Vientiane: Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Lao-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, led a high-level briefing on Friday to outline the outcomes of the 48th Lao-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation Committee Meeting. The briefing highlighted record trade figures and unveiled a new five-year strategy aimed at deepening ties between Laos and Vietnam.
According to Lao News Agency, officials announced that bilateral trade reached $3 billion in 2025, underscoring the strong economic momentum between the two neighboring countries. Vice Minister of Finance Phonevanh Outhavong reported that Vietnam remains the largest foreign investor in Laos, with 276 projects totaling $6.21 billion in registered capital.
Investment has been concentrated in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, and agriculture, with both nations increasingly focusing on clean energy development. This includes wind power projects like Truong Son and Savan 1.
The meeting also marked a transition to the 2026-2030 Strategic Cooperation Plan, which leaders believe will elevate the bilateral relationship into a key driver of national development. Saleumxay Kommasith outlined six priority areas: strengthening political trust, improving border security, boosting infrastructure and logistics, expanding digital integration, developing human capital, and ensuring stronger oversight of major projects.
‘We must transform our political commitments into tangible results,’ he stated, emphasizing the importance of delivering concrete benefits to citizens. Officials say the new strategy is designed to reinforce the long-standing partnership between Laos and Vietnam, while supporting sustainable growth and regional stability.