Vietnamese Prime Minister Visits Laos to Strengthen Strategic Ties
Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng will visit Laos on October 8–9 to enhance economic connectivity and infrastructure following the election of new Lao officials.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng will conduct his first official visit to Laos from October 8–9, 2026, following an invitation from Lao Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith. The visit follows a series of diplomatic meetings on October 5, where Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyễn Minh Tâm delivered congratulatory messages from the Vietnamese government to newly elected Lao leaders, including Prime Minister Kommasith, National Assembly President Sonexay Siphandone, and Politburo member Thongsavan Phomvihane.
Lao Ambassador to Việt Nam Khamphao Ernthavanh identified four priority areas for strategic cohesion: economic and infrastructure connectivity, human resources development, science and digital transformation, and local-level connectivity. Central to these goals are the development of the Hà Nội–Vientiane expressway and the Việt Nam–Laos railway to improve Lao access to maritime transport.
Economic ties remain strong, with bilateral trade reaching nearly US$3 billion in 2025 and approximately $1.65 billion in the first eight months of 2026. Việt Nam continues to be a primary investor in Lao energy, mining, and agriculture. During the preliminary meetings, Thongsavan Phomvihane, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, affirmed his commitment to safeguarding the special relationship between the two nations.
