Vietnam, Laos strengthen economic cooperation for shared prosperity
Trade between Laos and Vietnam reached 2.25 billion USD in 2024, up 38.2% from the previous year. In particular, total trade turnover in the first five months of 2025 hit 1.6 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of 100.4%.
Vietnamese and Lao trade officials, along with other delegates, visit the Vietnamese pavilion at the trade fair. (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA)ꦆ – The Vietnamese and Lao ministries of industry and trade jointly held the opening ceremony of the 2025 Vietnam-Laos Trade Fair in Vientiane on July 17.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaythong Kommasith said the event, now in its 15th edition, has become a national-level trade exhibition that contributes to strengthening comprehensive cooperation between the two governments and peoples. He added that the fair plays an important role in promoting trade, investment, and tourism, while supporting the socio-economic development of both countries.
The minister praised the strong interest and active participation of Vietnamese and Lao enterprises in this year’s fair, reflected in the scale of their booths and the diversity of products on display. He expressed his belief that the event will further promote bilateral trade and help realise the cooperation targets set by the two countries’ leaders.
According to Malaythong, two-way trade reached 2.25 billion USD in 2024, up 38.2% from the previous year. In particular, total trade turnover in the first five months of 2025 hit 1.6 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of 100.4%.
The 2025 trade fair, running from July 17–21, features around 250 booths, of them 120 by nearly 80 Vietnamese enterprises. These firms represent diverse sectors such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, agro-forestry-fisheries and processed foods, fashion and textiles, handicrafts and furniture, and consumer goods. The exhibited products are varied in design, category and quality, meeting the consumer needs of both Vietnamese and Lao markets.
Pham Thi Hong, Deputy Director of Tien Sa Bird’s Nest Company (Da Nang city), said this was her company’s third time joining the fair, aiming to bring its products closer to Lao consumers and the international community.
Similarly, Southakon Sonvisay from Huaphanh province said his business has joined five times, hoping to promote local specialities - particularly cheo boong, a popular Lao dipping sauce - to both local and international audiences.
Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy General Director of Star Telecom (Unitel) - a joint venture between Vietnam’s Viettel and Lao Asia Telecom - highlighted Unitel’s role as Laos’ largest telecom provider with nationwide coverage. He said the fair was an opportunity to showcase its leadership in infrastructure and reaffirm its commitment to serving the Lao people, businesses, and government.
In addition to promoting Vietnam’s national image and brand, the Vietnamese business delegation also sought to expand its market presence in Laos and Thailand’s northeastern region, promote investment potential, technology transfer, and joint ventures with Lao businesses.
The 2025 Vietnam-Laos Trade Fair is a key annual event under the framework of bilateral economic cooperation. It aims to boost trade ties, enhance mutual understanding and solidarity, and deepen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos./.
The Lao Vice President asked the Central Committees of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) and the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) to continue enhancing coordination to effectively implement their 2022–2027 cooperation agreement, especially in youth exchanges and education of younger generations about the countries’ traditional ties.
Deputy PM Nguyen Chi Dung expressed his hope that Lao leaders would continue to guide relevant agencies in coordinating closely with their Vietnamese counterparts to effectively carry out assigned tasks.
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The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
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The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
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The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
