In the "Vietnam-Laos Joint Statement," both sides are committed to implementing measures to maintain bilateral trade growth at an average annual increase of 10-15%; promoting trade activities, brand building, and distribution channels for Vietnamese and Lao products in each country to create sustainable outlets for various goods; encouraging the use of local currencies in bilateral trade and investment transactions. Vietnam will provide every possible facilitation for Laos to import and export goods through Vietnam’s seaports.

During the state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from September 10 to September 13, 2024, by Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and his spouse, along with a high-ranking delegation of Lao Party and State officials at the invitation of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Tô Lâm and his spouse, the two sides issued a "Vietnam-Laos Joint Statement."

In an atmosphere of deep friendship, special solidarity, and trust, the two sides informed each other about the situation in each Party and country; exchanged and unified orientations, policies, and measures to further deepen and effectively develop the Vietnam-Laos relationship of great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation across various fields, contributing to the successful implementation of each Party's Congress Resolution and the 2021-2030 Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Strategy. They also exchanged views on recent regional and international issues of mutual concern.

According to the Joint Statement, both sides agreed to deepen political relations, making it the core element guiding the overall relationship between the two countries. The two countries will work closely on strategic matters, guidelines, and policies related to national security and development; maintain visits and meetings between the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and countries in various forms; actively enhance exchanges on theory, information, and experience sharing on new issues in Party building, political system development, socio-economic development, ensuring macroeconomic stability, and expanding international integration. They will organize conferences and seminars on new issues arising in each Party and country; jointly research, compile, and publish books on Kaysone Phomvihane’s Thought.

Both sides agreed to make strong efforts and create a breakthrough in upgrading cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, education, science, and technology to match the stature of political relations, leveraging the strengths and potentials of each country; to vigorously and effectively implement cooperation agreements between the two governments, ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses.

They will continue to negotiate, amend, or sign new agreements to suit current conditions and create a favourable legal corridor for cooperation, especially in economic fields, including the Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation Agreement for the 2026-2030 period, and the Strategy for Cooperation in the Field of Transport for the 2026-2030 period.

Both sides will take specific measures to enhance connectivity and complementarity between the Vietnamese and Lao economies, and between the three economies of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, especially in institutional, financial, transport infrastructure, electricity, telecommunications, and tourism connectivity. They will encourage appropriate international partners to participate in cooperation and support strategic connectivity projects between the two countries.

Emphasis is placed on improving the quality and efficiency of investment cooperation, focusing on implementing key projects that ensure progress and quality; enhancing the exchange of experience in macroeconomic management; and encouraging policies that favour Vietnamese and Lao businesses to invest in sectors where both sides have potential and strengths, especially in energy (clean energy, renewable energy), digital transformation, technology, agriculture, minerals, and tourism. They will promote the development of cross-border economic zones along the East-West economic corridor.

Both sides are committed to implementing solutions to maintain bilateral trade growth at an average of 10-15% per year; to promoting trade promotion activities, brand building, and distribution channels for Vietnamese and Lao goods in each country, ensuring sustainable markets for various products and goods; and to promoting the use of local currency in trade and investment transactions. Vietnam will provide every facilitation for Laos in importing and exporting goods through Vietnamese seaports.

Both sides emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation in education, training, and human resource development. They will continue to effectively implement the Protocol on Training Cooperation between the two governments for the 2022-2027 period and promote the tasks and solutions outlined in the Plan for Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Vietnam-Laos Cooperation for 2021-2030. They will enhance short-term training for Lao officials and civil servants at all levels, especially management personnel, focusing on high-quality human resource training. They will promote skills development and vocational training cooperation at both central and local levels.

Both sides will work closely to effectively implement cooperation in other fields, such as legal and judicial matters; culture, sports, and tourism; healthcare, science, technology, and innovation; information and communication; labour and social affairs. They will accelerate the implementation of cooperative projects between the two countries.

Both sides agreed to increase timely information sharing, consultation, close cooperation, and mutual support at international and regional forums, especially within the ASEAN cooperation framework and ASEAN-led mechanisms, the United Nations, Mekong Subregion cooperation mechanisms, the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Europe Cooperation Forum, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and globally.

Both sides will work with Cambodia to effectively implement the conclusions of the three Party Heads’ meeting of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia; the Agreement between the three Prime Ministers on the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV); the Joint Declaration between the three National Assembly Presidents; actively implement the Action Plan for Connecting the Three Economies of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia by 2030; and establish new cooperation mechanisms among the three Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Planning and Investment, Transport, and Culture - Sports - Tourism. Vietnam will support and assist Laos in successfully assuming the role of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation and coordination with Mekong subregional countries, partners, and relevant international organizations in the effective, fair, and sustainable management and utilization of water and other resources. They will monitor and evaluate cross-border impacts and exchange meteorological and hydrological information, along with early warnings, to strengthen drought and flood prevention and contribute to sustainable development in the Mekong subregion, tied to the common interests of Mekong riparian countries.

Both sides agreed on and highly appreciated the successful state visits by General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith to Vietnam and by General Secretary and President Tô Lâm to Laos, marking a milestone in Vietnam-Laos relations, significantly contributing to strengthening and fostering the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, elevating the relationship to a new height for the prosperity of the people of both countries, and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and globally.