Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (right) and Politburo member and Standing Member of the Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Vilay Lakhamfong at their meeting on October 14 (Photo: VNA)

Viet Nam gives top priority to relations with Laos: PM

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung reaffirmed Viet Nam's strong support for Laos' renewal, nation-building and development, expressing its desire to work with Laos to translate high-level agreements into concrete actions, strengthen economic ties and infrastructure connectivity, and promote practical cooperation projects that benefit the people of both countries.

Viet Nam always attaches importance to and gives top priority to its great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion with Laos, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said at a reception in Hanoi on October 14 for Politburo member and Standing Member of the Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Vilay Lakhamfong.

PM Hung reaffirmed Viet Nam's strong support for Laos' renewal, nation-building and development, expressing its desire to work with Laos to translate high-level agreements into concrete actions, strengthen economic ties and infrastructure connectivity, and promote practical cooperation projects that benefit the people of both countries.

He congratulated the Lao Party, State and people on their recent important achievements, expressing confidence that under the leadership of the LPRP, Laos will successfully implement the resolution of its 12th National Party Congress and the 2026–2030 five-year socio-economic development plan.

Welcoming positive developments in bilateral relations, PM Hung noted that cooperation has become more innovative, substantive and effective. He called on both sides to improve the implementation of high-level agreements and translate the spirit of strategic cohesion into tangible projects and benefits.

He urged the two countries to maintain regular high-level exchanges and contacts at all levels, effectively implement the Vietnam–Laos Cooperation Strategy for 2021–2030, the bilateral governmental cooperation agreement for 2026–2030 and other commitments, while enhancing consultations and sharing development experience.

Regarding key joint projects, the PM called for faster progress on transport links, including the Hanoi–Vientiane expressway and the Vientiane–Vung Ang railway, as well as energy connectivity projects. He also stressed the need to launch the Laos–Vietnam Friendship University project soon.

He suggested the two sides further strengthen defense and security cooperation, build a peaceful, friendly, stable and developing border, and make breakthroughs in economic, trade and investment ties and connectivity between their economies. Cooperation in education and training, science and technology, culture, tourism and local-level exchanges should also be expanded, alongside mutual support at regional and international forums, particularly the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations and Mekong subregional cooperation mechanisms.

Highlighting the significance of 2027, which will mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam–Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, PM Hung called for thorough preparations for meaningful activities under the Vietnam–Laos Year of Friendship and Strategic Cohesion 2027. The activities should focus on the people, especially younger generations, helping preserve and pass on awareness of the two countries' special ties.

He thanked the Lao Party, State and people for their warm and thoughtful reception of him and the Vietnamese Government delegation during his recent official visit to Laos. He said the visit has helped consolidate political trust, deepen understanding between the countries' senior leaders and create fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation. Agreements signed and exchanged during the visit had also strengthened the legal framework for ministries, sectors, localities and businesses to translate high-level commitments into concrete programs and projects.

For his part, the Lao official congratulated Viet Nam on its achievements and voiced confidence that, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), the country will attain further successes and fulfil the goals set by its 14th National Congress of CPV.

Briefing the host on the situation in Laos, he expressed deep gratitude for Viet Nam's valuable support during Laos' past struggle for national liberation and its current process of national construction, defense and development, cited VNA.

He affirmed Laos' determination to preserve and promote the bilateral relationship, describing it as an invaluable asset and an important foundation for the stability and development of both countries.

He also reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to close coordination with Viet Nam on regional and international issues of shared concerns, including information sharing and coordination of positions at multilateral forums such as ASEAN, thereby contributing to peace and stability and promoting cooperation and development in the region.

Both host and guest expressed confidence that, with strong political determination and close coordination at all levels, Vietnam–Laos relations will continue to deepen and deliver practical results, meeting the aspirations of their people and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

PM calls for stronger cooperation with Hamburg in ports, logistics, green energy

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung received Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg, Germany, in Hanoi on October 14, calling for stronger practical cooperation between Viet Nam and the German city in ports, logistics, maritime economy, green transition and trade and investment.

Welcoming Tschentscher’s visit, Prime Minister Hung praised Germany’s and Hamburg’s achievements in socio-economic development and external relations, as well as their prominent roles in the European Union (EU) and internationally.

