At a reception hosted by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam in Hanoi on October 14 for General Khamliang Outhakaysone, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Laos, the top Vietnamese leader congratulated the Lao Party, State and people on their significant and comprehensive achievements, particularly in maintaining political stability, safeguarding national defense and security, and promoting socio-economic development, thereby enabling Laos to graduate from the least developed country category in 2026, according to the Vietnam News Agency.5 He also congratulated Laos on the success of the recent Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee meeting and the consolidation of key leadership positions at the second session of the 10th National Assembly, describing these as important decisions for the country’s future development, construction and defense.
The top leader affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always attach the highest priority to relations with Laos and stand ready to share experience and support the country in its renewal and international integration. Highlighting defense and security cooperation as a key pillar of bilateral ties, he called for stronger strategic political trust, effective exchanges and defense dialogues at all levels, substantive implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms, and closer coordination between agencies, units, military regions, services and armed forces of the two countries.
He also reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for stronger solidarity and defense cooperation among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, noting that the annual defense ministers’ meeting and joint civil defense exercise are practical mechanisms for building trust and improving coordination in responding to shared challenges.
General Khamliang is in Vietnam for an official visit, the 10th annual meeting of the defense ministers of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and the fifth joint civil defense exercise among the three countries’ militaries.
For his part, the Lao official briefed the top Vietnamese leader on the situation in Laos, particularly the implementation of the 12th National Party Congress’s Resolution. He expressed deep gratitude for Vietnam’s longstanding, timely and effective support, affirming that, regardless of regional and global developments, the Lao Party, State, army and people will always stand alongside their Vietnamese counterparts to preserve and further nurture the special bilateral relationship for generations to come.
Reporting on the visit and defense cooperation outcomes, he pledged close coordination with Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense to effectively implement high-level agreements between the two countries and cooperation agreements between the two ministries, further promoting the traditional ties between the two armies and contributing to peace and development in both countries.
General Secretary and President Lam thanked the Lao Party, State, army and people for facilitating the search for, recovery and identification of the remains of Vietnamese fallen soldiers in Laos, making an important contribution to Vietnam’s “500-day campaign,” which has been launched by the Vietnamese Government for recovery and identification of the remains of Vietnamese fallen soldiers.
He called on the two defense ministries to prepare and organize activities under the 2027 Vietnam-Laos Year of Solidarity and Friendship in celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. The activities, he said, will help educate younger generations about the countries’ shared history, foster pride and deepen solidarity between their people.
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