Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia are close neighbors on the Indochinese Peninsula, connected by mountains and rivers, sharing the waters of the Mekong River and a long-standing relationship. History has demonstrated the vital importance of Vietnam – Laos - Cambodia unity, friendship, and mutual support to the destiny of each nation.
Since the establishment and under the leadership of the Indochinese Communist Party, later the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and the Cambodian People's Party, this relationship has been further strengthened and elevated to a new level. Their tradition of solidarity and close ties have created both the spiritual and material strength enabling the three countries to stand shoulder to shoulder in the past struggle against common enemies and in ongoing national construction and development.
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Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodian PM Hun Manet, Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul, and Timor-Leste PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão will attend the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) in Hanoi. (Photo for illustration: baoquocte.vn) |
Looking back at the history of Vietnam - Laos relations, we take pride in the special solidarity founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and nurtured, preserved, and strengthened through the dedication, sacrifice, and even the blood of generations of soldiers and people of both countries. Few bilateral relationships in the world are as profound, noble, and enduring as that between Vietnam and Laos. Every achievement of the revolutions in the two countries has been closely associated with the positive development of this special bond.
The historical lessons of the Vietnam - Laos special solidarity remain a guiding thread throughout the development of the two parties and peoples. Having withstood the severe trials of war and the hardships of renewal and integration, Vietnam - Laos relations have become an objective reality and a factor of vital significance, providing a solid foundation for the two countries to advance through future stages of history.
Based themselves on a long history of relations and their shared struggle against colonialists, Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic relations in 1967, creating favorable conditions for their peoples to continue standing side by side. Together, they secured historic victories in Spring 1975, overthrew the brutal genocidal Pol Pot regime in 1979, prevented its return, and helped revitalize Cambodia.
Following the Paris Peace Agreements in 1991 and Cambodia's general elections in 1993, bilateral relations entered a new phase suited to the realities of both countries and the international environment. Since 2005, the relations have been guided by the “Good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability” motto agreed upon by the two countries' senior leaders.
It is undeniable that despite numerous difficulties, challenges, and historical upheavals, the Vietnam - Cambodia solidarity and friendship have continued to flourish, becoming a sacred and enduring asset shared by the two nations.
Tracing history further back, Vietnam and Thailand officially established diplomatic relations in August 1976. Vietnam's accession to ASEAN in 1995 gave fresh momentum to Vietnam - Thailand ties under the grouping’s common framework. In 2013, the two countries became the first ASEAN members to establish a strategic partnership with one another, before upgrading relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership as they are today.
Despite historical fluctuations and changing circumstances, that relations have made remarkable progress over the past 50 years on the basis of mutual respect, trust, and understanding, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. Leaders of both nations have consistently affirmed their commitment to developing the Vietnam - Thailand comprehensive strategic partnership in an increasingly intensive, substantive, and effective manner.
More than half a century ago, Vietnam was among the first countries to recognize the Revolutionary Front for an Independent Timor-Leste (Fretilin) in 1975. Nearly three decades later, the two countries formally established diplomatic relations in 2002. Since then, Vietnam and Timor-Leste have maintained positive momentum in bilateral relations.
Timor-Leste's leaders have repeatedly affirmed that Vietnam is a close friend and reliable partner. They have expressed appreciation for Vietnam's sincere and valuable support in Timor-Leste's nation-building and development efforts, and throughout its ASEAN accession process. They have also voiced admiration for Vietnam's achievements and its growing international role, prestige, and standing, viewing Vietnam as a model of development.
Meanwhile, after more than three decades of ASEAN membership, Vietnam has firmly established itself as an indispensable part of the grouping. To provide a platform for ASEAN leaders, partners, scholars, and international businesses to discuss and propose ideas and initiatives that help shape ASEAN's future, Vietnam launched the ASEAN Future Forum initiative in 2023. Following its successful editions in 2024 and 2025, the AFF has proven to be more than an academic forum, serving as a practical complement to ASEAN's official processes.
Under the theme “Shaping a Shared Future Together: Peace, Prosperity and People-Centered Development,” the third edition, hosted by Vietnam this year, aims to contribute to shaping ASEAN's future cooperation agenda as member states actively implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, in line with the spirit of “Navigating Our Future, Together” of ASEAN 2026.
The official visits to Vietnam and participation in the third AFF by the Prime Ministers of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Timor-Leste demonstrate the importance these countries attach to their bilateral relations with Vietnam, as well as their support for Vietnam as host of its first major high-level multilateral diplomatic event of 2026.
At the same time, the presence of these senior leaders clearly reflects the spirit of regional cohesion and the shared determination to work together with member states and partners in building a peaceful, cohesive, prosperous, resilient, dynamic, innovative, and people-centered ASEAN, while writing new chapters of success for the association.
By the Editorial Board of the People’s Army Newspaper
Translated by Mai Huong