Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-level Vietnamese delegation arrived in the Lao capital of Vientiane on Thursday afternoon, beginning an official visit to Laos.

Welcoming the delegation at the airport were Bouakhong Nammavong, Minister and Head of the Lao Prime Minister's Office; Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Maythong Thammavongsa; Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh; and Phokham Sayasone, Vice Chairman of the Vientiane Capital Administration Committee.

Also present were representatives of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, staff of the Vietnamese Embassy, members of the Vietnamese community in Laos and local residents.

During the visit, Le Minh Hung is expected to hold extensive discussions with senior Lao leaders on practical measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation and create fresh momentum for relations between the two countries.

The discussions will focus particularly on areas of cooperation that deliver tangible benefits and serve the interests of both nations.

According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), shortly after arriving at Wattay International Airport, the Vietnamese Prime Minister and his delegation visited the Monument to Unknown Soldiers in Vientiane to lay a wreath.

The delegation paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the independence and freedom of the two nations, as well as for the defense, reconstruction and development of Laos and Vietnam.

Later, Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith presided over an official welcome ceremony for his Vietnamese counterpart and the accompanying delegation at the Prime Minister's Office in Vientiane.

As the motorcade carrying Le Minh Hung and the Vietnamese delegation arrived at the venue, Saleumxay Kommasith warmly greeted the visiting Prime Minister, who was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by Lao children.

The two leaders then took their places of honor as the national anthems of Vietnam and Laos were played.

They subsequently inspected the honor guard of the Lao People's Army before introducing members of their respective delegations.

Following the ceremony, the two Prime Ministers began their official talks.

The discussions are expected to identify and agree on specific measures to implement existing high-level agreements and commitments more effectively, particularly in areas where significant progress and breakthroughs are needed.

These efforts are aimed at further deepening the relationship between Vietnam and Laos, which the two governments characterize as one of "great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion."

Speaking to Vietnamese media, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane said the visit would see the signing of several important cooperation documents intended to translate agreements reached by the senior leaders of the two ruling parties into concrete action.

More than 10 documents covering a wide range of sectors, from central government to local-level cooperation, are expected to be signed following the bilateral talks.

The agreements will provide an important foundation for ministries, agencies and local authorities in both countries to develop and implement practical cooperation plans.

They will also help prepare the agenda for the 49th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation, scheduled for early 2027.

Another major event during the visit will be a Laos-Vietnam investment promotion conference, expected to bring together around 1,000 delegates from the public and private sectors.

The conference is intended to connect businesses from the two countries, match their needs with their respective capabilities and turn potential partnerships into concrete cooperation.

Tran Thuong