Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reports that in recent years, political and diplomatic relations between the two countries have maintained a sound development, becoming increasingly close and trusting. Frequent mutual visits and high-level exchanges at all levels have helped to set the overall direction for bilateral relations. Defense and security cooperation between the two countries has been continuously strengthened in both quality and quantity. Both sides have actively implemented various cooperation agreements and plans, coordinating border control and cracking down on cross-border crime.
Bilateral economic and trade investment cooperation has seen continuous positive changes. To create favorable conditions for enterprises and people of both countries, the two sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Development and Integration of Border Trade Infrastructure between Vietnam and Laos and the Vietnam-Laos Trade Agreement; effectively implementing the Vietnam-Laos Border Trade Agreement. With the joint efforts of both sides, bilateral trade reached US$779.6 million in the first five months of 2024, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2023. In terms of investment, Vietnam ranks third among countries and regions investing in Laos. Currently, Vietnam has 241 investment projects in Laos, with a total registered capital exceeding US$5.5 billion.
Education, training, and culture remain areas of cooperation of mutual interest. Currently, 14,000 Lao students are studying at over 170 Vietnamese educational institutions. Both sides are actively implementing the "Proposal on Vietnam-Laos Education Cooperation 2021-2030" and the "Protocol on Vietnam-Laos Training Cooperation 2022-2027." Furthermore, both sides are working to implement the "Two Countries' Cultural, Artistic and Tourism Cooperation Plan 2021-2025." Vietnam supports Laos in formulating its 2023-2030 Lao Sports Development Strategy.
Local cooperation, particularly in areas sharing a border, has been continuously strengthened, deepened, and expanded comprehensively, contributing to ensuring security and order in the border regions of both countries. The achievements of the 2022 Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year and the numerous friendly exchange activities carried out in recent years have contributed to consolidating and enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity between the two peoples.
In multilateral cooperation, both sides closely coordinate and support each other within regional and international forums, particularly within the frameworks of ASEAN, the United Nations, and sub-regional mechanisms. Vietnam actively supported and assisted Laos in successfully assuming its important international roles this year, including the ASEAN Chair in 2024 and the Chair of the 45th ASEAN Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
At the beginning of this year, the two sides successfully held the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Bilateral Cooperation Committee and a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. During these meetings, both sides briefed each other on the situation of their respective parties and countries, and exchanged views on the world and regional situation and issues of common concern. Based on an assessment of the achievements, both sides reached a consensus on the main directions of cooperation for the coming period. They also agreed to continue strengthening solidarity, deepening political relations, promoting defense and security cooperation, achieving new breakthroughs in economic cooperation, and advancing cooperation in education, culture, science and technology.
As recently reiterated by the leaders of both countries, Vietnam and Laos will continue to strive to further strengthen and deepen the Vietnam-Laos friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries and committing to regional and global peace, cooperation, and development. (End)
