In recent years, the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity, a sacred legacy established by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Souphanouvong, and generations of leaders, has flourished and yielded significant results.
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General Secretary of the Party Central Committee To Lam leads a Vietnamese high-level delegation on a state visit to Laos on February 5, 2026. (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
Political trust and strategic confidence between Vietnam and Laos continue to deepen, anchoring bilateral relations. Both sides have effectively utilized cooperation mechanisms, notably high-level meetings between Party General Secretaries, the Intergovernmental Committee co-chaired by both Prime Ministers, and legislative exchanges.
General Secretary To Lam’s historic state visit to Laos in December 2025 further elevated ties to a “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connectivity.” This shared vision emphasizes intertwined strategic interests and long-term companionship for sustainable development and shared prosperity.
Cooperation in defense, security, and foreign affairs remains firm, while economic, trade, and investment sectors show positive growth. Collaborative efforts in culture, education, and technology have also yielded practical results, strengthening ties between ministries and local authorities.
As the first overseas trip by Vietnam’s top leader in 2026, this visit follows the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and General Secretary To Lam’s re-election. It underscores Vietnam’s foreign policy priority of fostering relations with neighboring traditional friends and reaffirms strong support for Laos’s national construction and socio-economic goals.
As both nations enter a new year following successful Party Congresses, this visit revitalizes the Vietnam - Laos relationship. Both peoples are confident that these ties will grow more substantive, meeting the strategic requirements of a new historical context.
By Editorial Board of the People’s Army Newspaper
Translated by Tran Hoai