Vietnam and Laos deepen judicial cooperation

The agreement was reached during talks in Hanoi on June 16 between Vietnamese Minister of Justice Hoang Thanh Tung and Lao Minister of Justice Khamphan Phommathat, who is visiting Vietnam to attend the 7th expanded conference of justice authorities of Vietnam-Laos border provinces.

The two ministers exchanged views on socio-economic development in their respective countries, the outcomes of recent Party congresses, and future development priorities. Tung noted that Vietnam is focusing on achieving its development goals for 2030 and its vision for 2045, with institutional reform identified as one of the country’s key strategic breakthroughs.

The two sides agreed that judicial cooperation between Vietnam and Laos has continued to develop effectively, making practical contributions to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

Regarding sector-specific cooperation, both ministries pledged to implement their cooperation agreement for the 2026–2030 period, focusing on lawmaking and legal system development, law enforcement, judicial reform, digital transformation, and the training of legal professionals.

Vietnam and Laos will also strengthen coordination in implementing a technical assistance project funded by the Vietnamese Government to support the Lao Ministry of Justice in enhancing the capacity of its legal and judicial workforce.

In legal education and training, the two sides agreed to continue promoting the Master of Laws programme for officials of the Lao Ministry of Justice at Hanoi Law University, while expanding cooperation between legal training institutions in both countries, including the Judicial Academy of Vietnam and the National Institute of Justice of Laos.

The ministers also highlighted the 7th expanded conference of justice authorities of Vietnam-Laos border provinces as a successful model of bilateral cooperation, helping strengthen coordination in civil status registration, nationality matters, legal education, legal aid, mutual legal assistance, and civil judgment enforcement.

On multilateral cooperation, both sides agreed to enhance information sharing, consultations, and mutual support at international forums. The Vietnamese Ministry of Justice also invited its Lao counterpart to participate in the ASEAN Law Forum scheduled for August 2026, which will focus on sharing experiences and promoting digital transformation in legal and judicial services.

Speaking at the event, Lao Minister of Justice Khamphan Phommathat praised Vietnam’s development achievements and reaffirmed Laos’ appreciation for Vietnam’s support in legal development, personnel training, and judicial reform.

The Lao side also pledged to work closely with Vietnam to complete procedures for implementing the technical assistance project and to coordinate the successful organisation of future border justice conferences and follow-up activities.

Concluding the talks, the two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to deepening judicial cooperation and effectively implementing high-level agreements, thereby further strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Laos.

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