Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính leaves Hanoi for Laos on December 2 morning to attend the Việt Nam–Laos Politburos’ meeting and co-chair the 48th session of the việt Nam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI  — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính departed for Laos on the morning of December 2 to attend the Việt Nam–Laos Politburos’ meeting and co-chair the 48th session of the Việt Nam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee at the invitation of his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone.

His entourage includes Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng who is in charge of the Vietnam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee, Minister of National Defence Phan Văn Giang, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung, and Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Việt Nam–Laos Cooperation Committee Nguyễn Văn Thắng; and other ministers and officials.

The trip takes place as political ties and strategic trust between the two countries continue to deepen, reaffirming their central and overarching role in the relationship.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation has also advanced. Bilateral trade reached US$2.25 billion in 2024, and $2.56 billion in the first 10 months of 2025. Both sides aim to lift two-way trade to $5 billion over the next two to three years.

As of April 2025, Việt Nam had 267 investment projects in Laos with total registered capital of $5.63 billion.

Many of these projects have performed effectively, contributing to socio-economic development, creating jobs and raising incomes for thousands of workers, and boosting Laos’ budget revenue, particularly in telecommunications, banking, rubber cultivation and processing, and the production and processing of food, agricultural products, and dairy.

Cooperation in security and defence, education and training, culture, and tourism continues to be strengthened.

Việt Nam and Laos maintain close coordination and mutual support at regional and multilateral forums.

Both sides are also stepping up collaboration with other ASEAN members to build the ASEAN Community and preserve the grouping’s unity and consensus on strategic regional issues.

PM Chính’s trip is a key step in implementing the objectives set by the two Politburos, particularly in promoting practical cooperation and further consolidating and enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive partnership between Việt Nam and Laos.

At the 48th session, the two government delegations will review and assess the implementation of agreements under the Việt Nam–Laos cooperation plan for 2021–2025, including progress in 2025.

They will also discuss cooperation directions and tasks for 2026–2030, including those for 2026, to materialise the conclusions of the Việt Nam–Laos Politburos’ meeting.

Within the framework of the session, the two sides are set to sign a number of key cooperation documents, helping to realise the agreed partnership agenda between the two governments in the time ahead.VNA/VNS