General Secretary To Lam will pay his first state visit of the new term to Laos on February 5, at the invitation of Lao President and Party General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith. The trip marks a strong political signal reaffirming Vietnam’s consistent, top-level commitment to its special relationship with Laos.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized that the visit comes at a particularly significant moment - just weeks after the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the 12th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Symbolism and strategic trust

Mr. To Lam’s choice of Laos as the first country to visit in his new term - coinciding with Laos' first reception of a state guest after its own Party Congress - underscores the unique depth of bilateral ties. According to Cuong, this move reflects not only tradition and political continuity but also strategic priority at the highest level.

The visit aims to reaffirm the time-tested solidarity, loyalty, and mutual trust that have shaped Vietnam–Laos relations through decades of shared struggle and development.

The two sides are expected to hold comprehensive talks, reviewing their domestic situations and evaluating recent cooperation. They will jointly outline major strategic directions for bilateral ties in the new development phase.

Defining “strategic linkage” for modern cooperation

One of the visit’s most significant outcomes will be to further define and implement the concept of “strategic linkage” - an elevated form of bilateral coordination that Mr. To Lam and Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith agreed to institutionalize in December 2025.

Deputy Minister Cuong noted that this goes beyond diplomatic symbolism. The idea of strategic linkage involves enhanced connectivity and mutual reinforcement in security, development, and international integration - underpinned by a framework for concrete action.

Vietnam and Laos are expected to sign several new cooperation documents among key ministries, agencies, and local governments. These agreements aim to provide a stronger legal foundation and new momentum for translating high-level commitments into measurable outcomes.

From depth of history to depth of development

Over the years, Vietnam–Laos relations have consistently progressed across all sectors. Bilateral trade reached a record $3 billion in 2025, while Vietnamese investment in Laos surged more than seven-fold compared to the previous year - bringing cumulative registered capital to $6.21 billion across 276 projects. Vietnam remains among Laos' top foreign investors.

Other areas such as education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges have also deepened, helping to sustain a vibrant and multidimensional relationship.

According to Cuong, the shift from “broad-based” to “in-depth” cooperation signals the two nations’ intention to strengthen efficiency and generate more tangible results. The visit is expected to accelerate this trend by aligning political vision with a shared development agenda.

A solid political foundation for long-term partnership

Deputy Minister Cuong believes the visit will be a milestone in bilateral ties, providing new political impetus and opening a new chapter in strategic partnership.

It reflects both countries’ determination to translate their special historical bond into a forward-looking, results-driven alliance grounded in mutual trust and shared aspirations.

Taking place in the earliest days of a new leadership term, the visit also demonstrates Vietnam’s resolve to embed strategic vision into concrete policy - and to fuse its developmental goals with a reliable, long-standing friendship.

As both countries navigate complex regional and global shifts, a reinforced Vietnam–Laos partnership is seen as a pillar of stability and mutual resilience.

Tran Thuong