Vietnamese President Embarks on State Visit to Laos and Cambodia
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: President Tô Lâm is set to embark on his first overseas trip since taking office, on a state visit to Laos and Cambodia from July 11-13. The visit comes at the invitation of Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt highlighted the significance of this visit, underscoring its importance in strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Việt Nam, Laos, and Cambodia. He emphasized that the visit demonstrates Việt Nam’s commitment to fostering close ties with its neighboring countries and advancing mutual interests.
The visit aims to implement high-level agreements and outcomes from annual meetings between the Politburo of the Communist Party of Việt Nam and the Politburo of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, as well as the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party. It is expected to mark a new phase in Việt Nam-Laos and Việt Nam-Cambodia relations, promoting equality, mutual benefit, and strategic trust.
Việt noted that the relationships between Việt Nam and its neighbors are developing comprehensively, with party-to-party cooperation playing a key role. Defence and security cooperation has become a strong pillar, contributing to stability and security along shared borders. Economic, investment, and trade cooperation are progressing positively, enhancing connectivity and improving livelihoods in border areas.
Việt Nam remains a major investor and trading partner for both Laos and Cambodia. In Laos, Việt Nam has 255 valid investment projects worth $5.5 billion, while in Cambodia, Việt Nam has 205 valid investment projects totaling $2.94 billion. Educational and training cooperation also receives special attention, with an increasing number of exchange students contributing to each country’s development and fostering cultural ties.
During the visit, President Tô Lâm is expected to hold talks with senior leaders of both countries, review high-level agreements, and set directions for future collaboration. The visit aims to deepen the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Việt Nam and Laos, and strengthen the good neighborly relations and sustainable cooperation between Việt Nam and Cambodia. It will also promote cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as ASEAN and the Mekong sub-regional mechanisms.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyễn Bá Hùng emphasized the need to maintain and promote special ties by implementing high-level agreements, enhancing economic cooperation, and improving human resources development. The visit is anticipated to create new momentum for deepening and strengthening bilateral relations, contributing to regional stability and prosperity.
