Party General Secretary, State President Tô Lâm and General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee (LPRP), President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith review the guard of honour of the Vietnam People's Army at the ceremony on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary, State President Tô Lâm on Tuesday hosted the official welcome ceremony for Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee (LPRP) and President of Laos.

The Lao leader is on a state visit to Việt Nam from September 10-13.

The visit takes place following Tô Lâm's election as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee. It is the second official trip to Việt Nam by General Secretary and President Sisoulith since the 11th National LPRP Congress in January 2021, and follows a state visit to Laos by Tô Lâm as President of Việt Nam in July 2024.

The trip is considered a highlight in Việt Nam-Laos relations as well as an important diplomatic event between their Parties and governments. It is expected to promote their traditional friendship, unity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. — VNS

Children wave the national flags of Việt Nam and Laos to welcome Party General Secretary, State President Tô Lâm and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith at the ceremony. — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

Party leader, President Tô Lâm introduce Vietnamese officials to Laos' top leader. — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

Vietnamese and Laos top leaders and their spouses at the ceremony. — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

The welcoming ceremony is held with a 21-gun salute, the highest level for a head of state.— VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hùng