Vietnamese President Luong Cuong held talks with General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith right after an official welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese State leader in Vientiane on April 24.

The host leader warmly welcomed President Luong Cuong and highlighted the significance of his first visit to Laos in his new capacity, affirming the importance that the Vietnamese Party, State and President Luong Cuong personally attach to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized that the visit marks an important milestone as a contribution to deepening the bilateral relationship in a practical and effective manner, serving the cause of renovation, national development and defence in each country.

The Lao leader conveyed his greetings to General Secretary To Lam and other high-ranking leaders of Vietnam; congratulated Vietnam on its remarkable and comprehensive achievements in recent times; and expressed his impression of Vietnam’s sustained high economic growth, improved living standards, enhanced international standing, and positive outcomes in the fight against corruption and the streamlining of the administrative system from central to local levels. He affirmed Laos’ readiness to work closely with President Luong Cuong and other senior Vietnamese leaders to further promote the unique bilateral relationship between the two nations.

President Luong Cuong sincerely thanked General Secretary, President Thongloun Sisoulith, senior leaders of the Lao Party and State, and the Lao people for the warm, sincere, and heartfelt reception extended to the Vietnamese delegation, which reflected the special bond of comradeship and brotherhood.

He conveyed New Year greetings for Bunpimay 2025 from General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Thongloun Sisoulith, other senior leaders, and all Lao officials, Party members and people. He reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always remember the profound camaraderie and sincere, wholehearted support given by the Lao Party, State and people to the Vietnamese revolution.

The two leaders took time to recall the mutual support and assistance between the two countries and their peoples during the struggle for national independence in the past as well as in the current cause of national construction and development. They stressed that such ties are invaluable assets cultivated by previous generations and will continue to be treasured, preserved and further promoted by future generations.

They also briefed each other on the socio-economic situation in their respective countries. Both leaders emphasized that 2025 is a particularly important year for the two Parties, States and peoples as they prepare for the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

President Luong Cuong hailed Laos’ achievements in maintaining political and social stability and noted encouraging signs in its economic recovery and improved living conditions for its people. He reaffirmed Vietnam's continued support for Laos in international integration and in building an independent and self-reliant economy.

President Thongloun Sisoulith said Vietnam’s comprehensive achievements are a great source of encouragement and motivation for Laos, and expressed confidence that, with Vietnam’s companionship, Laos will move forward steadily on its path of development.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive development of Vietnam-Laos relations and agreed to continue giving top priority to augmenting bilateral cooperation across all areas.

They had in-depth discussions and reached a consensus on major orientations for strengthening bilateral relations in the future. These include consolidating close and trusted political ties; maintaining regular high-level and all-level visits and exchanges; promoting people-to-people exchanges in diverse and flexible forms; and effectively implementing high-level agreements, strategic cooperation frameworks, and the outcomes of recent meetings between the two Politburos and General Secretaries, as well as the 47th session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

They also consented to step up theoretical exchanges between the two Parties, support preparations for the national congresses of each Party, and share experience in administrative reform and streamlining of apparatus. Both sides underlined the importance of promoting communication and education on the special Vietnam-Laos relationship among officials, Party members and people of all walks of life, especially the younger generations.

The two leaders agreed on the need for breakthrough and innovative approaches to improve cooperation efficiency in economics, culture, and science and technology, while maximizing each country’s potential and strengths. They highlighted the importance of stronger connectivity in infrastructure, finance, budget and tourism, aiming to raise bilateral trade turnover to US$5 billion in the coming years, and promoting the exchange of macroeconomic management experiences.

The two sides expressed satisfaction that, thanks to high determination and efforts, several major projects have been launched recently, creating new momentum for bilateral cooperation. Among them, the construction of Wharf No. 3 at Vung Ang Port is expected to mark a significant step forward in the new development phase.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in education and training, with priority given to helping Laos improve human resource quality to meet the requirements of its new development stage. Both sides also vowed to take advantage of advances in science and technology, intensify mutual promotion of culture, land and people, and disseminate each country’s development achievements through media outlets. Cooperation among localities, especially border provinces, will be further strengthened.

On multilateral cooperation, the two leaders agreed to enhance information exchange, consultation, and close coordination to effectively support each other, while upholding ASEAN’s centrality and ramping up cooperation in ASEAN-led mechanisms and other important international platforms. They reaffirmed their commitment to working together with other countries and international organizations to manage, develop, and sustainably use the Mekong River’s water resources, thereby contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and beyond.

Both sides pledged to coordinate closely in carrying out the outcomes of the recent meeting of the three Party leaders of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia (held on February 22, 2025), and to continue nurturing the traditional friendship among the three Parties and countries.

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong announced that the Vietnamese Party, State and people will gift the Lao Party, State and people a district-level hospital project in Vientiane province, worth US$3 million. He proposed that both sides coordinate to promptly carry out and complete the project by 2026, as a meaningful contribution to the successful outcome of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Following the talks, President Luong Cuong and President Thongloun Sisoulith witnessed the signing of cooperation documents and the granting of licenses.

That evening, before the Lao leader hosted a solemn banquet, the two leaders joined a traditional Lao wrist-tying ceremony to wish for good fortune at the start of the Lao New Year, Bunpimay. This ritual, deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Land of a Million Elephants, indicates the Lao people's hospitality and symbolizes the wish for good luck and blessings for those receiving the string.

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