VN has handed over a population management and citizen identification system to Laos, where more than 400,000 electronic ID cards have already been issued with Vietnamese technical assistance, marking a major step in bilateral digital cooperation.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith held talks in Vientiane on October 8, following an official welcoming ceremony at the Lao Prime Minister's Office.
Kommasith welcomed Hung on his first official visit to Laos as head of the Vietnamese Government, describing the trip as particularly significant in reflecting the high level of political trust and enduring ties between the two countries, their ruling parties and peoples.
Hung expressed his pleasure at making his first official visit to Laos in his new role and becoming the first foreign leader to visit the country following its recent leadership appointments and Kommasith's assumption of office.
He thanked the Lao Party, Government and people for their longstanding friendship, solidarity and wholehearted support for Vietnam.
Praising the Lao Government's efforts to maintain political stability, national defense and security while strengthening macroeconomic stability, Hung reaffirmed Vietnam's willingness to assist Laos within its capabilities.
Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith welcomes Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung during his official visit to Laos. Photo: Government Portal.
He highlighted opportunities to share Vietnam's experience in macroeconomic management, public finance and budgeting, institutional reform, infrastructure development and human resource training.
During their talks, the two leaders briefed each other on developments in their respective countries, upcoming development priorities and plans to implement resolutions adopted at their national Party congresses.
Both sides agreed that political trust should remain the cornerstone of bilateral relations, providing direction for cooperation across all sectors.
The Prime Ministers welcomed the positive and comprehensive progress in Vietnam-Laos relations and reaffirmed that their special relationship remained a top priority in each country's foreign policy.
Defense and security cooperation will continue to be a key pillar of bilateral ties.
The two governments agreed to strengthen coordination in maintaining national security, political stability, public order and social safety, while stepping up efforts to combat transnational crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling and high-tech crime.
They also pledged closer cooperation in managing and protecting their shared border, alongside expanding collaboration in emerging areas such as the defense industry and cybersecurity.
On economic cooperation, both leaders identified investment as a bright spot in bilateral relations, with Laos becoming the leading overseas investment destination for Vietnamese businesses.
The two countries agreed to encourage investment in higher-value-added sectors while improving transport connectivity, infrastructure, logistics networks and border crossings.
They also committed to developing specific implementation roadmaps and priority projects aimed at raising bilateral trade to $5 billion, with a longer-term target of $10 billion annually.
Vietnam to fund two schools in Laos worth a total of $2 million
The two Prime Ministers welcome the positive and comprehensive development of bilateral relations, reaffirming that the special Vietnam-Laos relationship remains a top foreign policy priority. Photo: Government Portal.
The two Prime Ministers also discussed outstanding difficulties and obstacles affecting economic cooperation.
They agreed to accelerate major projects, address regulatory and administrative barriers, and improve the effectiveness of business investment between the two countries.
Education, training and human resource development featured prominently in the discussions.
Hung reaffirmed that Vietnam would continue supporting Laos in training government officials, specialists and highly skilled workers.
He announced that Vietnam would fund the construction of two schools in Laos, one in Houaphanh province and the other in Champasak province, with a combined value of $2 million.
The initiative is intended to contribute to education, training and human resource development in Laos.
Hung also invited Kommasith to attend the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit and the Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) Cooperation Summit, both scheduled to take place in Vietnam in November.
Later that afternoon, the two Prime Ministers attended a ceremony launching construction of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship University.
The two Prime Ministers attend the launch ceremony for construction of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship University, a symbolic project aimed at strengthening educational ties and fostering friendship between future generations. Photo: Government Portal.
The project, jointly organized by Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training and Laos' Ministry of Education and Sports, was described by both sides as a symbolic undertaking that would strengthen educational connections and nurture friendship between future generations.
The two leaders also attended the handover ceremony for Laos' population management and citizen identification system.
Developed through cooperation between the public security ministries of Vietnam and Laos, the project was presented as a gift reflecting the special relationship between the two countries, their ruling parties and peoples.
With technical assistance from Vietnamese specialists, the Lao Ministry of Public Security has issued more than 400,000 electronic citizen identification cards to Lao nationals aged 15 and above.
The country has also introduced LAeID, an electronic identification application designed to support its digital identity system.
The handover marks an important milestone in cooperation between the two countries in population management, digital identification and public administration.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and other delegates attend the handover ceremony for Laos' population management and citizen identification system. Photo: Government Portal.
Vietnam and Laos exchange 11 cooperation documents
Prime Ministers Le Minh Hung and Saleumxay Kommasith also witnessed the exchange of 11 important cooperation documents covering infrastructure, digital security, education, finance, energy and local government partnerships.
The documents included:
Laos-Vietnam Friendship Road: A cooperation agreement between the governments of Vietnam and Laos on the friendship road project.
Population management and citizen identification: Handover minutes between the Vietnamese and Lao ministries of public security for Laos' population management and citizen identification system.
Cybersecurity cooperation: A memorandum of understanding between the Cybersecurity Department under Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security and the Cybersecurity Department under Laos' Ministry of Technology and Communications.
Laos-Vietnam Friendship University: An intergovernmental agreement on the university project.
Judicial cooperation: The 2027 cooperation program between the justice ministries of Vietnam and Laos.
Petroleum supply infrastructure: A memorandum of understanding between the two governments on developing petroleum supply infrastructure.
Financial cooperation: An agreement between Vietnam and Laos on cooperation in the financial sector.
Ethnic and religious affairs: A cooperation agreement between Vietnam's Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and the Lao Front for National Development.
Hai Phong-Vientiane cooperation: A friendship and cooperation agreement for 2026-2030 between the People's Committee of Hai Phong city and the Vientiane Provincial Administration Committee.
Hai Phong-Oudomxay cooperation: A friendship and cooperation agreement for 2026-2030 between the People's Committee of Hai Phong city and the Oudomxay Provincial Administration Committee.
Ninh Binh-Oudomxay cooperation: A memorandum of understanding on friendship and cooperation for 2026-2030 between the People's Committee of Ninh Binh province and the Oudomxay Provincial Administration Committee.
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