Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh launch the Vietnam–Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022. (VNA)
On March 29, the Laos provinces of Champasak, Salavan, Xekong and Attapeu signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gia Lai province in Southern Vietnam. This agreement is part of a strategy to foster a strategic partnership among the subnational governments of the two countries.
The agreement was witnessed by Mr Silay Sisavengsouk, the Vice Chairman of the Attapeu Provincial Administration Committee, along with Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich, the Vice Chairwoman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee. The agreement covers various sectors, including education, trade, connectivity, agriculture and socio-cultural issues.
Gailai provincial government agrees to grant 20 Attapeu students scholarships each year to attend bachelor’s to doctoral programs. In healthcare, the Gailai province will supply medical specialists and train medical officers in the Attapeu Provincial Hospital each year. Economically both parties involved will open their market access in order to transport their products to exchange high-value, niche, or unique goods on both sides.
Separately, on April 1, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Savannakhet province in Laos also held talks and signed a 2026–2030 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve cooperation in investment in economic, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
HCMC pledged to offer a wide range of collaborations, including scholarship grants across higher education levels, focusing on trade integration and direct investment. Furthermore, HCMC will host the 20th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE), the 3rd Friendship Provinces and Cities Dialogue, and the Autumn Economic Forum.
Meanwhile, the Lao Government and the Laos–Vietnam Railway Co. Ltd have signed the concession agreement for the Laos-Vietnam Railway Project (“LVRP”), connecting central Laos province, Khammouane province, with Mu Gia in Quang Tri province.
These cooperations and initiatives reflect the spirit of ‘brotherhood of shared destiny’, aimed at ensuring long-term stability and development for both nations. Moreover, next year will be a monumental event as both are preparing a commemoration of the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (1962–2027) and the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (1977–2027) celebrated as the Solidarity and Friendship Year in 2027.
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