According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on November 4, at the Headquarters of the Party Central Committee, General Secretary and State President To Lam received Lao National Assembly President Saysomphone Phomvihane and a high-level delegation from the Lao National Assembly during their official visit to Viet Nam.

Focusing on effective strategic, economic and trade cooperation

General Secretary and State President To Lam welcomed Saysomphone Phomvihane on his official visit to Viet Nam. He congratulated him on his election as President of the Lao National Assembly at the second session of its 10th term, and highly appreciated his decision to choose Viet Nam as the first country to visit officially in his new capacity. This, he said, vividly demonstrated the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.

Lao National Assembly President Saysomphone Phomvihane thanked Party General Secretary and State President To Lam for receiving the delegation and respectfully conveyed the greetings of Lao Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith.

He congratulated Viet Nam on the significant and comprehensive development achievements it had recorded in recent years, expressing confidence that, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the Vietnamese people would continue to achieve new and greater successes in their renewal process, successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and realize the strategic development goals for 2030 and 2045. He emphasized that Viet Nam’s development achievements and experience were a valuable source of encouragement and lessons for Laos in successfully pursuing its own development goals.

Briefing Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on notable developments in Laos, recent activities of the Lao National Assembly, cooperation between the Vietnamese and Lao legislatures in recent years, and the outcomes of his talks with National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man, the Lao National Assembly President expressed deep gratitude for Viet Nam’s substantial, timely and effective support and assistance to Laos over the years.

He affirmed that the Lao National Assembly would continue to work closely with its Vietnamese counterpart to promote the effective implementation of agreements reached by the senior leaders of the two Parties and countries, as well as cooperation agreements between the two legislatures, thereby contributing to the stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam congratulated the Party, State and people of Laos on the significant and comprehensive achievements they had made in recent years. He affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches great importance and gives top priority to consolidating and developing relations with Laos, and strongly and comprehensively supports the country's renewal process.

He expressed confidence that, drawing on their revolutionary historical traditions and under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the administration of the Government and the supervision of the National Assembly, the Lao people would continue to achieve new and greater successes in their renewal process and successfully implement the Resolution of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the 10th Five-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and Lao National Assembly President Saysomphone Phomvihane expressed satisfaction with the positive development of the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos, which had continued to deepen across Party, State, local and people-to-people channels.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam noted that the two Parties, countries and National Assemblies were all facing demands for renewal, institutional improvement and more effective governance. To further strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation, he proposed that the two Parties and States continue close coordination, concretize and effectively implement high-level agreements, and focus on promoting effective strategic, economic and trade cooperation through specific programs, projects and works based on each country’s strengths and needs. Such cooperation should be commensurate with the level of political relations and the potential of both countries, contributing to their shared development. He also called for stronger exchanges and connectivity to reinforce the friendship and close bonds between the two peoples.

Strengthening cooperation between the two National Assemblies

Regarding parliamentary cooperation, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam spoke highly of and commended the achievements made by the Vietnamese and Lao legislatures in their cooperation in recent years, which had made positive contributions to consolidating the strong relationship between the two Parties and States.

He proposed that the two National Assemblies continue to concretize and effectively implement the concept of “strategic cohesion” across their specialized bodies and committees, National Assembly delegations and local People’s Councils. They should strengthen exchanges and mutual support, treating this as a long-term orientation and a foundation for ensuring the sustainable and enduring development of Viet Nam - Laos relations.

He also called for stronger information exchanges and the sharing of practical experience in parliamentary activities, including institution-building and improvement, as well as enhanced cooperation in legislation, supervision and decisions on major national issues.

At the same time, the two legislatures should promote their role in extending the strengths of political, defense and security cooperation into the fields of economy, trade and investment. They should work alongside the two Governments to effectively implement high-level agreements, economic, investment and trade cooperation agreements, and key projects in areas such as transport connectivity, energy and minerals.

The two sides should also promptly address difficulties and obstacles and establish favorable legal frameworks to enable businesses and localities in both countries to expand cooperation effectively and sustainably. These efforts would help mobilize the strength of the people and create new development opportunities for each country.

He further called on the two legislatures to continue coordinating and supporting each other at regional and international parliamentary forums, and to work together to organize activities in various appropriate formats to celebrate the Viet Nam - Laos Year of Friendship and Solidarity 2027.

Lao National Assembly President Saysomphone Phomvihane affirmed that, together with other senior Lao leaders and the leadership of the 10th-term National Assembly, he would direct ministries, sectors, agencies and committees of the legislature to continue strengthening close cooperation with their Vietnamese counterparts and enhancing connectivity between the two Parties and countries across all fields.

He also said the two National Assemblies would continue to increase exchanges and share experience to improve the effectiveness of their respective functions, duties and powers in accordance with each country’s laws. They would coordinate closely with relevant agencies to ensure that policies and cooperation agreements between the two Parties and States were institutionalized and effectively implemented.

These efforts would contribute to improving the quality of each legislature’s operations, meeting the development requirements of both countries in the new period and responding to the aspirations of their peoples.