Promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation

On the afternoon of July 16, in Vientiane, Laos, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos jointly inaugurated the Vietnam - Laos Trade Fair 2026 (VIETLAO EXPO 2026). The event is part of Vietnam's 2026 National Trade Promotion Program and is jointly organised by the trade promotion agencies of the two countries. The fair is regarded as Vietnam's largest trade promotion event in the Lao market and has been held annually since 2007.

At the opening ceremony, Nguyen Minh Tam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Laos, stressed that VIETLAO EXPO is not only an annual trade promotion event but also one of the key mechanisms for implementing high-level cooperation agreements between the two countries. It creates favourable conditions for businesses to strengthen connections, seek partners, expand investment and develop markets in a sustainable manner.

"The fair also carries practical significance by strengthening economic connectivity, promoting investment and trade, expanding markets, showcasing each country's flagship products, and creating opportunities for businesses from both sides to meet, explore investment and business cooperation, and work towards sustainable growth and shared prosperity," Ambassador Tam said.

According to the Ambassador, economic cooperation remains a bright spot in Vietnam–Laos relations. In 2025, bilateral trade reached USD 2.98 billion, up 32.7% compared with 2024. Vietnam's exports to Laos hit a record USD 1.08 billion, an increase of 43.1%, while imports from Laos totalled USD 1.9 billion, up 27.3%. In the first five months of 2026 alone, two-way trade had already reached USD 1.07 billion.

Ambassador Tam also noted that during the official visit to Vietnam and attendance at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, the Prime Ministers of the two countries agreed to continue promoting strategic infrastructure connectivity, modernising border gate systems, expanding economic cooperation and working towards the goal of increasing bilateral trade to USD 5 billion in the coming years, while raising Vietnam's total investment in Laos to more than USD 10 billion by 2030.

A bridge for businesses to expand markets

VIETLAO EXPO 2026 features 250 standard booths, including 120 booths representing nearly 90 Vietnamese enterprises operating in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, processed food, textiles and garments, chemicals, consumer goods and handicrafts. Many enterprises with Vietnam Value products, together with localities including Quang Ninh, Nghe An, Thanh Hoa, and Hue city, are showcasing OCOP products and regional specialties at the fair.

"With the participation of hundreds of enterprises from both countries displaying their products across approximately 250 booths, I am confident that the Vietnam - Laos Trade Fair 2026 will be a success. The success of the fair will contribute to strengthening connectivity between the two economies and promoting trade and investment cooperation," Ambassador Tam said.

In addition to traditional product categories, this year's fair expands exhibition space for high-tech industries, including electrical and electronic products, industrial machinery and equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, as well as trade and investment services aligned with the development needs of the Lao market.

Beyond product displays and exhibitions, VIETLAO EXPO 2026 also includes business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking programmes connecting Vietnamese manufacturers with distributors and partners in Laos, market surveys, investment promotion activities and cultural events to attract visitors. The organising committee has also launched extensive promotional campaigns in Laos and northeastern Thailand to enhance business connectivity.

According to the organising committee, the participation of the Vietnamese business delegation aims to promote Vietnam's national image and corporate brands, expand distribution networks for Vietnamese products in Laos and northeastern Thailand, while strengthening joint ventures, business partnerships and technology transfer between enterprises of the two countries.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that, with the participation of hundreds of enterprises across approximately 250 booths, VIETLAO EXPO 2026 will continue to serve as an important bridge for promoting trade and investment, strengthening connectivity between the two economies, and further deepening the "great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic bond" between Vietnam and Laos.