Vietnam and Laos are stepping into a transformative era of economic cooperation, one that is no longer defined solely by traditional trade or infrastructure projects but increasingly by the boundless potential of the digital economy. By harnessing cross-border e-commerce, the two countries are not only unlocking new opportunities for enterprises but also accelerating the flow of goods and services, boosting consumer choice, and strengthening economic resilience in a rapidly digitizing world. This shift reflects both nations’ ability to adapt to global trends and their determination to elevate bilateral cooperation to a higher, more practical, and future-oriented level.

A Landmark Workshop in Vientiane

In the bustling capital of Vientiane, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam joined forces with its Lao counterpart to host a groundbreaking workshop entitled “Supporting Enterprises in the Digital Era: Promoting Cross-Border E-Commerce between Vietnam and Laos.” The event served as more than a formal gathering—it was a symbol of the two nations’ shared commitment to integrating technology with trade, creating new engines of growth for the next decade.

The workshop brought together an impressive assembly of policymakers, business leaders, economists, and digital specialists. This convergence of expertise underlined a central message: the future of bilateral cooperation lies not just in physical trade routes and infrastructure but also in building robust digital corridors capable of connecting Vietnamese and Lao businesses to each other and to the wider region.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyễn Minh Tâm highlighted the strategic importance of e-commerce for the enduring Vietnam–Laos partnership. He noted that digital trade platforms offer the most cost-effective and direct path for businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—to reach consumers across borders. By lowering geographical and transactional barriers, e-commerce empowers even the smallest producers, from handicraft makers to agricultural cooperatives, to tap into cross-border markets once accessible only to large corporations.

The workshop made clear that businesses themselves are the real architects of this digital connectivity. Representatives from Vietnamese and Lao enterprises spoke candidly about their challenges and ambitions, underscoring the vital role of infrastructure, logistics, and technology platforms in sustaining a thriving cross-border ecosystem.

One notable voice was Mr. Đoàn Xuân Huy, General Director of Globaltech Investment, Connection, and Development Company Limited. He outlined his vision of building consumption chains that integrate products—especially OCOP (One Commune, One Product) goods and traditional crafts—into Laos’s markets. His company’s ambition is not confined to Laos alone but extends further into Thailand and China, leveraging Laos’s strategic geographic role as a transit hub.

Mr. Huy revealed that Globaltech has already taken steps to establish cooperation, identifying potential partners in logistics and technology. Among them is LaoApp, developed by Star Telecom (Unitel), a joint venture between Lao Asia Telecom and Vietnam’s Viettel. Globaltech’s goal is to connect Vietnamese and Lao products through API integration on VIVINA, its national digital platform, thus laying the foundation for a shared digital ecosystem. This would not only streamline trade but also ensure greater visibility for local products on regional markets.

From the Lao perspective, the opportunities are equally promising. Mr. Happy Sisomphone, Director of Houng Aloun Express Delivery Company, emphasized that the strong and time-tested friendship between Vietnam and Laos provides fertile soil for expanding business partnerships.

He praised Vietnam’s remarkable economic rise, noting its position as one of ASEAN’s most dynamic economies and a global manufacturing powerhouse. For Laos, which is seeking new engines of growth, Vietnamese products offer both quality and affordability—qualities well-suited to Lao consumers.

Mr. Sisomphone positioned his company as a logistics bridge, offering a complete service chain from warehousing in Laos to transportation and distribution in Vietnam. Such an integrated logistics solution, he argued, would not only meet the immediate needs of enterprises but also stimulate trade volumes in the longer term. By strengthening logistics capacity, Laos can play an active role in sustaining cross-border commerce while reaping the benefits of increased connectivity.

A recurring theme of the workshop was the need for comprehensive, practical solutions to empower SMEs. Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Ms. Dương Thị Mỹ Bình from Vietnam–Laos AZ Joint Stock Company (VLCO), one of the event’s organizers, explained that the workshop aimed to introduce a “digital toolkit” designed for enterprises navigating cross-border e-commerce.

This toolkit goes beyond simple platforms. It encompasses end-to-end solutions: user-friendly e-commerce systems, efficient logistics networks, and secure payment technologies. By integrating these tools, SMEs—often the backbone of both economies—can participate more confidently in cross-border trade, knowing that they have the infrastructure to compete and thrive.

Ms. Bình emphasized that the event should not be seen as a standalone initiative but rather as the cornerstone of a longer-term movement. By marrying technology with trade, she noted, Vietnam and Laos can carve out sustainable pathways for economic growth that benefit both sides equally.

Perhaps the most tangible milestone of the workshop was the launch of Lamo E-Wallet, a new digital payment solution set to transform financial transactions between Vietnam and Laos. Payments have long been one of the thorniest bottlenecks in cross-border e-commerce. The introduction of Lamo E-Wallet promises to resolve this challenge by enabling smoother, faster, and more secure cross-border transactions.

This innovation is more than a technical upgrade; it is a critical enabler of digital trade. By eliminating costly delays and ensuring transparent, real-time transactions, Lamo E-Wallet reduces risks for businesses while offering greater convenience for consumers. It represents a leap forward in financial inclusion, particularly for SMEs that previously struggled with complex and expensive payment systems.

The workshop in Vientiane was not just a conversation—it was a blueprint for action. By aligning digital strategies, Vietnam and Laos are moving beyond being neighbors with shared borders to becoming co-architects of a digitally integrated regional economy.

Cross-border e-commerce will serve as a cornerstone of this transformation, empowering SMEs, expanding consumer markets, and strengthening people-to-people ties. Beyond the numbers, it will enrich the daily lives of farmers, artisans, small retailers, and young entrepreneurs who can now see their products reach audiences they once only dreamed of.

As both nations embrace digital transformation, they stand at the threshold of a shared future where cooperation, innovation, and connectivity converge. With technology as the driver and mutual trust as the foundation, Vietnam and Laos are well on their way to building not just digital bridges across borders, but also long-lasting engines of growth, prosperity, and solidarity.