Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – At the invitation of Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos, General Secretary To Lam, accompanied by his wife and a high-level delegation, paid a state visit to Laos from December 1st to 2nd. This was his first visit to Laos since taking office, with the main purpose of celebrating the 50th anniversary of Laos's founding and deepening friendly cooperation between the two countries. On the morning of December 1st, To Lam and his delegation arrived in Vientiane, where they were warmly welcomed by President Thongloun Sisoulith.
Following the welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, the two leaders jointly witnessed the exchange of 12 bilateral cooperation documents, setting the direction for future cooperation. These documents cover multiple areas, including the 2026 Defense and Security Cooperation Plan, the Strategic Border Road Construction Agreement; a Memorandum of Understanding on Industry and Commerce to support supply chains; and cooperation agreements between the Ministries of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Banks of both countries for 2026-2030; as well as inter-term cooperation plans between the Party Office and the Foreign Affairs Committee, Thanh Hoa Province and Houaphan Province, and cooperation documents on national television.
President Thongloun presented To Lam with the National Gold Medal on the spot, recognizing his contributions to Vietnam-Laos relations. To Lin congratulated Laos on its 50th anniversary of independence and pledged to continue deepening the special relationship between the two countries. Both sides emphasized the strong political trust between the two nations and the steady expansion of trade and investment—bilateral trade is projected to reach nearly US$3 billion by early 2025, with a long-term target of US$5 billion. Vietnam is a major source of investment for Laos, and the recent UNESCO inscription of Laos's Hsin Nam Nhat National Park on the World Heritage List creates a cross-border heritage site with Vietnam's Phong Nga-Ke Bang National Park, becoming a new highlight of cultural cooperation.
On the afternoon of December 1st, To Lin met with senior Lao party and government officials, faculty, and students at the National Institute of Politics and Public Administration in Vientiane, reviewing the friendship between the two countries and outlining Vietnam's policy direction. He then met with Lao National Assembly President Saysomphone Phomvihane and Prime Minister Somsay Siphandone, reaffirming the goals of peace, trade, and cultural cooperation.
On December 2nd, To Lin will attend the celebrations for Laos's 50th anniversary of independence and, together with Thongloun Sisoulith, inaugurate the Lao-Vietnamese Friendship Park in Xaythany District. During his visit, he will also meet with former Lao leaders and co-chair a meeting of the Politburo of both countries with Thongloun Sisoulith to plan future strategic cooperation and ensure that cooperative projects benefit both sides. This visit demonstrates the high importance Vietnam and Laos attach to mutual cooperation and their firm commitment to common development.
