Laos and Vietnam expect more than 10 cooperation pacts during PM visit

Laos and Vietnam are expected to sign and exchange more than 10 cooperation documents during Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s planned two-day visit to Laos. Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavan Phomvihane said his government wanted the trip to deliver stronger economic cooperation.

The itinerary includes talks with Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith. For Hung, the journey marks his first official overseas visit on a bilateral basis since becoming prime minister. The documents would cover cooperation among the countries’ ministries, sectors and local authorities.

Thongsavan identified transport connectivity, trade and investment, and cooperation in energy, education and tourism as Laos’s priorities. He said economic links should better match the closeness of the political relationship.

The leaders are expected to discuss the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway and a proposed rail connection from Vientiane to Vung Ang port in Ha Tinh province. For the expressway’s 203.8-km Pakxan–Thanh Thuy section, Laos is speeding up compensation payments to villagers affected by the project.

Laos is seeking additional Vietnamese investment in mining, domestic processing, clean energy and hi-tech agriculture. Thongsavan urged government bodies to resolve business and investment bottlenecks more quickly.

Trade between the neighbours amounted to nearly US$3 billion in 2025, while the figure for the first seven months of 2026 was US$1.47 billion. Investment from Vietnam into Laos stood at US$590.3 million in 2025.

An investment promotion conference is also on the planned programme, with attendance expected to reach about 1,000 government and business representatives. The cooperation documents are intended to help prepare for the Laos-Vietnam Inter-Governmental Committee’s 49th meeting, scheduled for early 2027.