Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith held talks in Vientiane in April

Laos and Vietnam are the neighbors in Indochina sharing the Mekong River and leaning on the Truong Son range. They have long-lasting close ties and have supported each other in the past national liberation struggles and current national development.

Rare, special relationship

“In the world’s revolutionary history, there have been several models of proletarian internationalism but there has been no other such special, everlasting solidarity and friendship”, said President of the Lao Revolutionary People’s Party Kayson Phomvihanabout the Vietnam-Laos relationship.

Vietnam-Laos relations entered a new period of development after 1975 when Vietnam was unified and the Lao Revolutionary People’s Party was founded.  The two countries signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 1977 to strengthen bilateral comprehensive cooperation.

President of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association Vilayvonge Budakhame said: “The Vietnam-Laos relationship is rare and special. Leaders of both countries treasure bilateral ties and pay attention to educating their younger generations about this close bond.”

Under the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation, the two sides pledged to cooperate comprehensively to boost their development and prosperity. The agreement serves as a basis to expand relations in politics, national defense, security, diplomacy, economics, investment, education and training. In the last 40 years, economic cooperation has been the driving force for bilateral cooperation in other fields. Ta Minh Chau is Vice President of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association: “Both sides have paid special attention to boosting economic cooperation and worked closely to match the growth of bilateral political ties and the potential of the two countries. Laos has licensed 408 Vietnamese investment projects. Bilateral trade has increased steadily over the year and reached 823 million USD last year.”

Cooperation in education, training, national defense and security has been fostered. In the last 15 years, the Vietnamese government has supported the training of 14,000 Lao personnel.

Bilateral ties constantly strengthened

2017 is a special year in the Vietnam-Laos relationship as it marks the 55^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 40^th anniversary of the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.

Lao National Assembly Speaker Pany Yathotou said: “Despite rapid changes in the region and the world, the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have been fostered for the prosperity and happiness of the two countries and peoples. We promise to accompany our Vietnamese comrades in bolstering our great ties, and special solidarity and the comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and peoples.”