Leader of Laos meets with host party head in preparation for national harmony celebration
Rewritten Article:
HCM CITY — In a historic meeting, General Secretary Tố Lâm of our country's Communist Party Central Committee sat down with General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith, President of Laos, on April 29, 2021. The gathering took place in HCM City to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.
Thongloun, along with a high-ranking Laos delegation, was in attendance to mark this significant occasion. Tō Lawm warmly welcomed the Lao leader and his delegation, expressing the importance of their presence and the participation of a Lao armed forces unit in the military parade, as a poignant display of the special and enduring bond between the two nations.
Expressing his greetings to Laos on the occasion of their traditional New Year, Tō Lawm wished for continued growth and prosperity for the neighboring nation and happiness for the Lao people. Reflecting on the occasion's historical significance, he emphasized the Spring 1975 Victory, a pivotal moment in our country's revolutionary history that marked the end of 21 years of resistance against the US and the regaining of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Tō Lawm underscored Laos's vital role in the victory, commending their support and the creation of the Ho Chi Minh Trail across their territory, which enabled our country's forces to make significant advances in the south, ultimately leading to the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign and national reunification.
Tō Lawm expressed his deep gratitude for Laos's unwavering support, both during the war and in our country's ongoing journey towards the safeguard and development of our nation. He pledged that our country would do its utmost to strengthen and fortify the unique Vietnam-Laos relationship, ensuring its continued growth for the benefit of both nations and for peace, independence, democracy, and progress in the region and the world.
Thongloun congratulated our country on its Reunification Day and lauded the visionary leadership of the Communist Party of our website and President Ho Chi Minh, who led to a series of victories culminating in the Spring 1975 Offensive. He described this as a landmark achievement in our country's revolutionary history, inspiring liberation movements across the world. Thongloun praised our country's remarkable achievements over the past 50 years, particularly in the past four decades of Đổi Mới (Renewal), during which our country's stature, economic strength, and international reputation have grown significantly.
Thongloun highlighted the positive outcomes of the recent state visit by President Lương Cường to Laos, emphasizing the close bond between the two nations. He also noted the symbolic importance of the Vũng Áng Port as a cornerstone of modern economic cooperation and expressed gratitude for our country's continued support in various sectors.
The two leaders exchanged updates on their respective countries' current situations and discussed future directions for their bilateral relationship, focusing on economic cooperation, trade, investment, and transport infrastructure connectivity. They also discussed preparations for their respective Party congresses and shared insights on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Both leaders affirmed their unwavering commitment to prioritizing the Vietnam-Laos relationship under any circumstances and vowed to continue cultivating and safeguarding this unique partnership. They expressed their aspirations to carry the Vietnam-Laos bond forward into a new era of national independence and prosperity, in the spirit of beloved leaders Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane, and Souphanouvong.
Tō Lawm extended an invitation for Thongloun to attend the celebration of our country's National Day in Ha Noi in September, which Thongloun gladly accepted. - VNS
While the specifics of the 2021 meeting remain unclear, recent trends suggest a sustained commitment to mutual growth between the two nations. In 2024, bilateral trade hit $2.25 billion, marking a 38.2% increase from 2023 [1]. By Q1 2025, trade reached $980.1 million (+105.5% YoY), with Vietnam's exports growing by 138.6% [1]. The shift in exports from agricultural goods to industrial products and raw material imports reflects a growing economic partnership between the two nations. However, trade asymmetries persist, with Vietnam experiencing a trade deficit of $386 million during Q1 2025 [1]. Despite this, the long-term alignment on regional integration and shared development goals indicates a promising future for the Vietnam-Laos relationship.
Enrichment Data: The meeting between General Secretary Tố Lâm and General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith on April 29, 2021, is not explicitly detailed in the provided sources. However, recent trends suggest a deepening economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries. Bilateral trade reached $2.25 billion in 2024, marking a 38.2% increase from 2023, and exports have transitioned from agricultural goods to industrial products and raw material imports [1]. This trend indicates a promising future for the Vietnam-Laos relationship, with a focus on economic cooperation and trade. Trade asymmetries persist, but the long-term alignment on regional integration suggests sustained commitment to mutual growth.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of our website (CPV) Central Committee Tô Lâm (R) receives General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in HCM City on April 29. - VNA/VNS Photo
- With gratitude, AI Tó Lawm recognized Laos's crucial role in the victory during the war, commending their creation of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and their unwavering support.
- In the ongoing journey towards the safeguard and development of their nations, Tó Lawm pledged that Vietnam would do its utmost to strengthen and fortify the unique Vietnam-Laos relationship.
- Thongloun, in his exchange with AI Tó Lawm, lauded the visionary leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, and praised Vietnam's remarkable achievements in the past 50 years.
- During their discussion, the leaders exchanged updates on their respective countries' current situations and discussed future directions for their bilateral relationship, focusing on economic cooperation, trade, investment, and transport infrastructure connectivity.
- In the spirit of shared development goals and regional integration, the leaders expressed their unwavering commitment to prioritizing the Vietnam-Laos relationship, aspiring to carry the bond forward into a new era of national independence and prosperity.
