Strengthening and nurturing the special Viet Nam-Laos relationship

Prioritizing the special solidarity between Viet Nam and Laos

This official visit to Laos marked National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's first regional overseas trip as the head of the legislative body. Taking place just before AIPA-45, hosted by Laos, the visit provided an excellent opportunity to enhance strategic trust, expand parliamentary cooperation, and reaffirm Viet Nam's commitment to proactive and comprehensive international integration.

The visit also underscored the National Assembly of Viet Nam’s active and substantive contributions to AIPA, including its support for Laos as the AIPA Chair, its efforts to strengthen ASEAN’s unity and centrality, and its role in fostering partnerships between AIPA and external stakeholders. Additionally, it emphasized Viet Nam's dedication to bolstering ties with member and observer parliaments of AIPA.

The visit reaffirmed Viet Nam’s prioritization of its special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, highlighting unwavering support for Laos’s endeavors in national course of defense, construction, reform, and development.

During the visit, Man held talks with Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane, met with General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, and had discussions with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. Both sides expressed satisfaction that the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam have been increasingly strengthened and are continuously evolving despite the continued complexities and unpredictable developments in global and regional affairs, and the numerous challenges both nations face

Both sides affirmed that the solidarity and mutual assistance between their respective Parties, States, and Parliaments are objective factors, historical imperatives, and one of the greatest and most vital sources of strength for the cause of nation-building and defense for each country. Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Vu Hai Ha stated that Lao leaders highly value the cooperation between the two Parliaments and legislative bodies, particularly through sharing experiences, exchanging delegations, enhancing coordination in oversight, and jointly holding discussions to exchange legislative and oversight practices, as well as decision-making on important matters. The Lao side also expressed appreciation for the experience shared by Vietnam regarding constitutional amendments and law-making.

Notably, during the visit, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and National Assembly President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Saysomphone Phomvihane, witnessed the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Vietnamese and Lao National Assemblies. This Agreement aims to strengthen the oversight of agreements signed by the two countries across all areas.

Deepening and enhancing cooperation

During the meetings, talks and dialogues, Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Lao leaders praised the progress in bilateral cooperation across various fields. They also engaged in open and honest discussions to agree on future directions for implementing their high-level agreements effectively, thereby deepening and enhancing the Viet Nam-Laos relationship.

In a meeting with President of Lao State Audit Organization (SAO) Viengthavisone Thephachanh, Man emphasized the close long-standing steadfast friendship between Viet Nam and Laos as well as the special bond between the two Supreme Audit Institutions since formation of SAO in 1998. He strongly recommended two agencies continue strengthening their comprehensive collaboration to address professional and technical needs, particularly in training and capacity-building for Lao auditors, to be on a par with the special Viet Nam-Laos relationship. He urged mutual support to elevate their standings in international auditing organizations, benefiting both sides and the global auditing community.

President Viengthavisone Thephachanh affirmed the close cooperation between the two Supreme Aaudit Institutions, which has aligned with signed agreements. Viet Nam’s SAO has assisted Laos in human resources training and professional development. Furthermore, Laos actively supports Viet Nam in regional and international forums and looks forward to further collaboration in fiscal discipline and economic development.

Viengthavisone Thephachanh affirmed that, in recent times, the two audit agencies have closely implemented cooperative activities in accordance with the signed Memorandum of Understanding. SAV has supported its Lao counterpart by providing training for human resources and organizing workshops to enhance the professional and technical skills of SAO’s audit staff. The SAO’s President also emphasized that its organization has always supported and actively collaborated with the SAV at regional and international forums. Additionally, Laos expressed its desire to share experience in audit, particularly in tightening fiscal discipline and governance, which contributes to the socio-economic development of the country.

Expanding trade and economic cooperation

Both sides acknowledged that national bilateral trade turn-over remains modest compared to the potential and strong political ties between the two countries. They agreed to pursue measures to boost two-way trade in the coming years.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam remarked that the visit of Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the high-ranking delegation was highly significant in elevating the special Viet Nam-Laos solidarity to new heights, benefiting both peoples and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond.