Vietnamese President To Lam will pay state visits to Laos and Cambodia from July 11-13, 2024. (Photo: VOV.VN)

This is President To Lam's first overseas trip since he took office in May this year. The visit proves the solidarity and closeness among the three countries, marking a new stage of development in the Vietnam-Laos and Vietnam-Cambodia relations based on equality, mutual benefit, effective cooperation, mutual respect for each other's interests, and strategic trust.

Fostering Vietnam-Laos special relationship

President To Lam's visit to Laos takes place with the Vietnam-Laos cooperative relationship progressing well. Agreements and joint statements by senior leaders of the two Parties and Governments have been implemented and have achieved good results. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation is growing, with two-way trade turnover reaching 1.64 billion USD in 2023. In the first four months of this year, two-way trade reached 620 million USD, an increase of 10% over the same period last year. Vietnam’s ODA projects in Laos, including sustainable agriculture projects in difficult, remote localities, have improved local social security.

Some Laotians share their opinions:

"The agricultural production project has boosted commercial production and reduced hunger and poverty.”

“It has met the aspirations of local people. The project will strengthen the Laos-Vietnam special relationship.”

“Vietnam helps Laos develop agricultural policies and promote cooperation and investment in high-tech agriculture to produce clean products and manage sustainable production.”

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung (Photo: VOV)

During his visit to Laos, President To Lam, together with General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and other leaders, will review the cooperative relationship between the two Parties and countries, and discuss major orientations, policies, and measures to promote future relations and coordinate with each other at regional and global forums. President To Lam's visit shows that the Party and State of Vietnam treasure and give the highest priority to consolidating comprehensive cooperation with Laos, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung.

“The Vietnamese Party and State want to convey to the world the special, faithful, loyal, unique relationship between Vietnam and Laos. The visit affirms Vietnam’s determination together with Laos to raise bilateral ties to a new level,” Mr. Hung said.

Promoting comprehensive, sustainable cooperation with Cambodia

President To Lam's state visit to Cambodia will take place with the two countries having just celebrated the 57th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (June 24).

Over the past years Vietnam-Cambodia relations have been consistent in all fields. The fine relationship has become a valuable asset of both nations. Thanks to these good political relations, cooperation in other areas has made substantial progress.

Economic, trade, and investment cooperation is a bright spot. Vietnam is currently Cambodia's third largest trading partner and Cambodia's largest trading partner in ASEAN. Bilateral trade revenue in the first four months of this year reached 3.9 billion USD, up 16.8% over the same period last year.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sok Chenda Sophea said: “The fine relationship between Cambodia and Vietnam is evident in many fields. Senior leaders of the two countries regularly engage in delegation exchanges. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met six times in nine months to inform each other of their country’s situation and perspectives. The leaders of ministries, sectors, and localities have met regularly to discuss issues of mutual interest.”

President To Lam will hold talks and meet with all senior leaders of Cambodia to review high-level agreements and set orientations for future cooperation.