Vientiane: Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone received a courtesy visit from Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung and his delegation on July 9, 2025. The visit is part of Mr. Nguyen Chi Dung's official trip to the Lao PDR from July 9-11, marking his first visit since his appointment as Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister in February 2025.

According to Lao News Agency, Prime Minister Sonexay warmly welcomed the delegation and viewed the visit as a crucial step toward further strengthening the special solidarity, great friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam. He emphasized the importance of implementing the outcomes of the 47th Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee Meeting and the agreements of the two Politburos.

The Prime Minister conveyed greetings to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the government of Vietnam, noting the steady progress in bilateral cooperation. He acknowledged achievements in socio-economic development and administrative structure improvements in both countries. Both sides recognized the success of mutual visits and cooperation projects, with several set for completion by the end of 2025.

Significantly, both countries celebrated the opening of Berths 1, 2, and 3 at Vung Ang Port, which stands as a historically important milestone in Laos-Vietnam cooperation.

PM Sonexay expressed his appreciation for the earlier meeting between Deputy PM Nguyen Chi Dung and Deputy PM Saleumxay Kommasith, highlighting the importance of advancing ongoing and pending projects. He emphasized the need for cooperation in national defense and security, electricity, 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 anniversaries of the two parties and states in 2025.

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