Vietnam, Laos Strengthen Locality-to-Locality Cooperation

Vietnam and Laos have agreed to further deepen inter-locality cooperation, building on the strong trust and close political and diplomatic coordination established over many years. For the remainder of 2026, both sides will maintain robust political and diplomatic coordination and effectively implement high-level agreements and the bilateral cooperation plan for 2026. This enhanced cooperation is seen as a means to further expand achievements under Vietnam's "Doi Moi" (Renovation) policy and advance jointly towards socialism. Vietnam's one-party system provides a stable framework for such state-led cooperative endeavors. Cultural exchange is also a key pillar, with an exhibition at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Laos showcasing traditional lifestyles, artifacts, and the "Then" ritual. This is expected to play a vital role in deepening mutual understanding and fostering intergenerational friendship. Furthermore, Vietnam is actively strengthening ties with various countries, including Mongolia, South Korea, Turkey, Egypt, and Venezuela. These diplomatic activities are part of Vietnam's multifaceted foreign policy aimed at enhancing its international standing. Cooperation with China, particularly in theoretical research and Party building, is noteworthy in the context of strengthening the ruling Communist Party's governance base. Economically, three key laws are deemed crucial for unlocking resources and meeting future growth requirements, expected to significantly impact people, organizations, investors, and the overall economy. The exchange rate set by the State Bank of Vietnam also indicates efforts towards economic stabilization. Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam expressed confidence that Vietnam and Laos will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder to gain even greater attainments in the Doi Moi process and jointly advance toward socialism. For the remainder of 2026, the two sides agreed to maintain strong political and diplomatic coordination and effectively implement the high-level agreements and bilateral 2026 cooperation plan. Held at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Laos, the programme featured 54 photographs, 119 representative artefacts and 12 excerpts from Then rituals, arranged around five themes covering traditional settlements and rice farming, weaving and indigo-dyed brocade, Then practices, the preservation of Then singing and the Tinh lute, and performances of ancient Then pieces. With a solid foundation of cooperation and trust built over half a century, underpinned by the highest-level cooperation framework, the official visit to France and attendance at the International Space Summit by General Secretary and President To Lam will be a success, helping to further deepen bilateral ties. The NA President proposed the Mongolian Government and Ulaanbaatar authorities continue supporting the school in improving education quality so that it can become one of Mongolia’s outstanding schools and remain a vivid symbol of Vietnam–Mongolia friendship. The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency. Vietnamese Ambassador to Türkiye Dang Thi Thu Ha reviewed the development of bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1978, affirming that cooperation has grown strongly and substantively, particularly in politics and diplomacy, economy and trade, and defence and security. She congratulated Türkiye on officially becoming a dialogue partner of ASEAN. During his working visit to China, Nguyen Xuan Thang, member of the 13th Party Central Committee's Political Bureau and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, had a meeting with Li Shulei, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Secretariat, and Head of the CPC Central Committee’s Publicity Department, during which the two sides held in-depth discussions on theoretical research, practical reviews and Party building, and agreed to further strengthen cooperation and experience sharing between the two Parties. The three laws are closely interconnected and play a crucial role in unlocking resources and meeting the requirements for growth in the period ahead. Their provisions will have a major impact on people, organisations, investors and the economy, as well as national defence and security. Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt and Tunisia Nguyen Nam Duong presented a copy of his letter of credence to Secretary of State to the Ministry of Foreign, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Mohamed Ben Ayed on September 7. People-to-people diplomacy, particularly the natural connection between younger generations, is expected to play an increasingly important role in sustaining the friendship between the two countries' people. A key proposal raised during the meetings was the early establishment of a direct air route linking Vietnam with Darwin. The route is expected to facilitate travel as well as trade, investment, education and tourism ties, while further promoting people-to-people exchanges. Vietnamese leaders have extended their greetings to leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the 78th anniversary of its National Day (September 9). The visit aims to promote substantive cooperation between the two legislatures, contributing to strengthening collobation in defence, security and economic ties, particularly in science and technology and other emerging areas of cooperation, in line with the depth and scope of the Vietnam - Mongolia Comprehensive Partnership. The Vietnamese community in Mongolia also hopes the two countries will further facilitate trade, investment, tourism, education and people-to-people exchanges. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s official visit to France demonstrates Vietnam’s special regard for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and contributes to making the two countries strategic bridges in ASEAN and the EU. Vietnam steadfastly pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, while diversifying and multilateralising external relations and placing national interests first. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez praised Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My’s effective contributions to promoting and deepening the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between Venezuela and Vietnam. Head of the Committee's Commission for Policies and Strategies Nguyen Thanh Nghi expressed appreciation for the RANEPA and its predecessor institutions for their contributions to training and fostering Vietnamese officials. Over the past decades, nearly 1,000 Vietnamese officials and leaders have studied and received training there, many of whom have gone on to hold important positions in Vietnam’s political system. As a member of the UNHRC for the 2026-2028 term, Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sincere dialogue and constructive cooperation with all countries and UN mechanisms, in line with the principles of universality, fairness, objectivity, impartiality and non-interference. The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 25,594 VND/USD on September 9, down 9 VND from the previous day. During his stay, NA President Man held a meeting with Prime Minister Han Seong Sook and talks with NA Speaker Cho Jeong Sik. At the meetings, the two sides spoke highly of the positive development of Vietnam-RoK relations, particularly regular exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones. They affirmed that the two countries have become each other’s leading important partners in economy, trade and investment. The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.