According to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs late on January 23, at the invitation of To Lam and his spouse, Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary and President of Laos, and his spouse, will pay a State visit to Vietnam from January 26 to 27.

Thongloun Sisoulith will be the first foreign head of state to pay a State visit to Vietnam following the conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Earlier, in the first week of January 2026, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party convened its 12th National Congress, at which Thongloun Sisoulith was re-elected as General Secretary for the 12th term.

Previously, on the occasion of To Lam’s re-election by the 14th-tenure Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam as General Secretary, Thongloun Sisoulith sent a congratulatory letter.

In the letter, the Lao leader extended his congratulations and affirmed that To Lam’s re-election for another term reflects the high level of trust and appreciation of the Party, the State, and the people of Vietnam for his intellectual contributions, dedication, and extensive leadership experience over the past years.

“We affirm that, together with you and the new leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, we will continue to preserve, cherish, protect, and strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic bond between Laos and Vietnam, ensuring that this relationship continues to flourish and remain enduring,” Thongloun Sisoulith wrote.

In recent years, trade cooperation between the two countries has recorded significant achievements. Vietnam has consistently remained Laos’ third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching new milestones. In 2024, two-way trade surpassed the USD 2 billion mark for the first time, hitting a record USD 2.2 billion. In 2025, the figure rose to USD 2.98 billion, up 32.7% year-on-year, underscoring the shared determination of both sides to promote substantive and sustainable growth in bilateral trade.