On October 15, 2024, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos, Nguyen Minh Tam, shared insights with the Vietnam News Agency about the deepening partnership between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the National Assembly of Laos. This interview coincided with the official visit of Tran Thanh Man, Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, to Laos from October 17 to 19, 2024. The visit also included his participation in the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45).

Vietnamese Ambassador, Nguyen Minh Tam

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam emphasized that this visit is the first official trip to Laos by Chairman Tran Thanh Man in his new role. It aims to reinforce the strategic agreements established by the high-level leaders of both the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. The visit underscores Vietnam’s unwavering commitment to the comprehensive partnership with Laos, rooted in their historic ties of friendship and mutual support. Additionally, the visit seeks to enhance trust, evaluate cooperation outcomes, and develop effective measures to strengthen bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation. The discussions also include regional and global issues of mutual concern.

Taking place right before Laos hosts the 45th General Assembly of AIPA, this visit provides an opportunity to solidify strategic trust and expand inter-parliamentary cooperation. It also affirms Vietnam’s active participation in multilateral diplomacy, showcasing its commitment to AIPA. The visit reinforces Vietnam’s support for Laos as the AIPA Chair, with the goal of strengthening ASEAN’s unity and partnerships, while also enhancing Vietnam's relations with other AIPA members and observers.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam highlighted the importance of further strengthening Vietnam-Laos parliamentary relations amid evolving regional and global dynamics. Both parliaments have consistently maintained close, coordinated, and effective cooperation, contributing significantly to the broader Vietnam-Laos relationship.

The President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Saysomphone Phomvihane, and the President of the National Assembly, Trần Thanh Mẫn.

Looking forward, both national assemblies will focus on collaboration in legislation, supreme supervision, and national decision-making. Key priorities include implementing the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Strategy for 2021-2030 and the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Agreement for 2021-2025. Continued experience-sharing conferences will focus on various parliamentary functions, including National Assembly sessions, the Standing Committee, and specialized committees. These efforts aim to provide practical insights for legislative development and decision-making processes.

Enhanced exchanges between friendship groups, female parliamentarians, and young parliamentarians, as well as delegations from provincial assemblies and other entities, will be a focal point of bilateral efforts. Cooperation in human resource development, particularly in training and nurturing high-quality management personnel, remains a strategic priority for both national assemblies.

Both parliaments will also work together at regional and international forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), AIPA, the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF), among others. These collaborative efforts aim to enhance Vietnam’s and Laos’ roles and status in regional and global affairs.

Moreover, the parliaments of Vietnam and Laos are co-authoring and preparing a book titled "50 Years of Relations between the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic – Comprehensive Cooperation and Development." This book will serve as an important resource, educating the public about the strong Vietnam-Laos parliamentary relationship, thereby strengthening public awareness of this unique and exemplary bilateral bond.

Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam expressed confidence that Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s visit and participation in AIPA-45 will further strengthen the Vietnam-Laos friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation. He emphasized that the Vietnam-Laos relationship stands as a rare model of inter-state relations globally.