According to the announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 2, at the invitation of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Sonexay Siphandone and his wife will pay an official visit to Vietnam and co-chair the 46th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee from January 6-7.

Over the past time, the Vietnam - Laos relationship has continued to develop well. The political relationship continues to be close and trustworthy, playing a core role in guiding the overall relationship between the two countries. In particular, the two sides have coordinated well to organize the meeting between the two Politburoes, visits, meetings and contacts of high-ranking leaders of the Party, State, levels and localities; successfully organized commemorative activities during the Vietnam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year in 2022.

The two sides actively implemented the Cooperation Agreement between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs for the 2021-2025 period; coordinated to successfully organize the 8th Deputy Foreign Minister-level Political Consultation. The two sides regularly exchanged information and coordinated views on international and regional issues at multilateral forums.

Notably, in terms of investment cooperation, Vietnam has so far had 241 investment projects in Laos with a total investment capital of about 5.47 billion USD; trade turnover between the two countries in 2022 reached 1.703 billion USD, an increase of 24% compared to 2021, and in the first 7 months of 2023, it reached 959 million USD.

Currently, Vietnam has more than 400 FDI projects in Laos and these projects have been contributing to the economic and social development of Laos, especially projects in remote areas, such as infrastructure, transportation, social welfare, education and culture, helping the lives of Lao people to gradually improve and become better and better.

The two sides have supported each other in building an independent, self-reliant economy, effectively integrating into the international community; strengthening the connection between the two economies, especially in trade, investment, finance, transport infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, tourism, etc.

The Lao government is also focusing on implementing plans to develop transport and energy infrastructure projects to enhance investment and business cooperation between Laos and Vietnam, such as the Laos-Vietnam railway project and the Vientiane-Hanoi highway.