The delegation was visiting Laos to lay a wreath and pay tribute to Xaysomphone Phomvihane, Member of the Politburo and President of the National Assembly of the Lao PDR, who passed away on 8 August 2026.
President Thongloun Sisoulith, on behalf of the LPRP Central Committee, the National Assembly, the President, the Government of the Lao PDR, the Lao Front for National Development, and the family of Mr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, expressed deep gratitude to Chairman Tran Thanh Man for leading the high-level delegation to attend the wreath-laying and tribute ceremony. He noted that this act shared in the grief of the Party, State, and multi-ethnic Lao people, while demonstrating the great friendship and consistent special solidarity between the two Parties and States.
Leaders of both nations reaffirmed that mutual support and cooperation between Laos and Vietnam remain an objective necessity and a decisive factor in the revolutionary cause of both countries. Despite complex global developments, both sides pledged to protect and foster this special, pure, and rare relationship, deepening cooperation across all fields.

President Thongloun Sisoulith praised Mr Xaysomphone Phomvihane as a key, highly capable leader of the LPRP who guided the revolutionary cause in the past, as well as the ongoing protection and development of the nation. He was highlighted as a pioneer in implementing the Party’s principled, comprehensive renewal policy, a dedicated patriot, and an outstanding leader who devoted his life to national prosperity and the well-being of the Lao people. Throughout his life, Mr Xaysomphone attached great importance to nurturing the Lao-Vietnamese relationship, placing it as a top foreign policy priority. President Thongloun affirmed that the Party, State, armed forces, and Lao people will turn their grief into concrete action by strengthening unity around the Party Central Committee and continuing the socialist path.
Chairman Tran Thanh Man, on behalf of the Central Committee, the President, the Government, the National Assembly, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, expressed profound condolences over the passing of Mr Xaysomphone Phomvihane. He described him as an esteemed leader of the Lao people who dedicated his life to national independence, freedom, and happiness. His passing, he noted, is a great loss not only for Laos but also for Vietnam, which has lost a great friend and close ally. Chairman Tran Thanh Man highlighted Mr Xaysomphone’s immense contribution to consolidating and expanding the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic partnership between Vietnam and Laos. He expressed confidence that the Lao Party, State, and people would overcome this immense grief and continue moving the country forward.
Both leaders expressed high appreciation for the historical and ongoing mutual support between the two nations and commended the progress in bilateral cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to preserving and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic partnership between Laos and Vietnam, ensuring it remains strong and everlasting.