On the evening of January 9, 2026, the Lao National Stadium in Vientiane lit up for the program "Vietnam-Laos: An Epic of Friendship," organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Lao Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos. (Photo: VNA)
At the invitation of Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation on an official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic from October 8 to 9.
Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh stated that the visit aims to further strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic linkage between Laos and Vietnam, and Vietnam and Laos, thereby making the relationship between the two countries increasingly fruitful.
Strengthening the great friendship.
Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh highly appreciated the visit of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, considering it very important for the special relationship between the two countries, reaffirming the determination to implement the agreements and common understandings of the high-level leaders of the two Parties and States in the past.
In context, this is a traditional visit following the completion of the Congresses of each Party, including the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam .
This also marks Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's first visit to Laos since being elected Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The visit also contributes to promoting the implementation of cooperation plans and programs, especially those agreed upon at the recent 48th Session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.
From August 17-19, 2026, the headquarters of the Vietnam Cultural Center in Laos, located in Vientiane, was bustling with a vibrant cultural gathering featuring a thematic exhibition and performance program on "The Practice of Then Beliefs of the Tay-Thai Language Group." (Photo: Xuan Tu/VNA)
According to Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh, the Vietnam-Laos relationship is a great friendship, a special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic alignment. The solid political foundation and special solidarity between the two countries were painstakingly built by the beloved leaders President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and have been continuously nurtured and strengthened by subsequent generations of leaders.
Furthermore, the two countries continue to strive for economic cooperation commensurate with their political relationship, especially in the context of pursuing their current socio-economic development goals. Both sides prioritize comprehensive development, focusing on promoting increasingly strong economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade and investment.
Thanks to the impetus from the leaders of both countries, bilateral trade turnover is expected to reach nearly $3 billion in 2025; in the first eight months of 2026, this figure is projected to reach approximately $1.65 billion.
Investment between the two countries has also increased, especially Vietnamese investment in Laos. Currently, Vietnam is the leading investor in Laos. Since the leadership of both countries took the lead, the number of projects has increased, especially high-quality projects in the fields of energy, minerals, agriculture, services, etc., creating a foundation for further expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries in the future.
From October 1st to 4th, 2026, at 93 Dinh Tien Hoang Street (Hanoi), the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Lao Embassy in Vietnam and the Lao Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the "Vietnam-Lao Product Week in Hanoi." (Photo: VNA)
Strategic alignment across multiple areas.
In this context, Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh hopes that Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's visit will be an important contribution to promoting economic cooperation and mutual development between the two countries.
Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh stated that cooperation will continue to expand in the future, especially in the areas of digital economy, e-commerce, innovation, energy, agriculture, and the development of high-quality human resources. The two countries will also focus on creating favorable conditions for businesses and entrepreneurs from both sides to conduct on-site surveys and understand each other's capabilities, thereby jointly implementing agreements and directives from high-level leaders.
Both countries are emphasizing the need to deepen their relationship based on "great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic alignment."
Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to Vietnam, Khamphao Ernthavanh. (Photo: Viet Duc/VNA)
According to the Ambassador, "strategic engagement" reflects the guiding principle of the leaders of the two countries: all projects and agreements that have been agreed upon must be implemented and transformed into concrete results. To implement this, Ms. Khamphao Ernthavanh suggested focusing on four main areas.
Firstly, economic and infrastructure connectivity is absolutely essential, given that the two countries share a border stretching over 2,000 km. The development of transportation, logistics, energy (electricity), border crossings, and digital infrastructure plays a particularly important role in bringing the two countries closer together and meeting the demands of the times. This is the most crucial aspect of connecting the two countries.
Secondly, human resource development is the most important area in the long term for both countries. Both sides have agreed to further strengthen educational cooperation. Recently, the two countries have increased the number of scholarships for Lao students to study in Vietnam to over 1,300 per year, while maintaining annual exchange and research programs for Lao leaders. Both sides have also agreed to establish a Lao-Vietnam Friendship University in Laos, which is currently under development.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Vietnam and the Government of Laos on a cooperation strategy in the field of transportation for the period 2026-2035. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)
Thirdly, developing science, technology, and digital transformation. In the context of a rapidly developing digital economy, Laos and Vietnam need to promote the exchange of experiences and cooperation in data, e-commerce, innovation, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, serving the lives of people and the operations of businesses.
Fourth, strengthen connections between localities and people of the two countries. Bilateral relations should not be limited to the central level but must be implemented from the central to the local level, with the participation of the people.
Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh emphasized the role of transportation and logistics connectivity as the most important link in the current stage of development. Laos has implemented a regional connectivity policy, transforming from a landlocked country into one connected to the region and the international community.
The great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic alignment between Laos and Vietnam are the most important foundations, especially in political and economic cooperation.
Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh
Over the past period, leaders of the two countries have discussed and agreed on priorities to promote infrastructure connectivity, including major projects such as the Hanoi-Vientiane expressway and the Laos-Vietnam railway project.
"If the aforementioned projects are implemented effectively, especially the connecting routes which are being urgently constructed and could be completed by 2030, the transportation of goods from Laos to the sea or connecting with the region will be of higher quality, reducing transportation time and costs, shortening delivery times, and ensuring product quality when reaching the external market," Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh affirmed.
Since the construction of the Truong Son 2 Bridge, travel has become more convenient for people and facilitates trade between Laos and Vietnam. (Photo: Do Ba Thanh/VNA)
The Ambassador expressed confidence that the two countries would successfully connect in terms of transportation infrastructure, energy, trade, and digital transformation, creating an important foundation for strengthening strategic ties. Upon completion of these initiatives, the quality of cooperation will be enhanced, bringing the greatest benefits to the people of both countries, while also strengthening coordination in regional and international forums.
“The great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic alignment between Laos and Vietnam are the most important foundations, especially in political and economic cooperation. This relationship was formed in history, diligently nurtured by the leaders of both countries, and serves as the foundation for today's young generation to inherit, develop, and successfully achieve future goals. No force can shake the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic alignment between Laos and Vietnam,” Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh emphasized.
A night of sublime art celebrating Vietnam-Laos friendship: Forever green, everlasting. (Photo: VNA)
(Vietnam+)
