Vietnam's Deputy PM Visits Laos to Strengthen Bilateral Ties and Advance Strategic Cooperation

Laos and Vietnam have affirmed the advancement of high-level agreements and major bilateral projects, aiming to further strengthen the "great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic partnership" between the two nations, during the official visit of Vietnam's Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc to Laos. During his meeting with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, Pham Gia Tuc conveyed greetings from Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam and other senior Vietnamese leaders. Thongloun welcomed the visit, Pham Gia Tuc’s first to Laos in his capacity as Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, and expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s continued support. He noted the visit would help advance agreements reached between the two Politburos and the outcomes of the 48th Meeting of the Lao-Vietnam Joint Commission, while also contributing to preparations for the planned official visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung to Laos. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in politics, national defence and security, trade, investment, and education, as well as enhancing economic connectivity through strategic infrastructure projects. Major joint projects, including the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway, Vientiane-Vung Ang Railway, and oil pipeline projects, were highlighted. Pham Gia Tuc briefed Thongloun on the outcomes of his earlier talks with Lao Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to working closely with Laos to implement high-level agreements and advance key projects according to their planned timelines. In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone welcomed Pham Gia Tuc and his delegation, describing the visit as an expression of the close ties, mutual trust, and special relationship between the two Parties, States, and peoples. Sonexay highlighted the importance of reviewing the implementation of high-level agreements and the outcomes of the 48th Joint Commission Meeting during the first nine months of 2026, while setting priorities for bilateral cooperation during the final quarter of the year. The two sides also exchanged information on domestic developments and noted continued progress in bilateral relations following the elevation of the two countries’ great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation to a strategic partnership. Concrete progress was highlighted in strategic cooperation projects, including the Ministry of Public Security Command Center and the Lao National Population Management and Identity Card Database Project. The leaders agreed to coordinate closely to advance major connectivity and economic projects, including the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway, Lao-Vietnam Railway, Potash Salt Mining Project in Khammouane Province, and oil pipeline project. They also agreed to strengthen coordination within bilateral and multilateral frameworks and jointly prepare for the Lao-Vietnam Friendship Year 2027, which will mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries. Pham Gia Tuc expressed appreciation for the warm reception from the Lao Party and State leadership and reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to implementing bilateral agreements and promoting cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples. On September 21, 2026, Pham Gia Tuc also visited the Lao National Population Database and Citizen Identification Card Project and the Ministry of Public Security’s Command Center construction project in Vientiane. Earlier on the same day, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Permanent Member of the Government Saleumxay Kommasith held talks with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Permanent Member of the Government Pham Gia Tuc in Vientiane, reviewing bilateral cooperation during the first nine months of the year and discussing priorities for the remaining months.