On the occasion of the official visit to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulit from October 1-3, the two countries have issued a joint statement on enhancing the relations of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the new situation.
The joint statement said during the visit, PM Thongloun Sisoulith has held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, and met with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. The two PMs witnessed the signing of eight cooperative documents.
According to the joint statement, leaders of the two countries exchanged information on the socio-economic development and external relations of their respective country, and discussed in depth directions and measures to strengthen and enhance the relations of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the time ahead.
The two sides affirmed they will continue to work closely with and support each other in the cause of national defence and development of each country, both in bilateral framework and at regional and international forums.
In the context of great fluctuations and challenges in the international and regional situations, the two sides emphasized the vital importance of the Vietnam-Laos relations of great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation which they consider an immutable rule and the motive power of the revolutionary cause of each country.
On this foundation, the two sides agreed to maintain the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels and through all channels in a more streamlined, effective and substantive manner, with emphasis on the sharing of experience and seeking solutions to difficulties and obstacles.
They again underlined the importance of close cooperation in national defence-security, and agreed to give each other’s firm support to counter increasingly diverse and complicated security-defence challenges. They reached consensus on coordination to well implement treaties and bilateral agreements on border and territory.
The two sides agreed to continue promoting and enhancing the effectiveness of economic, cultural, scientific-technological cooperation on the basis of bringing into full play each country’s strength and potential.
They highly valued the positive changes in bilateral trade relations in the recent past, and agreed to make joint efforts to further expand the ties towards a stable annual growth rate of 10-15 percent in the trade value.
The two sides paid special attention to cooperation in education-training and human resources development, agreeing to continue coordinating for the effective implementation of cooperation agreements on education and training.
They agreed to coordinate to promote cooperation in the framework of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam development triangle and effectively carry out the Action Plan for Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Economic Connectivity up to 2030 which was adopted at the 10th CLV Summit in Hanoi in March last year.
The two sides agreed to share information in a timely manner and closely coordinate with each other and with related countries and international organisations for the management and sustainable use of water resources of the Mekong River for the common interests of the peoples in the sub-region. They agreed to continue with the effective coordination and mutual support at regional and international mechanisms, especially the ASEAN, the UN, WTO, ASEM, Non-Alignment Movement and Mekong sub-region cooperative mechanisms, including the Mekong River Commission.
They affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, the rule of law, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and of settling the disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They reiterated the ASEAN’s principled stance on the East Sea which was expressed in recent statements of the grouping, especially the Joint Communiqué of the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bangkok in July, 2019.
PM Thongloun Sisoulith invited PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse to make an official visit to Laos at a convenient time. PM Phuc accepted the invitation with pleasure.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasised the need to further improve institutions and policy frameworks, develop digital infrastructure and data resources, and create the necessary conditions for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation to become new drivers of economic growth.
Prof. Huang Rihan of Huaqiao University in China’s Fujian province said the Vietnamese leader’s address highlighted three major crises currently facing the world - the crisis of the international order, the crisis of development models, and the crisis of strategic trust.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang said that alongside the robust growth of relations between the two countries, defence cooperation has continued to develop extensively and intensively, becoming increasingly practical and effective.
Adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 24, 2024, and opened for signature in Hanoi in October 2025, the convention is the first global multilateral treaty dedicated to combating cybercrime.
The visits also took place at a time when the Philippines is serving as ASEAN Chair in 2026, Singapore is preparing to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, and Vietnam is set to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2027.
Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, expressed her emotion at seeing the children’s optimism despite difficult circumstances, noting that both Vietnam and the Philippines place children at the centre of their development policies, from education, health care to child protection.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse and a high-level Vietnamese delegation departed Manila on June 1, concluding a successful state visit to the Republic of the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.
Participants reviewed rental housing demand in each area, considering different market segments and target groups. They also examined the gap between supply and demand, and pinpointed issues in policy frameworks.
Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to elevate their relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, opening a new phase of cooperation in politics, defence and security, economic ties and other key areas.
Vietnam and the Philippines on June 1 issued a Joint Statement on the Enhanced Strategic Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam’s state visit to the Philippines.
Economic cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines should move to a new level, with greater emphasis on quality, depth and substance, as the two countries seek to maximise opportunities under their newly upgraded Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse are paying state visit to the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 at the invitation of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse.
General Secretary and President To Lam encouraged the Vietnamese in the Philippines to remain united, abide by local laws, contribute practically to the homeland and continue fostering friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
By moving from crisis response to proactive risk reduction, Vietnam has positioned itself as a responsible and mature “architect” of regional peace, said a Malaysia-based expert.
The President Ho Chi Minh monument in the ASEAN Garden holds profound historical, cultural, and diplomatic significance, reflecting the friendship between Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as the solidarity within the ASEAN community.
The trip demonstrates Vietnam's high regard for its friendship and cooperation with the Philippines, as well as with ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam on May 30 met with leaders of major Singaporean corporations, technology companies, financial institutions and banks with long-standing investments and business operations in Vietnam.
General Secretary and President Lam expressed his hope that the community will remain united, preserve the Vietnamese language and cultural identity, and strengthen ties with the homeland.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in emerging and high-potential fields, including digital transformation, green economy, clean energy transition, new technologies, innovation, smart finance, supply chain resilience, financial centre development and food security.
At the A*STAR Model Factory, one of Singapore’s flagship research and application facilities for smart industry, innovation and digital transformation in production, General Secretary and President Lam expressed his impression of Singapore’s approach in creating conditions for enterprises to directly test technologies before making large-scale investments.