Thongloun Sisoulith is the first foreign head of state to visit Vietnam in 2026. He is also the first foreign leader received by Party General Secretary To Lam in his capacity as General Secretary of the 14th-tenure Party Central Committee.

The State visit takes place as the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) have just successfully held their respective national congresses in January 2026.

The two sides had earlier agreed to deepen the substance of Vietnam–Laos relations to a new level, defined as a relationship of “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion,” during Party General Secretary To Lam’s State visit to Laos in December 2025.

According to Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Erthavanh, the visit by Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith carries special and profound significance. It is a vivid demonstration of the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between Laos and Vietnam- a relationship described as exemplary, steadfast and rare in international relations.

The ambassador said the visit is not only intended to personally convey congratulations on the major successes of the 14th National Party Congress, but also to demonstrate the high level of political trust and the long-term strategic commitment between the two Parties, States and peoples.

He added that the choice of Vietnam as Thongloun Sisoulith’s first overseas destination following the 12th National Congress of the LPRP underscores Laos’s consistent view of Vietnam as a top priority in its foreign policy.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam said that during the visit, senior leaders of the two Parties and States are expected to hold in-depth discussions to concretise and realize the concept of “ strategic cohesion ” across key pillars of bilateral ties, including politics and foreign affairs, defence and security, the economy, culture and education, as well as bilateral cooperation programmes and projects.

He noted that as both countries have just concluded their Party congresses, emphasising and advancing “strategic cohesion” is of particular importance, as it represents the process of translating congress resolutions into action through close, coordinated and effective cooperation between the two Parties and States.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam said the visit will further clarify, concretise and synchronously advance the substance of “strategic cohesion ” in Vietnam-Laos relations across all areas, contributing to deeper, more effective and sustainable development of the two countries’ great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

Laos places top priority on relations with Vietnam, says ambassador

VOV.VN - The State visit to Vietnam by Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith on January 26–27, 2026 is expected to inject new momentum into bilateral cooperation and further deepen the strategic relationship between the two countries, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Erthavanh.

Top Lao leader’s State visit to help realise Vietnam–Laos strategic cohesion

VOV.VN - The State visit to Vietnam by Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse on January 26–27, 2026 is seen as an important milestone that will help operationalise and further deepen the strategic cohesion within the special Vietnam–Laos relationship.