On December 1, Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, accompanied by a high-level Vietnamese delegation, departed Hanoi for a state visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The visit includes attending the 50th National Day celebration of Laos and co-chairing a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, at the invitation of Lao Party Central Committee General Secretary and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse, from December 1 to 2.

The official delegation included: Pham Minh Chinh, Member of the Politburo, Prime Minister; Tran Cam Tu, Member of the Politburo, Standing Member of the Secretariat; Le Minh Hung, Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Party Central Organization Commission; Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Nguyen Xuan Thang, Member of the Politburo, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council; General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Politburo, Minister of National Defense; General Luong Tam Quang, Member of the Politburo, Minister of Public Security; Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee. Also joining the official delegation were: Nguyen Hong Dien, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Industry and Trade; Nguyen Van Thang, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Finance; Nguyen Van Hung, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Nguyen Kim Son, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Education and Training; Tran Hong Minh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Construction; among other officials.

During his visit to Laos, Party General Secretary To Lam held talks with Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, met with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane, visited former senior Lao leaders, attended the 50th National Day celebration, laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldiers, delivered a speech at the National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, and co-chaired the high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

At the National Day ceremony, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith awarded Party General Secretary To Lam the National Gold Medal, the highest honor of Laos, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

Speaking at the ceremony, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his deep honor and emotion at receiving the National Gold Medal, highlighting it as a living testament to the enduring Vietnam - Laos friendship. He paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, who laid the firm foundation for the special ties between the two nations.

He affirmed that the solidarity between the two peoples has been a powerful force leading to victories and the peace and independence enjoyed today. He pledged to continue working with the Vietnamese leadership to nurture and develop the Vietnam - Laos relationship, honoring the sacrifices of previous generations.

During the visit, both sides signed key cooperation documents, creating a legal framework and opening new directions aligned with each country’s development needs, further deepening the Vietnam - Laos special relationship. The visit reaffirmed that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos remain a priceless asset and a solid foundation for the bilateral relationship.

This visit is among Vietnam’s particularly important diplomatic engagements in 2025 and represents Party General Secretary To Lam’s first State visit to Laos in his current role.

The visit further underscores the determination of the leadership of both parties and countries to prioritize the inheritance and promotion of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, ensuring the development of bilateral relations aligns with the strategic requirements, vision, and interests of both nations in the new era.

During the visit, both sides also signed key cooperation agreements, establishing a legal framework and opening new avenues of partnership aligned with each country’s development priorities. The visit underscored that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos remain an invaluable asset and a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship.