Vietnam, Laos to commemorate 60-year anniversary of diplomatic relations

Vietnam and Laos first established their diplomatic relationship on September 5, 1962, marking a new chapter for the two countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs Son wrote in an article published Sunday.

The two countries continued to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 1977, an important legal and political basis for the two countries to develop their relationship, Son said.

The countries’ leaders have had constant exchanges, with several cooperation projects, including the construction of a parliament building in Vientiane, a gift from Vietnam to Laos, which was opened in 2021.

Laos parliament building in Vientiane, a gift from Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Linh

Vietnam and Laos have also cooperated to fight transnational crimes and maintain peace at the border, promoting exchanges and socio-economic development along the border.

The two countries’ bilateral trade had grown by 10 percent on average each year from 2016 to 2020. Despite impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, trade between the two countries in 2021 grew by 33 percent and reached $1.37 billion. Vietnam has invested in total 214 project in Laos, with a total capital of $5.33 billion, placing third among the countries and territories that invest in Laos.

Regarding education, dozens of thousands of students have been exchanged between the two countries.

Vietnam and Laos also support and cooperate with each other on international forums like the U.N., ASEAN, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum or the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) forum.

Amid regional and global happenings, Vietnam and Laos need to maintain and foster their bilateral relations, Son said, adding that the two countries need to utilize bilateral cooperation mechanisms on all channels.