The agreement, signed during Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh’s official visit to Vientiane, marks a significant milestone in deepening the "strategic connectivity" between the two nations.

Leaders and delegates attending the event (Photo: Ngoc Trung)

During high-level talks, Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket hailed the visit as a testament to the profound friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two ministries. Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, in turn, expressed confidence that the bilateral ties would continue to serve as a bedrock for socio-economic development in both countries.

The ministers reviewed the successful implementation of the 2021-2025 cycle, noting several landmark achievements despite the challenges of the previous years.

Regarding Cultural Exchanges, the successful execution of multiple "Cultural Weeks" and border exchange programs.

Overview of the event (Photo: Ngoc Trung)

Regarding Transboundary Heritage, in July 2025, Hin Nam No National Park (Laos) received UNESCO World Natural Heritage status. Alongside Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang, it constitutes the first shared transboundary natural heritage site between the two nations. Regarding Commemorative Success, joint celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day and the 50th anniversary of Laos’s National Day in 2025.

Tourism remains a central driver of the bilateral relationship. In 2025, Vietnam solidified its position as Laos’s third-largest source market, with 1.3 million Vietnamese arrivals.

Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh and Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket formally signed the Vietnam-Laos Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Programme for 2026-2030 (Photo: Ngoc Trung)

Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh congratulated Laos on the success of "Visit Laos Year 2025," which drew 4.5 million international visitor arrivals. She emphasized that Vietnam remains a preferred destination for Lao travelers, particularly due to its coastal attractions and expanding direct flight networks.

The newly signed programme outlines a roadmap for translating high-level diplomatic agreements into tangible results:

- Major Anniversaries: High-profile cultural events will be held in 2027 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

- Heritage & Arts: Efforts will focus on the joint promotion of UNESCO sites, alongside professional exchanges in performing arts, museums, and the publishing industry.

- Connectivity: Both nations will develop "Three Countries, One Destination" products, with a specific emphasis on eco-tourism and overland travel.

- Regional Synergy: There will be enhanced coordination within regional and international frameworks, including ASEAN, UNESCO, and UN Tourism.

Leaders and delegates attending the event (Photo: Ngoc Trung)

Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh extended an invitation to Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket to attend the inaugural Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City this August.

The visit concluded with the opening ceremony of "Vietnam Cultural Week in Laos 2026" in Vientiane. This event serves as the first official activity under the new five-year plan, reaffirming culture and tourism as the primary pillars of "soft diplomacy" in the Vietnam-Laos special relationship.

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