New chapter in traditional friendship among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

THE HANOI TIMES — Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visits to Laos and Cambodia on February 5 and 6 reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of prioritizing solidarity, trust and comprehensive cooperation with its neighboring countries, marking an important step in advancing trilateral relations in a new stage of development.

The visits were the first overseas engagements by Vietnam’s top leader in 2026 and his first external activities following the successful conclusion of the 14th National Party Congress on January 23, giving the trip particular political and diplomatic significance.

During the visits, General Secretary To Lam co-chaired a high-level meeting between the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party, as well as a trilateral meeting among the leaders of the ruling parties of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

During the visits, General Secretary To Lam co-chaired a high-level meeting between the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party, as well as a meeting among the leaders of the three ruling parties of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

These high-level engagements reaffirmed Vietnam’s top strategic priority of strengthening relations with its traditional neighbors and highlighted the enduring special solidarity among the three countries.

The meetings emphasized the historical foundation of the relationship forged through shared sacrifices in struggles for national independence, while also addressing the need for closer coordination amid increasingly complex and unpredictable regional and global developments.

They also set out major orientations for trilateral cooperation, strengthening political trust and elevating strategic coordination to safeguard each country’s core interests.

From political consensus to concrete government action

In line with outcomes agreed by the three party leaders, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Phnom Penh on February 6 to translate shared political directions into practical cooperation.

The three prime ministers noted positive momentum in trilateral cooperation and encouraging economic growth in each country, with Vietnam recording growth of 8.02%, Cambodia an estimated 6.3%, and Laos 4.2%.

Political and diplomatic coordination continued to play a central role, with defence and security remaining a key pillar, reflected in regular mechanisms among the three defence ministers and three public security ministers, as well as close coordination on border security and the fight against transnational crime.

Economically, the three sides agreed to shift from expanding scale to improving quality, efficiency and sustainability of cooperation. Priority areas include transport infrastructure connectivity, logistics and border gates, energy, telecommunications, tourism and deeper integration into regional supply chains.

They were also committed to facilitating cross-border trade, the movement of goods, services and investment, while encouraging businesses to expand cooperation in innovation, digital transformation, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, the digital economy and green development.

The future cooperation will focus on five priorities, including transport, energy, education and training, tourism and youth connectivity.

Of them, education and training were seen as a long-term foundation, with specific measures including revamped government scholarship programmes, tuition support and expanded exchanges of lecturers and students to build high-quality human resources for the next development phase.

From high-level party meetings to close coordination among the three governments, the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia relationship has once again been affirmed as more than a historical legacy but increasingly being translated into strength for national development and defence.

Regular trilateral cooperation mechanisms, adherence to the principle of not allowing any individual or organisation to use one country’s territory to undermine another’s security, and stronger economic and people-to-people linkages together form a strategic anchor for the three countries amid growing international uncertainty.

Deepening the traditional friendship among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia remains a strategic choice for the future, contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development in each country, while reinforcing solidarity and shared prosperity within ASEAN.

The state visit to Laos by Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam on February 5 was described by Lao leaders as a powerful political message, demonstrating the highest level of trust and rare special solidarity between the two Parties and States. It demonstrates continuity and priority in the special relationship between the two neighboring countries, as it comes just over two months after To Lam’s visit in December 2025, highlighting continuity, consistency and Vietnam’s top strategic priority for relations with Laos in a new development phase. The visit featured an exceptionally high-level delegation, including the prime minister, the national assembly chairman and 10 Politburo members. For the first time, three Vietnamese key leaders travelled together to Laos, underscoring the importance attached to the relationship. Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Laos reinforced special trust and solidarity between the two countries, with ceremonial arrangements highlighting the high-level priority Hanoi places on bilateral relations. Vietnam reaffirmed its consistent support for Laos’ national development, emphasizing that deepening ties is an invaluable asset and a key factor for both countries’ success. The visit focused on translating “strategic alignment” into concrete measures, with mechanisms to ensure priorities are implemented effectively within the current term. Economic cooperation was a central pillar, with both sides agreeing to strengthen linkages, accelerate strategic projects and boost trade, investment and regional development, targeting US$10 billion in bilateral trade. Education, training and high-quality human resource development were reaffirmed as long-term strategic priorities, supported by a government-level monitoring mechanism to ensure timely implementation. The visit produced tangible outcomes through the signing and exchange of cooperation documents, providing a legal framework and momentum to operationalize strategic alignment across sectors. The Laos visit was part of Vietnam’s broader regional diplomacy, followed by a state visit to Cambodia and trilateral engagements with Laos and Cambodia, aimed at reinforcing solidarity, stability and sustainable development in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Cambodia on February 6 was marked by co-chairing a high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Cambodian People’s Party, as well as a trilateral meeting with Laos. During the visit, he met senior Cambodian leaders, participated in Party-to-Party mechanisms, witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents, laid wreaths at historical monuments, attended the groundbreaking of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship School, and engaged with the Vietnamese community. The two sides reaffirmed political relations as the foundation of bilateral cooperation, agreeing to strengthen coordination for political stability, national security and deeper economic linkages. The priorities also include defence and security cooperation, including combating transnational and cybercrime. Cambodian leaders, including Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, noted the visit’s timing shortly after Vietnam’s 14th Party Congress as a sign of Vietnam’s commitment to good-neighbourliness, traditional friendship and long-term bilateral cooperation. In the trilateral context, the leaders of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos agreed to maintain regular consultations and close coordination to safeguard national interests while preserving regional peace and stability. The signing and exchange of cooperation documents for 2026-2030 and the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship School project provided tangible outcomes, strengthening the legal and practical framework for future collaboration. The visit consolidated the political foundation of Vietnam-Cambodia relations and generated new momentum for comprehensive bilateral and trilateral cooperation in support of regional peace, stability and sustainable development.