(KPL) Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone received a courtesy visit from Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung and his delegation on July 9, 2025 in Vientiane. The visit is part of Mr. Nguyen Chi Dung’s official trip to the Lao PDR from July 9–11, his first since being appointed as Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister in February 2025.

Prime Minister Sonexay warmly welcomed the delegation and praised the visit as a significant step toward further strengthening the special solidarity, great friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam. He noted the importance of implementing the outcomes of the 47th Laos–Vietnam Cooperation Committee Meeting and the agreements of the two Politburos.

The Prime Minister also conveyed warm greetings to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the government of Vietnam, highlighting the steady progress in bilateral cooperation. He praised achievements in socio-economic development and the improvement of administrative structures in both countries. The two sides acknowledged the success of mutual visits and cooperation projects, many of which are scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

Notably, both sides celebrated the opening of Berths 1, 2, and 3 at Vung Ang Port — a historically significant milestone in Laos–Vietnam cooperation.

PM Sonexay expressed appreciation for the earlier working meeting between Deputy PM Nguyen Chi Dung and Deputy PM Saleumxay Kommasith. He emphasized the need to maintain momentum by advancing ongoing and pending projects, particularly in national defense and security, electricity cooperation, economic development, and trade and investment promotion over the next five years.

He also proposed enhancing infrastructure integration, banking and finance collaboration, and ensuring regular delegation exchanges to prepare for key upcoming anniversaries of the two parties and states in 2025.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung thanked the Lao government for the warm reception and conveyed cordial greetings from Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to closely working with Laos in realizing high-level agreements and delivering tangible outcomes, reaffirming the shared goal of deepening the special bilateral relationship.

KPL