Vietnam, Laos strengthen strategic alignment as top leader visits
The visit highlights a joint push to turn high-level political trust into outcomes, with leaders focusing on action programs, cooperation agreements and long-term directions for bilateral ties at the start of new leadership terms in both countries.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and Laos are moving to deepen and concretize their “strategic alignment” as Party General Secretary To Lam pays a state visit to Laos on February 5, marking a new phase in bilateral relations.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam (R) and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane on February 5. Photos: VNA
A central focus of the visit is to advance the practical implementation of the “strategic alignment” framework, which the two General Secretaries agreed in December 2025 to incorporate into bilateral relations in order to elevate cooperation to a higher level.
Beyond reaffirming close political trust and strategic solidarity, the two sides aim to translate long-term commitments into concrete action programs, ensuring that shared vision is matched by cooperation outcomes.
A welcoming ceremony for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam held in Vientiane underscores the special significance both sides attach to the visit.
Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith presided over the ceremony, attended by Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
Along the route to the Presidential Palace, where the ceremony took place, students and residents of the Lao capital lined the streets in traditional dress, waving the national flags of both countries in a warm display of people-to-people solidarity.
Upon the motorcade’s arrival, President Thongloun Sisoulith personally greeted General Secretary To Lam at the foot of the vehicle. After receiving flowers from Lao children, the two leaders stepped onto the honor stand as the national anthems of Vietnam and Laos were played.
President Thongloun Sisoulith then invited General Secretary To Lam to review the guard of honor. The two leaders later exchanged greetings with officials from both sides, reflecting a high level of trust and close coordination between the two Parties and States.
During the visit, General Secretary To Lam is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with senior Lao leaders to review cooperation outcomes, exchange views on developments in each country and set major directions for bilateral ties in the new development stage.
He will also witness the signing and exchange of key cooperation documents between ministries, sectors and localities, creating a stronger legal foundation and fresh momentum for deeper, more practical and sustainable cooperation.
Earlier on the same day, shortly after arriving in Vientiane, General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the Vietnamese high-level delegation laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldiers, honoring Lao heroes who sacrificed for national liberation, defense and development.
Taking place at the beginning of the new terms of senior leaders in both countries, the visit carries important strategic direction, demonstrating strong political resolve to link long-term vision with concrete action and development aspirations with real-world effectiveness.
The visit provides a solid political foundation for Vietnam-Laos relations to continue deepening in quality, effectiveness and sustainability, in line with the special bond between the two countries and the trust and expectations of their peoples.
Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (2nd from right) and Chairman of National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (1st from left) join the high-ranking delegation visiting Laos.
