The working visit by Standing Member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Secretariat Tran Cam Tu contributed to advancing strategic, economic and educational cooperation among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, towards sustainable development.

Politburo member and Standing Member of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, together with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, paid official visits to Laos on April 9 and Cambodia on April 10 at the invitation of Vilay Lakhamphong, Standing Member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee Secretariat, and Samdech Say Chhum, Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party and Standing Chairman of its Central Committee’s Permanent Standing Board.

During the two-day working trip, Tran Cam Tu and the Vietnamese delegation carried out more than 20 activities in Laos and Cambodia.

This marks Tran Cam Tu’s first overseas visit in his capacity as Standing Member of the CPV Secretariat, taking place shortly after the 14th National Party Congress, the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and all-level People’s Councils for the 2026 - 2031 term, and the completion of Vietnam’s state apparatus restructuring. The visit also carried special significance as it coincided with the traditional New Year festivals of Laos (Bun Pi May) and Cambodia (Chol Chnam Thmay).

According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, the senior leadership and people of both Laos and Cambodia extended warm and respectful receptions to Tran Cam Tu and the Vietnamese delegation, reflecting strong bilateral friendship. The visit was described as a success, carrying significant meaning.

Advancing Vietnam - Laos comprehensive cooperation

Vietnam - Laos political and diplomatic relations continue to develop in a stable, close and highly trusted manner. Following the Vietnamese State visit by General Secretary To Lam and the high-level meeting between the two Politburos in December 2025, both sides agreed to deepen and elevate bilateral ties, adding a new dimension of “strategic connectivity,” forming a framework of “great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connectivity,” reflecting a new strategic vision for the relationship.

During the visit, Tran Cam Tu paid a courtesy call on the General Secretary and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith.

Thongloun Sisoulith extended congratulations on the election of To Lam as President, Le Minh Hung as Prime Minister, Tran Thanh Man as National Assembly Chairman, and the completion of key Party and State leadership appointments in Vietnam.

At meetings, Tran Cam Tu and Vilay Lakhamphong exchanged views on each country’s situation and informed each other of outcomes following recent National Assembly elections and Party Congress resolutions. The Vietnamese side shared experience in implementing the 14th Party Congress resolutions, improving governance effectiveness, promoting socio-economic development while maintaining political stability and social welfare.

Both sides also exchanged experience in Party building, rectification, anti-corruption and anti-negative practices, strengthening leadership capacity and public trust.

Both agreed to continue high-level and multi-level delegation exchanges, effectively implement existing agreements, and promote economic connectivity, especially infrastructure development and key transport projects linking the two countries. Cooperation in trade, investment, education and high-quality human resource development will be strengthened, along with local-level and border province cooperation. Security and defence cooperation will continue to be enhanced, particularly in combating cross-border crime, drug trafficking and cybercrime.

The two sides also agreed to closely coordinate preparations for the Vietnam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2027, marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1962 - 2027) and the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (1977 - 2027).

Laotian official Bounleua Phandanouvong, Head of the Lao Party Central Committee’s External Relations Commission, assessed that the visit had successfully fulfilled its agenda, highlighting priority projects such as the Vientiane - Hanoi expressway and the Vientiane - Vung Ang railway, alongside cooperation in education and political relations as a core pillar of bilateral ties.

Strengthening Vietnam - Cambodia economic connectivity

Vietnam - Cambodia relations are witnessing strong progress, with political trust further consolidated on the basis of high-level agreed principles.

During meetings and talks, Cambodian leaders expressed gratitude to the Party, State, army and people of Vietnam for supporting Cambodia in overthrowing the Khmer Rouge regime on January 7, 1979, and for continued assistance in national reconstruction and development.

They also congratulated Vietnam on the completion of its high-level leadership restructuring following the 14th Party Congress and the 16th National Assembly elections, expressing confidence that under the leadership of the CPV, headed by General Secretary and President To Lam, Vietnam will achieve double-digit growth and become a high-income developed country by 2045.

At talks between Tran Cam Tu and Samdech Say Chhum, both sides agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges, enhance information sharing, and consult on emerging issues, thereby strengthening political trust and mutual understanding.

The two sides reaffirmed defence and security cooperation as key pillars, while promoting comprehensive, sustainable and mutually beneficial economic connectivity. They set a target of raising bilateral trade to USD 20 billion, commensurate with the potential and scale of both economies.

Both sides also agreed to coordinate the organization of activities marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027, strengthen education and human resource development cooperation, complete border demarcation and marker planting, and build a peaceful, friendly and cooperative shared border region.

On this occasion, Tran Cam Tu urged Cambodia to continue addressing legal status issues for people of Vietnamese origin, helping them stabilize their lives and contribute to Cambodia’s development and bilateral relations.

Solid foundation for regional development

Overall, Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia relations are built on three pillars: high political trust, increasingly deep economic cooperation, and close people-to-people ties. This forms a solid foundation for sustainable development amid deepening international integration.

To further promote cooperation among relevant agencies and localities, during the visit, Tran Cam Tu witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the Office of the CPV Central Committee and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Office, as well as memoranda of understanding between Vietnamese localities and border provinces of Laos and Cambodia.

He also met with the Vietnamese community in both countries, sharing updates on Vietnam’s socio-economic and political situation, listening to their aspirations, and reaffirming the Party and State’s consistent policy that overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part of the nation.

The State will continue improving policies for overseas Vietnamese and strengthen coordination with host countries to protect their legitimate rights and interests.

At meetings with Lao and Cambodian alumni who studied in Vietnam, many expressed emotional attachment, considering Vietnam their second homeland.

Over decades, generations of Lao and Cambodian students in Vietnam have made significant contributions to their home countries’ development upon returning. Youth and student exchange programmes, along with local twinning initiatives, have played an important role in nurturing lasting bonds among the younger generations of the three countries.

Together with Vietnamese communities in Laos and Cambodia, thousands of Lao and Cambodian students currently studying in Vietnam each year serve as vital bridges of the special Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia friendship.

With strong political determination from the leaders of the three Parties and States, and the enduring solidarity among their peoples, the official visit by Standing Member of the CPV Secretariat Tran Cam Tu to Laos and Cambodia has been a great success, helping to strengthen and elevate comprehensive friendship and cooperation for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region.