President Luong Cuong's state visit tightens Vietnam–Laos friendship and solidarity (2025)

President Luong Cuong on April 24 afternoon is set to depart Hanoi for a state visit to Laos from April 24 to 25 at the invitation of Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

This is President Luong Cuong’s first state visit to Laos, underscoring Vietnam’s high regard for and priority on its relationship with the neighboring country. It also indicates the determination of the two Parties and two states to advance their special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation. The visit is expected to help take Vietnam-Laos relations to new heights and make the ties increasingly substantive and effective.

Vietnam and Laos are neighboring countries, sharing similar cultures and a common border. Their fine traditional friendship and close-knit bond were founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Suphanouvong, and have since been carefully nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries. This special relationship has become a priceless asset of the two nations and a shared development principle as both strive for prosperity and happiness.

The two countries established diplomatic relations on September 5, 1962, marking a milestone in their special friendship and opening a new chapter in bilateral ties. On July 18, 1977, the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, affirming their steadfast solidarity and mutual support in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

In February 2019, during a visit to Laos by former General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, the relationship was upgraded to a “great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation,” creating a historic turning point in bilateral ties.

In recent years, leaders of the two Parties and countries have maintained regular exchanges through all channels. Notable events include the 47th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee (January 9, 2025); the annual high-level meeting between the two Parties (February 26, 2024); a state visit to Laos by then President and now General Secretary To Lam (July 11–12, 2024); and a state visit to Vietnam by Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (September 10–13, 2024).

In economic, trade and investment cooperation, Vietnam currently has 267 valid projects in Laos with a total registered capital of US$5.63 billion, of which US$2.8 billion has been disbursed. Bilateral trade in March 2025 reached nearly US$1 billion, a 105.5% increase year on year. The two countries aim to raise trade turnover to US$5 billion in the coming years.

Many Vietnamese projects in Laos have delivered positive results, contributing to local socio-economic development, creating jobs and raising incomes for thousands of workers, and generating budget revenue for Laos, particularly in telecommunications, banking, rubber cultivation and processing, and food and dairy production.

The two sides also maintain close cooperation in national defence and security as a contribution to political stability, security, and social order in both countries and along their shared border. Other areas of cooperation such as transport connectivity, education and training, culture, and people-to-people exchanges also continue to receive attention.

On regional and international platforms, Vietnam and Laos closely coordinate and support each other, especially within ASEAN, the United Nations, and various sub-regional mechanisms. Vietnam is actively supporting Laos in fulfilling its key international responsibilities in 2025.

President Luong Cuong’s state visit holds great significance. It is expected to further consolidate trust, enhance political confidence, and strengthen the Vietnam-Laos bond. The visit also promotes public awareness, especially among younger generations, about the countries’ special relationship–a unique and priceless asset of the two peoples.

This strong foundation will help the two countries overcome challenges, move forward together in national development, and contribute to peace, friendship, stability, and development in the region and the world.