HCMC - The Party General Secretary and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, and his spouse arrived in HCMC this morning, September 12, as part of his four-day state visit to Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the high-ranking Lao delegation was greeted by Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and secretary of the HCMC Party Committee.

Other officials attending the welcome ceremony at the airport included those from the city's Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee.

The top Lao leader is slated to visit Nha Rong Wharf and meet with current and former Vietnamese leaders.

The Vietnam visit is made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam and his spouse.

In Hanoi, Lam and Sisoulith discussed domestic situations, shared views on regional and international issues, and agreed on future directions for strengthening the Vietnam-Laos partnership. Lam expressed confidence that the visit would further enhance bilateral relations and reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to fostering the great traditional relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two peoples of Laos and Vietnam. Both leaders agreed to strengthen defense and security cooperation, ensuring mutual support in addressing emerging security challenges. They pledged to effectively implement existing defense and security cooperation plans.