Welcoming Lieutenant General Vongsone Inpanphim, President Luong Cuong affirmed that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos hold vital significance for the cause of building and defending the homeland of each country; they are fundamental principles for the existence and development of both nations.

The President emphasized that Vietnam always remembers the sincere and profound support of Laos during the struggle to protect the homeland in the past and in the current cause of building and defending the country; Vietnam will join Laos in firmly safeguarding the revolutionary achievements for peace, stability, and development of both peoples.

Expressing his honor to be received by the President, Lieutenant General Vongsone Inpanphim said this is his first foreign visit since assuming the position of Chief of the General Political Department of the Lao People’s Army, aimed at implementing the cooperation plan between the two General Political Departments and Ministries of National Defence. He sent warm regards from the Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and other senior Lao leaders to Party General Secretary To Lam and senior Vietnamese leaders.

Highlighting the significance of the visit amid the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lieutenant General Vongsone Inpanphim briefed the President on the results of the talks between the chiefs of the General Political Departments of the Vietnamese and Lao people’s armies.

The two general political departments reviewed and evaluated their cooperation activities so far, especially in Party work and political affairs, with both sides fully implementing the contents of the signed Memorandum of Understanding. They also agreed on directions and tasks for the upcoming period. The Lao delegation also worked at the Political Academy of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence.

Regarding the 2025-2026 cooperation plan, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and general political departments. This includes mutual assistance in Party work, political affairs, cadre training, and the search, recovery, and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who sacrificed in Laos.

Underlining defence cooperation as one of the important pillars in Vietnam-Laos bilateral relations, described as “special of the special” in cooperation between the two countries, the Vietnamese State leader applauded the comprehensive results of cooperation between the two defence ministries in general, and the two general political departments in particular.

These include coordination and advisory roles in military and defense work, effectively implementing the shared understanding of senior leaders on military and defense missions; consulting and sharing experience on building a strong army in all aspects; cadre training; maintaining effective mechanisms for exchanges, dialogues, and friendship links, especially border defense exchanges; cooperation in searching and repatriating the remains of martyrs, volunteer soldiers, and Vietnamese experts who sacrificed in Laos.

The President requested that in the coming time, the armed forces of the two countries bolster cooperation and exchange experiences in building a politically and ideologically strong army; focus on consolidating and safeguarding the ideological foundation of the Party; firmly maintain the Party’s absolute and direct leadership over the People’s Army in all aspects; improve the role, efficiency, and effectiveness of Party work and political affairs in all cooperation programs and projects between the two militaries; strengthen effective propaganda and education on the history, significance, and importance of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, especially on the occasion of major events of both countries and armies; and pay greater attention to cooperation in training human resources.

On this occasion, the President sincerely thanked the Party, Government, Army, and people of Laos for their support and assistance in facilitating the search, recovery, and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed in Laos, thereby fulfilling the heartfelt wishes of the families and relatives of the martyrs, and respecting Vietnamese customs and traditions towards the deceased.

Expressing deep gratitude to the Party, State, Army, and people of Vietnam for their continued support and assistance to the Lao State and People’s Army, Lieutenant General Vongsone Inpanphim hoped to continue receiving the President’s attention and guidance in the future regarding the armies and general political departments of both countries.

Lieutenant General Vongsone Inpanphim affirmed that under any circumstances, the Lao People’s Army will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the Vietnamese People’s Army to protect and build their countries; nurture the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

Vietnam, Laos strengthen defence ties with Lt. General Vongsone Inpanphim’s official visit

VOV.VN - Lieutenant General Vongsone Inpanphim, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Chairman of the General Political Department of the Lao People's Army, and his spouse paid an official visit to Vietnam from August 10-14.

Vietnam, Laos military leaders agree on closer cooperation in training, border security

VOV.VN - Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Hien, Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, paid a courtesy call on Lao Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Khamliang Outhakaysone on the morning of July 10 as part of a Vietnamese delegation accompanying Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung on his official visit