HCMC – Vietnam and Laos have agreed to shift the focus of their bilateral relationship from traditional friendship to more substantive, results-oriented economic cooperation, with enhanced transport connectivity serving as a key driver for achieving bilateral trade of US$10 billion by 2030.
The agreement was reached during the official visit to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone from June 7 to 9, during which he is also attending the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in Hanoi.
The visit is made at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. Leaders of the two countries said the visit reflects their commitment to deepening the Vietnam-Laos Comprehensive Partnership and strengthening strategic ties at the bilateral, subregional, and regional levels.
At talks between the two prime ministers on June 7, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing the longstanding friendship and special solidarity between the two neighboring countries. As economic ties continue to deepen, Vietnam’s investment in Laos reached around US$582 million in the first quarter of 2026, more than quadrupling from a year earlier.
Vietnam currently has 289 investment projects in Laos with total registered capital of around US$6.6 billion. The two sides agreed to prioritize major connectivity projects, including the Hanoi–Vientiane Expressway and the Vung Ang–Vientiane railway, which are expected to support Laos’s ambition of becoming a regional logistics hub while improving its access to seaports.
The two governments emphasized that the next phase of cooperation will focus on shared economic development and strategic integration rather than relying solely on traditional ties. Vietnam pledged continued support for Laos in strengthening its role as a regional transit and logistics center through coordinated policies, greater transparency, and a more favorable business environment for enterprises from both countries.
Beyond transport infrastructure, cooperation is expected to expand into so-called “soft infrastructure” areas, including finance, e-commerce, digital transformation, and human resource development.
Following the talks, the two sides witnessed the exchange of four cooperation agreements covering transportation, education, finance, ethnic affairs, and religious affairs. The agreements are expected to provide an important legal framework for bilateral cooperation during the 2026-2030 period.
Vietnam and Laos also agreed to strengthen collaboration in emerging sectors such as sustainable agriculture and innovation, laying the groundwork for reaching their target of US$10 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
