Prime Minister confirms utmost importance assigned to ongoing solidarity efforts targeted at Laos.
Rewritten Article:
Ho Chi Minh City - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave a heartfelt shout-out to the unique bond between Vietnam and Laos in a meeting with the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, on April 29.
Thongloun's visit came to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975-2025) and the inauguration of Wharf No. 3 at the Lao-Vietnam International Port in the Vung Ang Economic Zone.
PM Chinh expressed deep gratitude for the wholehearted support from the Lao Party, State, and people throughout the past struggle for national independence and the present cause of national construction and development. He also pledged Vietnam’s firm, comprehensive support for Laos' national defense, construction, reform, and development.
Chinh was pleased with the growing Vietnam-Laos relationship, with numerous positive strides seen across various fields in recent times. Thongloun agreed, praising the historic Milestone of Spring 1975 as a vital turning point that paved the way for the Lao army and people to achieve complete victory later that year.
The celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on the history of the Vietnam-Laos combat alliance and solidarity, said Thongloun. He emphasized the importance of the coordination mechanism between the two governments and the efforts of their respective ministries and localities in executing high-level agreements and treaties, as well as bilateral cooperation programs and plans.
In their discussions, the leaders agreed to further reinforce the traditional cooperation, political trust, and close ties, ensuring security and defense in both nations. They stressed the need to improve connectivity and economic links between the countries, as well as between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, with a focus on facilitating border infrastructure and trade.
The leaders touched upon the broader regional and global situations, collaboration at regional and international forums, and cooperation between ministries, agencies, and localities of the two countries. They discussed specific measures to strengthen connectivity in the sectors of transportation, energy, trade, digital transformation, and human resources.
Sustained relationships and concrete future plans dominate the recent high-level conversations between Vietnamese and Lao leaders. The two countries aim to increase bilateral trade to a remarkable $5 billion, emphasizing a targeted 10–15% boost in 2025 [3][5]. They've also set their sights on major infrastructure projects, such as the Hanoi-Vientiane Expressway and Vientiane-Vung Ang Railway [5].
At the meeting between Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and 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
Expanding cooperation beyond traditional sectors, they plan to focus on energy, transport, and cross-border trade facilitation [1][5] while fostering socio-cultural ties through enhanced training programs, medical partnerships, and joint campaigns educating younger generations about their shared history [3][5]. Regional diplomacy is also on the agenda, with both nations coordinating positions on global issues and maintaining ASEAN solidarity [5].
The discussed priorities align with Vietnam’s broader governmental agenda under its current leadership, representing a blending of historic ties with a dose of modern economic pragmatism.
- The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, appreciates the unwavering support from the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the Lao State, and the Lao people throughout the struggle for national independence and the current phase of national construction and development.
- Thongloun Sisoulith, the General Secretary of the LPRP and President of Laos, commends the historic Milestone of Spring 1975 as a significant turning point that led to the Lao army and people's complete victory later that year.
- In their discussions, both leaders agreed to strengthen the traditional cooperation, political trust, and close ties, ensuring security and defense in both nations, while also focusing on improving connectivity and economic links between the countries.
- They plan to expand cooperation beyond traditional sectors, focusing on energy, transport, and cross-border trade facilitation, while also promoting socio-cultural ties through enhanced training programs, medical partnerships, and joint campaigns educating younger generations about their shared history.
- The aim is to increase bilateral trade to a remarkable $5 billion, with a target of a 10–15% boost in 2025 and the completion of major infrastructure projects such as the Hanoi-Vientiane Expressway and Vientiane-Vung Ang Railway.
- The leaders also acknowledge the need for regional diplomacy, coordinating positions on global issues, and maintaining ASEAN solidarity.
- These discussed priorities represent a blend of historic ties with a dose of modern economic pragmatism, aligning with Vietnam’s broader governmental agenda under its current leadership.
