On June 9, Party General Secretary and President To Lam held separate meetings with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
General Secretary and President To Lam highly appreciated the participation and remarks delivered by the three leaders at the opening session of the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF), noting that their contributions not only helped ensure the forum's success but also demonstrated ASEAN solidarity and the close ties between Vietnam and its regional partners.
During his meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam's strong support for Laos' reform process and expressed understanding of the challenges the country is currently facing. He stressed that Vietnam would continue to provide assistance within its capacity to help Laos stabilize its macroeconomy, strengthen governance and achieve sustainable development.
Party General Secretary and President To Lam meets Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
The Vietnamese leader praised the close coordination between the two governments in implementing high-level agreements and achieving positive results across all areas of cooperation.
He proposed that the two countries continue sharing strategic perspectives, maintain highly trusted defense and security cooperation, and further enhance practical and effective economic collaboration. Vietnam and Laos should also innovate cooperation in education and training, develop high-quality human resources, and expand local-level cooperation through diverse and effective mechanisms.
Party Chief and President To Lam emphasized that bilateral cooperation should move beyond being "good" to becoming truly effective. Commitments should be translated into tangible outcomes, with the real benefits delivered to the people of both countries serving as the highest measure of success. He also called for regular reviews of bilateral cooperation.
The two sides should prioritize strategic projects in transport, energy, agriculture and digital transformation, particularly the development of Vung Ang Port, the Hanoi-Vientiane expressway, and the Vung Ang-Vientiane railway. He also proposed simplifying border procedures and continuing local-currency payment mechanisms to facilitate travel, tourism, trade and investment.
The two countries agreed to work together to resolve remaining obstacles and identify new areas of cooperation suited to the conditions and capabilities of each side.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone thanked Vietnam for its longstanding, timely and effective support and reaffirmed Laos' commitment to preserving and strengthening the special Laos-Vietnam relationship.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone briefed General Secretary and President To Lam on the outcomes of his talks with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, highlighting agreements to further deepen the strategic ties between Vietnam and Laos across all sectors.
Vietnam remains one of the largest foreign investors in Laos, with 289 projects worth a combined US$6.6 billion. Bilateral trade reached more than US$1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026. Both governments pledged to work closely together toward increasing two-way trade to US$10 billion within the next five years.
The Lao government also committed to coordinating closely with Vietnam to effectively implement major cooperation projects, address difficulties facing businesses in both countries and strengthen economic ties in line with the special political relationship between the two nations, while maintaining solidarity among the peoples of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Meeting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Party Chief and President To Lam stressed that relations between the two parties and two countries, as well as among the three parties and three countries of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, constitute a valuable shared asset.
Party General Secretary and President To Lam meets Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
He praised the outcomes of talks between Prime Minister Hun Manet and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, which identified key directions and measures for promoting cooperation across all sectors, particularly comprehensive connectivity.
To Lam expressed satisfaction with the broad and deep development of bilateral relations, especially ties between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). Political trust remains the foundation of the relationship, while defense and security cooperation continues to serve as a solid pillar.
Bilateral trade has grown strongly, youth exchanges have become increasingly vibrant, and the Vietnamese-origin community in Cambodia continues to enjoy greater stability and contribute positively to local society.
Prime Minister Hun Manet highly valued the ASEAN Future Forum's role in promoting cooperation within ASEAN and with external partners, particularly at a time of growing regional and global challenges.
He welcomed the comprehensive development of Cambodia-Vietnam relations, noting the benefits for both peoples, particularly through greater connectivity between the Vietnamese and Cambodian economies, as well as among Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, including infrastructure, tourism, trade, agriculture and industry.
Cambodia will work with Vietnam to preserve, strengthen and elevate bilateral relations and pass that legacy on to future generations.
The Cambodian leader reaffirmed his country's commitment to preserving, strengthening and elevating relations with Vietnam for future generations.
Both sides emphasized the strategic significance of relations between the two parties and two countries, as well as among Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in the new context. They also shared a common vision regarding the role of science and technology in economic development and agreed to improve the quality of bilateral and trilateral cooperation.
The two leaders agreed to organize meaningful activities marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 and to promote people-to-people diplomacy, education and public awareness of the historical significance and value of bilateral ties.
During his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Party Chief and President To Lam thanked the Thai Royal Family, government and people for the warm and respectful reception extended to him during his visit to Thailand in late May.
Party General Secretary and President To Lam meets Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
Prime Minister Anutin expressed pleasure at making his first official visit to Vietnam and said General Secretary and President To Lam's recent trip to Thailand had been a great success, leaving a strong impression on the Thai people and opening up new directions for cooperation between the two countries.
The Thai leader also briefed To Lam on the successful outcomes of his talks with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. The two governments agreed on specific measures to implement high-level agreements, particularly those reached during President To Lam's visit to Thailand.
Prime Minister Anutin affirmed that Thailand views Vietnam as a close neighbor and trusted partner. He noted that his delegation included three deputy prime ministers, six ministers, military commanders and senior officials, reflecting Thailand's commitment to further strengthening and deepening bilateral relations across all sectors.
Prime Minister Anutin agreed with the strategic directions proposed by General Secretary and President To Lam and pledged to advance the "Three Connects" strategy while strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure and supply chains.
Discussing future cooperation, To Lam proposed expanding collaboration in economic development, defense and security, and people-to-people exchanges. He also called for broader engagement through all available channels and continued effective use of bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
He noted that the Communist Party of Vietnam attaches importance to relations with Thai political parties, including the Bhumjaithai Party, in order to strengthen the political foundation and long-term direction of bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Anutin expressed strong support for the major directions proposed by Party Chief and President To Lam and pledged to actively advance the "Three Connects" strategy. Thailand will work closely with Vietnam to strengthen economic, trade and investment links, improve infrastructure and logistics connectivity, and enhance supply chain integration.
He also proposed expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, the digital economy and artificial intelligence. The two countries will strive to develop balanced and sustainable trade, aiming to reach US$25 billion in bilateral trade and eventually US$50 billion in the future.
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