The Vietnam and Laos treaty of friendship and cooperation was signed on July 18, 1977, shortly after the two nations were entirely freed in 1975. This was done with the intention of bringing the Vietnam-Laos ties to a more comprehensive and deeper level of development.

Realizing the importance of strengthening relations and cooperation in all fields, on July 18, 1977, Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and President Kaysone Phomvihane signed the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Since then, the comprehensive cooperation relationship between the two countries has entered a new history under new conditions.

During the past 45 years, the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have been increasingly developed in both width and depth, effective and suitable to the actual situation in each field as well as each aspect and each period.

Immediately after the two countries were completely liberated in 1975, in order to bring Vietnam-Laos relations to develop comprehensively and deepen, the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation on the same day. July 18, 1977. The signing of the Treaty by the two countries is aimed at strengthening the solidarity and cohesion, the long-term cooperation relationship between Vietnam and Laos in all aspects, helping each other in the cause of national construction and defense. for the independence and prosperity of each country, contributing to preserving and consolidating peace and stability in the region and the world.

Thoongsavanh Phomvihane, Member of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Committee for External Relations of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, emphasized: "The two countries that signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 1977 are historical milestone, is a solid foundation and legal basis for consolidating and promoting the special cooperative relationship, making an important contribution to the cause of national construction and defense of each country until now.”

According to Mr. Thoongsavanh Phomvihane, the Treaty consists of 7 articles signed on the basis of deep awareness of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, fighting solidarity and unshakable friendship between the Vietnamese people. and the people of Laos, the great comradeship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party has been forged over decades of co-operation and suffering, fighting together, winning together over the aggressor, cooperating with each other. and helping each other to build the country is a precious tradition, an invincible strength of two peoples and two parties, a vivid reality, a development law of the Vietnam and Lao revolutions.

Over the past 45 years, the Treaty has become a valuable and extremely important asset, a solid legal basis for strengthening and expanding the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos in the period of the new normal; creating the basis for the two sides to sign a series of cooperation documents and agreements today.

Looking back over the past 45 years of history, we are proud to see that the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos has been increasingly consolidated and developed widely in all fields, becoming a model that can be seen in many different ways. unique in the world. The great cooperation achievements achieved today are invaluable assets of both peoples, which have always been carefully preserved, nurtured and developed by generations of leaders and people of the two countries.

Political relations always play a pivotal role, orienting the overall cooperation relationship; Existing cooperation mechanisms between the two Parties and States continue to promote their effectiveness through the frequent organization of visits, exchanges and contacts by senior leaders of the two countries.

Defense-security cooperation is the mainstay of the relationship between the two countries and has continued to achieve many important results, contributing to ensuring the security, social order and safety of each country. In the field of foreign affairs, mutual trust has been created, contributing to enhancing the position and prestige of the two countries in the region and in the international arena.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation continued to be promoted and expanded. Vietnam ranks 3rd among countries and territories investing in Laos, bilateral trade turnover averages 1 billion USD/year, growing more than 10%/year. In 2022 and the following years, the two sides will continue to increase capital to expand investment focusing on key fields such as hydropower, forestry, surveying and mining, and transportation.

Regarding culture, health, science - technology, education and training, the two countries have very specific and highly effective cooperation. To enhance the comprehensive cooperation relationship between Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam to new heights, the two sides need to continue to have mechanisms, policies and organizations to direct the effective implementation of agreements and agreements. strategic goals have been set with a broader, more comprehensive and long-term vision.

Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh emphasized: "We have also agreed to work closely to cultivate the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. In particular, strengthening political cooperation, foreign affairs and exchanges in all forms. Strengthen cooperation in defense and security to jointly solve new challenges, focusing on cooperation in protecting domestic and border security. Improve the efficiency of economic, educational, cultural, medical, scientific and technical cooperation. Strengthen infrastructure connectivity, tourism, energy cooperation, clean agriculture".

These positive results, once again affirming the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, were laid by the great President Ho Chi Minh, President Souphanouvong laid the foundation, which was carefully preserved, nurtured and developed by generations of leaders of the two Parties, go into depth and effectively in all fields, in the spirit of independence, self-reliance, equal cooperation and increasingly bring mutual benefits to both sides.

In the context of rapid and unpredictable changes in the regional and global situation, epidemics and natural disasters still have a heavy impact on all aspects of the life of the two countries, but the friendly relationship between the two countries is still very important. The great meeting, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two parties, the two states and the people of the two countries, Laos and Vietnam, have continuously developed dramatically.

The year 2022 has special significance for Vietnam and Laos. Accordingly, the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. These are events of historical significance, shining milestones, inculcating solidarity, vividly expressing the special friendship relationship. This is also an opportunity for the two countries to review the precious traditions during the heroic history years. At the same time, propagandize to the people of the two countries, especially to educate the young generation to understand more deeply about this traditional and meaningful relationship.

Speaker of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane emphasized: "Currently, hostile forces are conspiring to find all means to sabotage and distort the Laos-Vietnam relationship, thus the two parties, the two states and the people. The people of the two countries must be proactive and take extreme precautions. We must regularly pay attention to, care for and educate the young generations of the two countries so that they can deeply understand the special relationship between Laos and Vietnam, the heroic historical periods, and the merits of the outgoing generation. first, let the young generation today and in the future consider it their own political responsibility, in the cause of protecting and promoting the tradition of special relations between Laos - Vietnam, Vietnam - Laos."

Although facing many opportunities as well as facing intertwined difficulties and challenges, but with the high determination, consistent efforts of the leaders of the two parties, two states and the two peoples; The Vietnam-Laos relationship is an exemplary, loyal, and rare relationship in international relations, and will forever be an invaluable common asset of both nations.