He spoke highly of the outcomes of Viet Nam-Germany cooperation, noting that Germany has become one of Vietnam’s leading trading partners, a major investor and an important development cooperation partner within the EU. The Vietnamese-German University was cited as a symbol of bilateral cooperation.

The Prime Minister said the two countries are well placed to elevate their relations to a new level, creating fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation.

Stronger trade and investment ties

Highlighting practical opportunities for collaboration, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called on Hamburg to step up substantive cooperation with Vietnamese localities, particularly in areas where the German city has strengths, including seaports, logistics, the maritime economy, green transition and smart cities. He also urged Hamburg to help further expand economic, trade and investment ties between Viet Nam, Hamburg and Germany.

The Prime Minister proposed that the German state support the promotion and marketing of Vietnamese national-brand products and services in the German market, particularly in sectors where Viet Nam has competitive strengths and which match European consumer demand. These include agricultural products, processed foods, coffee, beverages, consumer goods, handicrafts, and green and sustainable products.

He also suggested stronger business connections to help Vietnamese products better meet German consumers’ preferences and market requirements, enable Vietnamese companies to expand their market access and make more effective use of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), according to VOV.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (R) receives Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of Hamburg, Germany, in Hanoi on October 14. (Photo: VGP)

Viet Nam welcomes investment from Hamburg-based businesses in areas where the city has expertise, particularly green transition and renewable energy, the Prime Minister said.

He proposed that Hamburg facilitate connections between Vietnamese businesses and its renewable energy cluster, as well as global offshore wind power supply chains, while promoting exchanges of experience in developing green and clean energy.

He further called for the maritime economy and seaports to become priority areas of cooperation between Viet Nam and Germany, particularly Hamburg. This would include stronger connectivity and exchanges of information and experience between the Port of Hamburg and major Vietnamese ports.

Viet Nam could also draw on German and European technologies and expertise to strengthen cooperation in transport, he told his guest.

Other proposed areas of collaboration include science and technology, innovation, higher education, human resource development and vocational training based on Germany’s dual vocational education and training model. The Prime Minister also suggested closer cooperation on sustainable development, with a focus on joint projects between Hamburg and Vietnamese localities in energy transition and resilience-building.

Seeking deeper cooperation with Vietnamese partners

For his part, First Mayor Peter Tschentscher praised Vietnam’s impressive development, particularly its economic growth in the first nine months of 2026 and its target of achieving double-digit growth. He also highlighted the country’s substantial investment in infrastructure, noting the rapid implementation of major strategic projects.

He described the Viet Nam-Germany Strategic Partnership, the EVFTA and agreements between the two governments as important drivers of bilateral relations.

Hamburg and German businesses, he said, are keen to develop long-term cooperation with Vietnamese partners and localities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, by capitalizing on their complementary strengths and contributing to Vietnam’s development.

He expressed interest in advancing cooperation in the areas highlighted by the Prime Minister, especially seaports, logistics, transport, offshore wind power, higher education, science and technology.

Tschentscher also hoped that more Vietnamese business delegations would visit Germany and that both sides would make fuller use of the EVFTA to promote trade between Viet Nam, Germany and the wider EU.

Germany is Vietnam’s second largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching US$13.6 billion in 2025. German foreign direct investment ranks third among EU member states investing in Viet Nam, with more than 530 projects and total registered capital exceeding US$3.1 billion. Since 1990, Germany has provided more than US$2 billion in official development assistance (ODA) for projects in Viet Nam.

Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city and a major economic center. The Port of Hamburg is Europe’s third largest container port and one of the world’s leading cargo transhipment hubs.

Viet Nam, US seek to deepen economic ties, promote high-tech investment

A series of major events aimed at promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation took place in Hanoi on October 14, including the ninth Viet Nam-US Business Summit and a seminar entitled “The US Market in 2026: Opportunities, challenges and breakthrough solutions”.

The events were jointly organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (AmCham) and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), highlighting a shift in foreign investment towards high technology and the urgent need for Vietnamese businesses to ensure supply chain transparency when accessing the US market.

Addressing the summit, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc said economic ties have entered a new era of growth more than three years after the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Despite global uncertainty, Vietnam’s economy grew 9.01% in the first nine months of 2026, attracted more than 50 billion USD in registered foreign direct investment (FDI), and recorded 888 billion USD in trade turnover.

However, Vietnam’s development orientation will undergo a fundamental shift, he said. In line with Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW, the country will move away from attracting individual investment projects towards developing investment platforms centred on industrial clusters and innovation ecosystems.

