Vietnam, Laos Deepen Local Cooperation

Vietnam and Laos have agreed to further deepen cooperation at the local level between the two countries. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc suggested expanding cooperation in areas such as crop cultivation, livestock farming, forestry, irrigation, water resource management, environmental protection, and the development of processing value chains aimed at increasing the value of mineral resources in Laos, as well as promoting agricultural trade. The two countries highlighted the Border Defence Friendship Exchange as a meaningful cooperation mechanism that has received strong support from senior leaders, ministries, local authorities, and people in both nations. In particular, the sister village relationship between Thuy Phong village in Kim Bang commune, Nghe An province, and Xop Tuong village in Nam On commune, Xaychamphone district, Bolikhamxay province of Laos, over the past decade, has been established as a model for fostering a shared border of peace, friendship, and cooperation. Vietnam's economy has surpassed a GDP of over US$514 billion, with per capita GDP exceeding US$5,026 annually. Alongside economic achievements, Vietnam has also made strides in infrastructure development, poverty reduction, human development, and global integration. The country's GDP now surpasses 514 billion USD, with per capita GDP exceeding 5,026 USD a year. Alongside economic gains, Vietnam has also made strides in infrastructure development, poverty reduction, human development and global integration. The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency. Tri affirmed that Vietnam consistently regards strengthening its Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership with China as a top priority. The top leader said Vietnam must maintain core capabilities in vessel design, building, repair, conversion and technical maintenance to ensure resilience against supply-chain disruptions, market volatility and emergencies. The former Chairman and former Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the former Bac Giang province for the 2016–2021 tenure have received warnings for violations and shortcomings in the performance of their duties. The chief legislator stressed the need to clearly identify target groups and tailor law education accordingly, while promoting community-based approaches and strengthening the role of grassroots cultural institutions. To achieve this year's targets, the Government leader called on the provincial Party Committee to renew its mindset, leadership and governance methods, remain focused on development goals, and maximise the province's untapped potential and competitive advantages. Thanh said the elevation of Vietnam–France relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership ushered in a new phase of development in the bilateral ties, reflecting deepening political trust and a shared commitment to building a peaceful, cooperative and sustainable future. Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu called for stronger efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability, control inflation, ensure energy and data security, accelerate power projects, respond to extreme weather and natural disasters, intensify the fight against smuggling, counterfeit goods and cybercrime, and strengthen policy communication to build social consensus and counter hostile and distorted information. Both sides noted that since the fifth meeting, sectoral cooperation has continued to deepen and produce concrete results despite global headwinds and a challenging international economic backdrop. PM Le Minh Hung's meeting with the Lao Cai provincial Party Committee's Standing Board, the findings of the 2026 economic census, and October 15 designated as Vietnam Digital Citizen Day are among news highlights on July 14. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stressed that achieving double-digit growth will require innovative thinking, greater initiative and creativity, turning border advantages and local strengths into development resources while acting decisively to meet growth targets. Addressing the fifth session of the 17th Hanoi People's Council for the 2026–2031 term, Politburo member, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien urged deputies to demonstrate the highest sense of responsibility to ensure that decisions adopted by the capital city are effectively implemented. Combating waste today is not simply about preventing losses, but about preserving and making full use of opportunities for growth, generating new resources and fresh momentum to enable the country to develop more rapidly and sustainably. According to the proposal, the SBV law amendments would codify existing foreign exchange rules by incorporating Article 22 of the Foreign Exchange Ordinance into law. The draft also revises the central bank’s special financial mechanism, shifting authority over its financial management regulations from the Prime Minister to the Government. Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh expressed his belief that relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Algeria's ruling National Liberation Front will continue to be strengthened, serving as an important political foundation for fostering more substantive and effective bilateral ties. Timor-Leste's Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, praised Vietnam's impressive socio-economic achievements and its consistent support for Timor-Leste's regional and international integration including its accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and ASEAN. The top leader's meeting with the Police Department of Prison, Correctional Institution and Juvenile Reformatory Management, PM Le Minh Hung's reception for US Ambassador to Vietnam Jennifer Wicks, and Deputy PM and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang's official visit to Japan are among news highlights on July 14. The survey aimed to review the implementation of the two countries’ road transport agreement and assess conditions for launching international cross-border road transport through the Tan Nam–Meun Chey border gate pair. The Government leader reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently regards the US as one of its most important partners, supports the US playing a constructive role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world, and wishes to elevate the Vietnam–US comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level for the benefit of the two countries' people. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.