a project serving the community, but also a vivid symbol of the loyal, steadfast and rare relationship in world history, a red address, promoting revolutionary education work for young generations to learn about the close history of the two nations, thereby nurturing the responsibility to continue and promote the special tradition of solidarity between the two countries.

Madam Ngo Phuong Ly and Madam Naly Sisoulith visited the photo exhibition "Great Vietnam - Laos friendship", on the afternoon of December 2, 2025. Photo: VNA

Also within the framework of the visit, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly attended cultural exchange activities, contributing to strengthening the sentiments of the people of the two countries, serving as a meaningful cultural and artistic bridge, vividly demonstrating the strong solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and absolute trust between the two Parties, two States and two peoples.

The rich and meaningful activities during this visit will continue to consolidate and affirm the high-level common awareness between the leaders of the two countries, deepening the relationship of "Great Friendship, Special Solidarity, Comprehensive Cooperation and Strategic Engagement" between Vietnam and Laos. This is the source of solidarity, the invaluable asset that the two Parties, two States and peoples always preserve and promote for future generations, together moving forward for sustainable development and prosperity as President Ho Chi Minh once affirmed: "Vietnam - Laos, our two countries; The love is deeper than the Red River and the Mekong River".

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/nang-tam-gan-ket-chien-luoc-viet-nam-lao-20251203095514894.htm