Vietnam and Laos agree to enhance defence cooperation

The agreement was reached during talks in Vietnam’s Nghe An province on July 10 between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang and his Lao counterpart Khamliang Outhakaysone as part of the third Vietnam-Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange.

Expanding practical defence cooperation

During the talks, the two ministers reviewed recent cooperation and agreed on a number of priorities aimed at making bilateral defence ties more substantive and effective.

Gen. Giang described the Border Defence Friendship Exchange as a distinctive cooperation model that has translated the special strategic relationship between the two Parties, two States and two militaries into practical activities.

He said the programme has strengthened political trust while fostering closer ties between border protection forces, local authorities and communities on both sides of the frontier, contributing to the shared goal of building a peaceful, friendly, stable and cooperative border.

Reviewing bilateral cooperation, the Vietnamese minister said defence collaboration had continued to serve as one of the most important pillars of Vietnam-Laos relations.

The two sides have maintained high-level exchanges, regular defence dialogue mechanisms, strategic information sharing, personnel training, defence industry cooperation and coordination between border management forces.

Based on the defence cooperation protocol and the 2026 defence cooperation plan already signed, Gen. Giang proposed that both sides continue prioritising senior-level exchanges, expand military education and training, promote defence industry and military trade cooperation, and strengthen coordination within multilateral defence frameworks.

Strengthening border security and strategic connectivity

The Vietnamese minister also highlighted the strategic importance of the Thanh Thuy (Nghe An)-Nam On (Bolykhamxay) border crossing, which will connect the future Hanoi-Vientiane expressway.

According to him, the route will not only boost economic development but also improve defence and security connectivity, facilitate people-to-people exchanges and support Laos' strategy of expanding transport access to the sea.

Regarding border cooperation, both sides agreed to further enhance joint patrols, intelligence sharing and cooperation in combating transnational crime, while strengthening the protection of border markers and expanding twinning programmes between border guard stations and neighbouring communities.

Laos reaffirms commitment to special relationship

Gen. Outhakaysone for his part described the third Border Defence Friendship Exchange as vivid evidence of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

He said defence cooperation during the first half of 2026 has produced positive results across multiple areas, including delegation exchanges, institutional cooperation, officer training, infrastructure support projects in Laos and people-to-people exchanges in border areas.

Welcoming Vietnam’s proposals, the Lao Defence Minister called for continued efforts to educate younger generations about the two countries' special relationship, expand military training cooperation, intensify joint border patrols, preserve historical sites and coordinate activities marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in 2027.

At the conclusion of the talks, both sides pledged to fully implement existing defence agreements and further deepen bilateral defence ties as a cornerstone of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Lao Defence Minister visits Vietnam for border defence friendship exchange

VOV.VN - Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Khamliang Outhakaysone arrived in Vietnam on July 10 to participate in the third Vietnam–Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange.