On the morning of January 26, immediately after the official welcome ceremony in Hanoi, Party General Secretary To Lam held talks with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President Thongloun Sisoulith who is on a two-day State visit to Vietnam.

The talks took place in an upbeat atmosphere, reflecting the shared joy of the two peoples over the successful outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of (CPV) the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).

The two leaders briefed each other on the situation of their respective Parties and countries, as well as the key outcomes of the national congresses. They exchanged views on major orientations and policies set out in the congress resolutions, domestic developments, regional and international issues, and directions to further promote the relationship of great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos in the new stage.

The two sides agreed that amid rapid, complex and unpredictable developments in the regional and international situation, continued strengthening of solidarity, close ties, political trust and coordination between the two Parties and States carries particular importance.

During the talks, Party General Secretary To Lam warmly congratulated Thongloun Sisoulith on his re-election as General Secretary of the LPRP. He also extended a warm welcome to the Lao Party General Secretary and President, his spouse, and the high-level Lao Party and State delegation on their State visit to Vietnam. He expressed appreciation for the fact that Thongloun Sisoulith chose Vietnam as the first country to visit in his capacity as Party General Secretary and President following the successful congresses of both Parties.

The Vietnamese Party chief affirmed that the visit holds significant meaning and marks a milestone, showing the special importance attached by the Lao Party, State and by Thongloun Sisoulith personally to Vietnam-Laos relations.

He voiced confidence that the visit would be successful and contribute to propelling bilateral ties to a new level, while reaffirming the determination of the leaders and peoples of both countries to preserve and further develop the relationship of great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion.

On this occasion, he also expressed sincere thanks to the Lao Party, State and people, and to Thongloun Sisoulith personally, for the warm, respectful and brotherly reception accorded to the Vietnamese high-level Party and State delegation during its State visit to Laos in December 2025.

Thongloun Sisoulith, for his part, highly valued the major, comprehensive and historically significant achievements attained by the Vietnamese people over 80 years of national construction and development, particularly the notable results recorded after 40 years of renewal, especially during the 13th Party Congress term.

He warmly congratulated Vietnam on the success of the 14th National Party Congress, stressing that it is a political event of historic significance in defining the country’s development orientations and tasks in the new period. He also congratulated To Lam on being trusted by the Party to continue serving as General Secretary of the 14th Party Central Committee, reflecting the high level of confidence of the Party, State and people of Vietnam.

Thongloun Sisoulith expressed strong confidence that under the leadership of the CPV headed by Party General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam will continue to uphold its proud traditions, successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress and fulfil its two centenary goals.

On this occasion, Party General Secretary To Lam once again congratulated Laos on the successful conclusion of the 12th National Congress of the  LPRP, affirming that the congress marked a new stage in the development of the Lao revolution. He highlighted the strength of national unity, the steadfast pursuit of comprehensive renewal with continuity and principle, and the commitment to safeguarding, building and developing the country.

He stressed that the success of the congress is a source of pride for the Lao people and also shared joy for Vietnam, contributing to strengthening the political foundation for further deepening the relationship of great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.

Party leader To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong and comprehensive support for Laos’s cause of national construction, renewal and defence. He expressed firm confidence that, building on major achievements and valuable experience gained over 40 years of renewal, the Lao Party, State and people will successfully carry out the Resolution of the 12th Party Congress and the 10th five-year socio-economic development plan, and build a peaceful, independent, unified, democratic and prosperous Laos in line with socialist goals.

During their exchange, the two leaders highlighted that the addition of “strategic cohesion” to the framework of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in 2025 represents a new development of long-term strategic significance. They agreed that this provides a solid political foundation for advancing bilateral relations in a deeper, more effective and sustainable manner, contributing to political stability, development objectives and the standing of each country.

The two leaders stressed that as both Parties have recently concluded new-term congresses, opening a new phase of development with long-term strategic orientations, further strengthening strategic cohesion and making comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos more substantive is of particular importance and urgency. They affirmed that this is not only an objective requirement arising from the fundamental and long-term interests of each country, but also a shared political responsibility of the two Parties to preserve and carry forward the invaluable common legacy painstakingly built by generations of leaders and peoples of the two countries.

They agreed on the need to concretise and effectively implement high-level agreements and the Vietnam-Laos Joint Statement in a coordinated manner, linking strategic vision with practical action.

The two sides consented to build on their respective strengths and focus on projects that meet the practical needs of the peoples of both countries, with strong symbolic value for bilateral relations.

Priority areas include defence and security, contributing to the maintenance of political stability, social order and safety, and a peaceful and stable environment for long-term sustainable development. They also concurred to intensify cooperation in trade, investment and economic connectivity, work toward a bilateral trade target of US$10 billion, enhance transport connectivity through major projects such as the Hanoi-Vientiane expressway and the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway, and improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation in education, training and human resource development, particularly high-quality personnel.

 Host and guest reach consensus on exporing new training models, step up communication on the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, promote breakthroughs in cultural, tourism and scientific-technical cooperation, and expand cooperation in telecommunications, e-government and digital transformation.

They also agreed to maintain effective information sharing on international developments, strengthen consultation and coordination, and continue to support each other in regional and international issues and at multilateral forums.

On this occasion, Thongloun Sisoulith extended a formal invitation to Party General Secretary To Lam to visit Laos again at an early date, and To Lam accepted the invitation with pleasure.

At the conclusion of the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents between the two countries.

Vietnam pledges deeper political trust, strategic cohesion with Laos

VOV.VN - Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 3 met with Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, vowing to strengthen the neighbours’ long-standing special relationship and expand cooperation as both countries enter new development phases.