On the morning of December 2, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-level Vietnamese delegation landed at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, officially beginning his working visit to Laos.

The Prime Minister will attend the high-level meeting between the two Parties and co-chair the 48th session of the Vietnam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

Warm welcome in Vientiane

img6354 2 17646449886721747037469.jpg
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrives in Vientiane, Laos. Photo: Nhat Bac

At the airport, PM Chinh was welcomed by Minister and Head of the Lao Prime Minister’s Office Bouakhong Nammavong, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, leaders of Vientiane, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh, Chief of the Laos–Vietnam Cooperation Committee Viengsan Chantha, and other officials from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On the Vietnamese side, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong, Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam, representatives from Vietnamese agencies in Laos, embassy staff, and members of the Vietnamese community were also present.

Co-chairing major events and charting strategic directions

The Vietnamese delegation attending the 48th session of the Vietnam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee and engaging in bilateral activities in Laos includes the following members:

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, who also serves as Head of the Vietnam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam–Laos Cooperation Committee.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh.

Minister of Home Affairs Do Thanh Binh.

Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Dang Hong Duc.

Deputy Chief of the Government Office Trinh Manh Linh.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam also joins the working group.

The high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party - co-chaired by both General Secretaries - remains the most crucial mechanism for bilateral political cooperation.

During the dialogue, leaders will exchange updates on each country’s political landscape, review cooperation outcomes, and outline long-term strategic orientations for Vietnam–Laos relations.

Setting the roadmap for 2026–2030 cooperation

img6360 1 17646449886081304263971.jpg
Welcome ceremony for PM Pham Minh Chinh at Wattay International Airport. Photo: Nhat Bac

The 48th session of the Vietnam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee will evaluate progress on the 2021–2025 cooperation plan and results from 2025.

Both Prime Ministers are expected to finalize plans and missions for the 2026–2030 period and the year 2026, effectively translating the conclusions from the high-level Party meeting into actionable policy.

Economic momentum and deepening trust

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet with Lao top leaders and co-chair the Vietnam–Laos Economic Forum.

His visit comes amid deepening strategic trust and political alignment between the two nations, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of their relationship.

Vietnam–Laos economic, trade, and investment ties have witnessed significant progress. In 2024, bilateral trade reached USD 2.25 billion. In the first 10 months of 2025, trade volume rose to USD 2.56 billion. Both sides aim to push two-way trade to USD 5 billion within the next two to three years.

As of April 2025, Vietnam had 267 registered investment projects in Laos, totaling USD 5.63 billion.

Many of these projects have operated successfully, contributing to Laos’s socioeconomic development, generating employment for thousands of local workers, and boosting government revenue.

Cooperation in national defense, education, culture, and tourism also continues to expand.

Tran Thuong