Future Viet Nam-US cooperation will prioritise semiconductors and artificial intelligence, clean energy, sustainable supply chains, innovation, and high-quality human resources training.

To achieve these goals, the Government is committed to accelerating institutional reforms, removing infrastructure bottlenecks, and adopting a more development-enabling approach, the Deputy PM said, calling on the US to ensure objective and balanced assessments in trade investigations and to conclude negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement soon, helping Vietnamese goods gain stable access to the US market, reported VNA.

Delegates attend the US-Viet Nam Business Summit 2026 (Photo: VNA)

At the seminar, VCCI Vice Chairman Hoang Quang Phong urged domestic businesses to move beyond exporting raw materials and minimally processed products, build their own brands and increase their participation in higher value-added stages of production.

Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, identified five pillars shaping US trade policy, namely reciprocity, trade balance, economic security, domestic manufacturing promotion and supply chain security.

​Against this backdrop, transparency in the origin of raw materials has become critical. Vietnamese businesses that remain confined to basic processing and assembly will find it increasingly difficult to withstand increasingly sophisticated technical barriers.

Former Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in the US An The Dung warned that policy changes, product quality issues and legal disputes have posed risks to exporters, despite bilateral trade having increased nearly 300-fold over the past 30 years.

He urged businesses to assess policy risks, strengthen their capacity to protect their interests and tighten control over production processes, particularly in sensitive areas such as food safety and hygiene.

Proactive information disclosure, standardised management procedures and improved product quality will help Vietnamese goods expand their presence and establish a lasting foothold in the US market, he added.

Timor-Leste and Viet Nam to increase parliamentary cooperation

Vietnamese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Pham Binh Dam paid a courtesy call on Timor-Leste National Parliament President Maria Fernanda Lay in Dili on October 14, with discussions focusing on parliamentary cooperation, legislative experience-sharing, and engagement in regional inter-parliamentary mechanisms.

Lay said Vietnam’s experience in lawmaking and national governance is valuable to Timor-Leste as the country continues to strengthen its institutions and integrate into the international community. She expressed her desire to deepen cooperation between the two parliaments, particularly through exchanges among parliamentarians, specialised bodies and parliamentary staff, with a view to improving legislative work.

Dam, for his part, shared Vietnam’s experience in reviewing and improving its legal framework to support economic development, attract investment and fulfil international commitments. He noted that ASEAN membership required continued adjustments to legal and policy frameworks, adding that Viet Nam stands ready to share practical experience, including challenges and lessons learned during its own integration process, for Timor-Leste’s reference as it implements its obligations as an ASEAN member.

Regarding cooperation within the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Lay expressed her hope that Viet Nam would continue to provide support and share experience to help the National Parliament of Timor-Leste participate more effectively in AIPA activities.

They also discussed the possibility of arranging meetings between representatives of the two parliaments on the sidelines of future AIPA sessions. Timor-Leste is preparing for its National Parliament to become a full member of AIPA.

On the occasion, Ambassador Pham Binh Dam reiterated an invitation from Vietnamese National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man for Lay to visit Viet Nam at a convenient time.

The two sides also exchanged views on administrative reform and digital transformation. The Vietnamese ambassador outlined Vietnam’s experience in restructuring the state apparatus, developing online public services and monitoring the progress of administrative procedures, VOV reported.

President of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste Maria Fernanda Lay receives Vietnamese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Pham Binh Dam in Dili on October 14.

Lay expressed her impression of Vietnam’s significant progress and her interest in learning from its experience. She also acknowledged Telemor, the commercial brand of Viettel Timor-Leste, a subsidiary of Viettel Global, Vietnam’s overseas investment arm of Viettel Group, for its contribution to expanding telecommunications connectivity in Timor-Leste, particularly in rural areas.

With regard to the agreement on visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports between Viet Nam and Timor-Leste, signed in Hanoi in June 2026, Ambassador Pham Binh Dam said Viet Nam has completed the necessary domestic procedures. According to information released by the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, the ratification dossier was received on October 5 and referred to the relevant committee on October 6.

Lay said the agreement is expected to be submitted for consideration and approval at a parliamentary sitting in December 2026. Once it enters into force, the agreement will facilitate people-to-people exchanges, tourism, trade and broader cooperation between the two countries.

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