Lao leader Thongloun Sisoulith’s Vietnam visit in the spotlight

Lao Party and State leader Thongloun Sisoulith and his entourage arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on September 10, beginning their three-day official visit to Vietnam.

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Vietnam fires a 21-gun salute to welcome the Lao leader and his entourage at a welcoming ceremony hosted by Vietnamese Party and State leader To Lam on September 11.

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Following To Lam’s official visit to Laos in July, Thongloun Sisoulith’s visit is expected to further strengthen the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two countries, and peoples of Laos and Vietnam.

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Currently, political relations between the two countries have been strengthened in deep, close, and reliable manner. Their defense cooperation has been enhanced, contributing to maintaining peace and political stability in each country. Vietnam has invested in 256 projects in Laos, totaling US$5.5 billion. Two-way trade turnover between Laos and Vietnam reaches US$1.3 billion in the first eight months of 2024. Additionally, Vietnam plans to import 3,000 MW of electricity from Laos by 2025.

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Immediately after the official welcoming ceremony, the two leaders hold talks on measures to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

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During the talks, the two leaders agree to strengthen defense and security cooperation to effectively address increasingly diverse and complex security challenges.

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The two sides vow to make a breakthrough in economic, cultural, and scientific-technical cooperation by fully leveraging and utilizing each country’s potential and strengths.

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The two sides agree to effectively maintain information exchange and assessments regarding international developments, protect each other’s legitimate interests in accordance with international law, including issues related to the East Sea and the sustainable use of the Mekong River’s water resources. They will consult and coordinate closely, and provide mutual support in international and regional matters, as well as in activities at multilateral forums.

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During his meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith extends his condolences to Vietnamese people over the great losses caused by Typhoon Yagi.

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The two sides agree to focus on resolving obstacles to the implementation of important projects and to further enhance cooperation in education, culture, tourism, banking, labour, and people-to-people exchanges.

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During his stay in Hanoi, Thongloun Sisoulith and his entourage pay a floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The wreath is inscribed with the message: “President Ho Chi Minh lives forever in our revolutionary cause.”

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To Lam and Thongloun Sisoulith co-chair a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

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At the meeting, both sides affirm that the Vietnam-Laos relationship is an invaluable common asset of both nations that should be preserved, promoted and passed to future generations.

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General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith also meets with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man who affirms that the Vietnamese National Assembly would continue to support and assist Laos in successfully fulfilling its roles as ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair this year.

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As part of his state visit to Vietnam, the Lao delegation make a stopover in Ho Chi Minh City for several activities. In the photo, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen personally welcome the delegation at Tan Sonh Nhat International Airport.

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General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos takes part in a fund-raising campaign to support people of northern provinces affected by Typhoon Yagi.

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Meeting with former State President Nguyen Minh Triet, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos affirms that Laos will continue to work closely with Vietnam to preserve, nurture, and pass on the fine traditions of the special Vietnam-Laos relationship to future generations.

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At the end of the visit, Vietnam and Laos issue a joint statement, affirming that both sides appreciate the successful outcomes of the state visit of General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith to Vietnam and the state visit of President To Lam to Laos in July 2024. These visits are considered milestones in the history of Vietnam-Laos relations, contributing significantly to consolidating and nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The statement aims to elevate the relationship to new heights for the prosperity of both peoples and to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the rest of the world.