In an interview granted to the press ahead of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s official visits to Laos on October 8–9 and to Cambodia on October 9–10, the official highlighted the significance of the visits and prospects for bilateral relations with the two neighboring countries.
According to Cuong, the trips, to be made at the invitation of Lao PM Saleumxay Kommasith and Cambodian PM Hun Manet, will be the Vietnamese PM's first official visits to the two countries.
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Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong |
The visits affirm the great importance and high priority Viet Nam attaches to its relations with the two neighbors. They are expected to further deepen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos, and the good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability between Viet Nam and Cambodia, the Deputy FM said.
He stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability and strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries amid complex and unpredictable regional and global developments, noting that the visits aim to promote the implementation of the agreements and commitments reached by the three countries' senior leaders.
For Laos, the visit comes just days after the Lao National Assembly elected Saleumxay Kommasith as Prime Minister, providing an opportunity for the two PMs to discuss at an early stage orientations and measures to strengthen cooperation between the two governments in the new period.
For Cambodia, the trip takes place four months after Cambodian PM Hun Manet’s official visit to Viet Nam, and the two sides now hold considerable room to further expand partnerships, particularly in trade, investment and tourism.
The visits are also expected to help foster friendship and people-to-people bonds, particularly among young people, Cuong said.
During his stay, PM Hung will hold in-depth discussions with the senior leaders of Laos and Cambodia on specific measures to promote cooperation, particularly in practical areas that serve the interests of each country.
Looking back on recent progress, Cuong said political ties between Viet Nam and Laos have continued to deepen. Following the Party congresses of the two countries, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith paid a state visit to Viet Nam, and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President To Lam made a state visit to Laos.
The Deputy FM noted the two parties' top leaders choosing each other's countries as their first overseas destination reflect the special priority they give to bilateral ties.
Defense and security cooperation remains an important pillar, with the two countries closely coordinating to maintain political stability, ensure security and preserve peace and stability along their shared border.
Economic collaboration has also seen positive progress. Two-way trade reached about USD 3 billion in 2025, up 32% from 2024. Viet Nam remains among the largest foreign investors in Laos, with about 300 projects worth around USD 7.04 billion in registered capital. The two sides are seeking to better tap their potential, particularly in infrastructure connectivity, energy, trade and investment.
Education – training connections and people-to-people exchanges have also been maintained, with localities, especially border provinces, regularly organizing exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding and bonds between the two peoples.
Regarding Cambodia, Cuong said said political trust has continued to be enhanced through regular high-level mutual visits, notably General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Cambodia and PM Hun Manet’s official visit to Viet Nam. Through these engagements, the two sides have continued identifying priority areas for cooperation and seeking solutions to emerging issues.
Defense and security cooperation has also become increasingly productive, contributing to security and order as well as a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and shared development, the official went on.
He added that trade, investment and tourism are important drivers of Viet Nam–Cambodia ties. Their trade reached USD 11.33 billion in 2025, up 11.7% year on year. Viet Nam currently has 223 investment projects worth nearly USD 3.4 billion in Cambodia, making Cambodia the second-largest destination for Viet Nam’s overseas investment.
The two countries have also pushed ahead with cooperation in education, culture and people-to-people exchanges, particularly among young people.
With both Laos and Cambodia, Viet Nam maintains close coordination within ASEAN, the United Nations and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, thereby contributing to ASEAN's solidarity and central role.
The Deputy FM said the visits are steps to carry out the foreign policy adopted at the 14th National Party Congress and the Political Bureau’s strategic resolutions, which all give high priority to relations with Laos and Cambodia.
The foremost expectation is that the Vietnamese Government will reach agreement with its Lao and Cambodian counterparts on specific measures to more effectively implement high-level agreements and commitments, particularly in areas requiring breakthroughs and tangible progress.
The trips are also set to create fresh momentum for economic, trade and investment partnerships and both hard and soft infrastructure connectivity, he continued, saying Viet Nam aims to raise bilateral trade with Laos to USD 10 billion and with Cambodia to USD 20 billion as targeted by the countries’ leaders.
In addition, cooperation in education – training, human resources development, science – technology, and other emerging areas suited to each country’s development needs will also be promoted, alongside stronger people-to-people interactions.
The visits will also serve as practical preparations for major milestones in 2027, when Viet Nam and Laos will celebrate the 65th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and 50 years of the signing of the Viet Nam–Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, while Viet Nam and Cambodia will mark the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Cuong expressed his belief that the trips will provide a new impetus for cooperation between Viet Nam and the two neighbors, making bilateral ties increasingly substantive and effective and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.
Source: VNA