General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, will pay a state visit to Laos from February 5-6, at the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith.
According to the Lao Ambassador to Vietnam, Khamphao Ernthavanh, this is a significant political-diplomatic event occurring in a special context as both Parties have just concluded their National Congresses, marking a new phase in bilateral relations.
Milestone in the new phase of bilateral relations
Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh emphasized that General Secretary To Lam's visit takes place right after the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (January 2026) and the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (January 2026). This underscores the special importance that both Parties and States place on maintaining and enhancing bilateral relations at the highest level.
The ambassador highlighted that the visit will continue to nurture and strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connection between the two Parties, States, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos. Additionally, the visit creates new momentum for comprehensive cooperation as both countries enter a new development phase post-Congress.
According to the Ambassador, the visit not only holds symbolic political-diplomatic significance but also opens opportunities to promote substantive, effective, and sustainable cooperation in many strategic areas, reflecting the deep political determination of the leaders of both countries to deepen Vietnam-Laos relations.
During the visit, General Secretary To Lam is expected to hold talks with General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and meet with other key leaders of the Lao Party and State. The leaders will engage in extensive discussions on bilateral cooperation directions in political, economic, security, defense, cultural, and social fields, with economic cooperation identified as a key pillar.
Towards a $10 billion trade target
The Ambassador stated that both sides will focus on discussing the continued implementation of strategic economic agreements, particularly key infrastructure connectivity projects such as highways and border trade connections. These projects are expected to facilitate the flow of goods, boosting trade and investment between the two countries.
Furthermore, the leaders will discuss enhancing trade and investment linkages in line with each side's sustainable development strategy, thereby promoting bilateral and regional value chain connectivity, laying the foundation for long-term economic cooperation.
Regarding economic cooperation prospects, Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh noted that Vietnam-Laos bilateral trade reached $2.6 billion in 2025, reflecting positive growth momentum in recent years. At the 48th session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, both sides agreed to strive for an annual bilateral trade growth of 10-15%. Based on this, the two countries are working towards increasing bilateral trade to about $5 billion in the near future and aiming for a $10 billion target in the long term.
To achieve these goals, the Ambassador mentioned that both sides will continue to expand cooperation in key areas such as infrastructure connectivity, supply chain development, and business support, creating new momentum for bilateral trade and investment.
In the regional context, the Ambassador believes that General Secretary To Lam's visit holds strategic significance as Southeast Asia faces new challenges in security, development, and economic integration. This is an opportunity for the leaders of the two Parties and States to reaffirm their commitment to close coordination not only bilaterally but also at regional and international forums.
Accordingly, both sides will discuss regional cooperation issues, including coordination within the Mekong sub-region cooperation framework and other multilateral mechanisms, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, and promoting sustainable development in the region.
Immediately after concluding the state visit to Laos, General Secretary To Lam is scheduled to pay his state visit to Cambodia, demonstrating Vietnam's consistent policy of strengthening strategic cooperation with neighboring countries, contributing positively to the peace, stability, and development of Southeast Asia.
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