Seventh Vietnam-Laos political consultation held in Hanoi
The seventh Vietnam-Laos political consultation took place in Hanoi on November 25 under the co-chair of Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu and his Lao counterpart Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune.
Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu (R) and his Lao counterpart Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The seventh Vietnam-Laos political consultation tookplace in Hanoi on November 25 under the co-chair of Deputy Foreign MinisterPham Quang Hieu and his Lao counterpart Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune.
The two sides expressed their delight at the positive andsustainable development of the great friendship, special solidarity andcomprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, including contributionsfrom the two foreign ministries.
They also showed their satisfaction at the results achieved in defence andsecurity cooperation, and noted that economic, trade and investment collaborationhas made positive progress as well, with two-way trade turnover topping 1.4billion USD in the first 10 months of 2022, up 28.2% year-on-year.
Attention has also been paid to cooperation in education - training,energy, transportation, agriculture, culture, tourism, and cooperation between localities.
The two officials agreed on orientations and measuresto further promote the roles of their ministries in contributing to strengtheningthe close and trustable political relations, as well as boosting bilateralcooperation.
An overview of seventh Vietnam-Laos political consultation (Photo: VNA)
They reached consensus on the continuous implementation ofthe cooperation agreement between the two ministries in the 2021-2025 period; maintenanceand effective promotion of consultation mechanisms at ministerial and deputyministerial levels; strengthening the exchange of information and experience,and coordination, especially in the study of polices and strategies on externalaffairs, economic diplomacy, consular affairs, expatriates, and border.
Regarding international and regional issues of mutualconcern, the officials agreed that in the context of complicated developmentsin the world and region, the two sides need to promote close coordination and mutualsupport at international and regional forums, especially the United Nations,ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, particularly in strategic issuesrelated to peace and stability in the region.
The Vietnamese official affirmed that Vietnam will closelycoordinate with and provide maximum support for Laos to successfully assume therole of the ASEAN Chair in 2024./.
Forty Vietnamese and Lao young military officers attended an exchange in the northern Lao province of Luang Prabang on November 18, held as part of a visit by General Luong Cuong, Chairman of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People's Army (VPA).
The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) co-held their 7th international conference on the nations’ border of peace, friendship, and cooperation for mutual development in Laos’ Savannakhet province on November 22.
A delegation from the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) led by Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan held talks with the State Audit Organisation of Laos (SAO) led by SAO President Viengthavisone Thephachanh in Vientiane on November 24.
Vietnam and Laos expect to achieve 2 billion USD in two-way trade in the near future, given that the figure surged 28.2% annually to 1.4 billion USD in ten months of this year, heard a forum held in Vientiane on November 25.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu (R) and his Lao counterpart Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune (Photo: VNA) 
An overview of seventh Vietnam-Laos political consultation (Photo: VNA) 
