Vietnam and Laos deepen strategic partnership at ASEAN Future Forum

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone visited Vietnam from 7‑9 June for an official trip that coincided with the third ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi. He met Vietnamese leaders including Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. The discussions highlighted the "special friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion" between the two countries and resulted in four bilateral agreements covering finance, ethnic and religious affairs, education and transport, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on transport cooperation for 2026‑2035.

Both sides also pledged to advance infrastructure projects such as the Hanoi‑Vientiane highway and the Vung Ang‑Vientiane railway, and to strengthen defence, security and cooperation against trans‑national crime. The ASEAN Future Forum, hosted by Vietnam, brought together leaders from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Timor‑Leste and other regional actors to discuss peace, prosperity, a people‑centred agenda and topics such as AI governance, resilience and energy security.

The visits and agreements underscore a continued effort to cement a unique, strategic partnership between Vietnam and Laos while contributing to broader ASEAN cooperation.