The loyal and pure relationship between Vietnam and Laos was founded by President Ho Chi Minh , President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and has been diligently nurtured by successive generations of leaders and people of both countries. With the spirit of "sharing every grain of rice and every stalk of vegetable," Vietnam and Laos have always supported and assisted each other in the struggle for national liberation, as well as in the protection, construction, and development of their respective nations. The significant achievements of Vietnam have been made with the companionship of its brotherly country, Laos, and this relationship is also a great source of encouragement for Laos's construction and development.
Through regular exchanges of delegations and high-level contacts, the Vietnam-Laos relationship has become increasingly close and trustworthy. The relationship between the two countries has continued to develop well in recent times. Political relations play a guiding role in the overall relationship between the two countries. Both sides have successfully organized diplomatic activities between high-level leaders of the two Parties and States; and signed cooperation documents in many important fields. Defense and security cooperation continues to be strengthened, becoming increasingly close and effective. Both sides have coordinated well in implementing the Protocol on Cooperation for the period 2020-2024 and the 2024 Cooperation Plan on defense and security.
Economic , trade, and investment cooperation has been strongly promoted. Bilateral trade turnover in the first seven months of 2024 reached US$1.1 billion, an increase of 16.7% compared to the same period in 2023. Cooperation in areas such as education and training, health, culture, and people-to-people exchanges continues to yield positive results. Many cultural, artistic, and sports exchange activities organized by both sides contribute to strengthening solidarity and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.
The consistent policy of both countries is to always value and give the highest priority to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. This has been repeatedly affirmed by the leaders of the Party and State of both countries. Along with exchanging views on the achievements of cooperation, both sides also outlined directions for cooperation in the new phase to further enhance the Vietnam-Laos relationship in a more substantive and effective manner.
Looking ahead, both sides agreed to focus on implementing high-level cooperation agreements, such as the Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos for the period 2021-2025 and the Strategic Cooperation Agreement between Vietnam and Laos for the period 2021-2030…
Both sides also affirmed their commitment to maintaining high-level and other visits and contacts, and enhancing the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They emphasized the importance of strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation to bring even more tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
Regarding international and regional issues of common concern, both sides agreed that, in the context of the current complex developments in the world and the region, it is even more necessary for both sides to promote the tradition of close coordination and mutual support in multilateral organizations and forums, especially the United Nations, ASEAN, and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.
Vietnam reaffirms its support and assistance to Laos in successfully fulfilling its responsibilities as ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024, thereby contributing to maintaining the unity and central role of the Association, and enhancing Laos's role and position in the region and the world.
The achievements of cooperation between the two countries in all fields have become an important driving force in maintaining political stability, socio-economic development, and ensuring national defense and security in each country. The great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos are increasingly deepening, also making a positive contribution to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
