Vietnamese NA Chairman Meets Lao Top Leader, Reinforcing Special Relations

On August 9, 2026, in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, Mr. Tran Thanh Man, Politburo member and Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, held a meeting with Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. During the meeting, both sides agreed to further strengthen the "special relations" between the two countries. In particular, the direction of promoting cooperation in areas such as party theory research, political education, and personnel training was confirmed. Vietnam and Laos, as socialist countries, share a common ideology and have deep historical ties as friendly nations. Bilateral relations are closely coordinated across a wide range of fields, including politics, economy, security, and culture, and in recent years, strategic partnerships have been deepened. This meeting is considered to have reaffirmed the political and ideological cooperation between the two countries and aimed at further developing future cooperative relations. Exchanges between political parties under Vietnam's one-party system are considered extremely important from the perspective of maintaining domestic political stability and socialist orientation. Furthermore, strengthening relations with Laos can also be viewed in a geopolitical context of maintaining and expanding Vietnam's influence in the region. Chairman Tran Thanh Man is also scheduled to hold a separate meeting with Mr. Saysomphone Phomvihane, Chairman of the National Assembly of Laos.