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Vietnam, Laos agree to deepen bilateral relationship with reinforced framework

Top leaders of Vietnam and Laos have agreed to deepen the bilateral relationship with a reinforced framework of “Great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion”, affirming a shared vision, intertwined strategic interests and long-term companionship orientation for the goal of sustainable development, self-reliance and common prosperity of the two peoples.

The agreement was reached at the talks in Vientiane on December 1 between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) To Lam and General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, held shortly after the official welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese leader, his spouse and the high-level delegation, who are on a two-day state visit to Laos where they will also attend the ceremony marking the 50th National Day of Laos.

The Lao leader underscored the significance of the visit, which, he said, reflects the great importance attached by the Vietnamese Party, State and General Secretary Lam personally to the unique Vietnam–Laos relationship. He said the presence of the Vietnamese Party chief and the delegation at celebrations of the 50th anniversary of National Day of Laos is a major honour for the Lao Party, State and people.

He expressed gratitude to the Party, State and people of Vietnam for their constant support and invaluable assistance for Laos in its national construction and defense cause. He noted that Vietnam’s achievements during the 40 years of Doi moi (Renewal) process have elevated its international standing and provided Laos with valuable experience in national development. Vietnam’s reform success demonstrates the soundness of the CPV's development path and serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement for Laos, he noted.

Thanking Vietnam for inviting Lao leaders to attend major national celebrations, the Lao leader praised the successful organization of commemorations making the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (September 2), which, he said, fostered unity across the Party and people and reflected the strong patriotism of the Vietnamese people.

He also congratulated Vietnam on successful hosting major multilateral events, including the opening for signature of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi in October. He spoke highly of Vietnam’s implementation of the 13th National Party Congress's Resolution and preparations for the 14th National Party Congress. On this occasion, the Lao Party, State and people extended sympathies to Vietnam over losses caused by recent storms and floods and expressed readiness to support Vietnam in overcoming the difficulties.

For his part, Party General Secretary Lam expressed his pleasure at revisiting Laos on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Lao National Day and the 105th birth anniversary of President Kaysone Phomvihane. He said this is an opportunity for both sides to reflect on Laos’s arduous yet glorious journey and the enduring bond between the two countries and peoples, affirming the Lao people’s unwavering determination for independence and solidarity.

He noted that his visit once again reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of giving the top priority to its special relationship with Laos. It also provided an opportunity for both countries to build a new vision and elevate the Vietnam–Laos relationship to a higher level, with deeper political trust and stronger breakthroughs across all areas of cooperation.

The Vietnamese Party chief congratulated Laos on its historic achievements after 50 years of founding and 40 years of reform. He emphasised the LPRP’s leadership role in guiding national development, maintaining stable GDP growth, improving living conditions, safeguarding national defense and security, and expanding external relations. He noted that Laos’s successful chairmanship of ASEAN three times and hosting of related summits underscored its regional and international standing.

General Secretary Lam also expressed profound gratitude for Laos’s steadfast and whohearted support to Vietnam during its past struggle for national liberation and its present process of national construction and defense. He voiced his confidence that, under the leadership of the LPRP headed by General Secretary Thongloun, Laos will successfully realise the goals set by the 11th National Party Congress and successfully organise the 12th National Party Congress.

At the talks, the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in each country. General Secretary Lam briefed the host on Vietnam’s socio-economic development and comprehensive efforts to streamline the political system.

Both leaders welcomed the growing depth, substance and effectiveness of the Vietnam–Laos special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, which contributes significantly to political stability, national defense, security and socio-economic development in each country. They agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the two Parties, governments, parliaments, front organizations, mass organizations and localities, particularly border provinces.

The two sides reaffirmed that close political ties are continuously reinforced through regular high-level contacts and effective cooperation mechanisms. They agreed to implement high-level agreements and plans effectively, particularly the outcomes of the 2025 high-level meeting between the two Parties and the third meeting of the top leaders of the Parties of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. They also agreed to deepen cooperation between the CPV and the LPRP through flexible forms of exchanges, joint theoretical work, and coordination in organising major national events, thereby affirming a new height in bilateral political relations.

The two sides agreed to intensify communication and education on the history of the Vietnam–Laos special solidarity, especially among younger generations, fostering pride, responsibility and commitment to preserving the unique and enduring relationship, VNA reported.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) To Lam and General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) hold talks in Vientiane on December 1, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Both sides highlighted growing defense and security cooperation as a key pillar of the bilateral relations, contributing to a stable and sustainable shared border. They agreed to further strengthen defense and security cooperation to address increasingly complex security challenges and to link security and defense with socio-economic development.

The leaders also agreed to strengthen economic, infrastructure, banking-financial and tourism connectivity; take effective measures to lift bilateral trade to 5 billion USD in the near future and towards the target of 10 billion USD in the longer term; enhance transport, energy and logistics connectivity; and share experience in macro-economic management and anti-corruption. They agreed to remove bottlenecks to facilitate Vietnamese investment projects in Laos and ensure the effective implementation of aid-funded projects.

Both sides committed to creating breakthroughs in economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation; improving education and human resource development, especially high-quality personnel training; and strengthening people-to-people and local-to-local exchanges as a strategic pillar of the bilateral ties.

The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and to protect each other’s legitimate interests in line with international law, including the East Sea issue.

Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of 12 important cooperation documents between ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries, covering defense, security, health, justice, education and training, finance and banking, and strategic infrastructure, creating a legal basis and fresh momentum for deepening the Vietnam–Laos partnership in the new period.

On this occasion, Party General Secretary To Lam invited Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. The Lao leader accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds a meeting with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Hanoi on December 1, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam always attaches importance to advancing ties with Brunei: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam always attaches great importance to advancing its Comprehensive Partnership with Brunei and hopes that the bilateral ties will continue to develop substantively, bringing concrete benefits and contributing to peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.

At a meeting in Hanoi on December 1 with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, who is on a state visit to Vietnam, PM Chinh said the visit offers an important opportunity to review progress in bilateral cooperation and set out new directions to elevate the partnership to a higher, more effective level.

He commended Brunei’s political stability, solid economic performance, and strong social welfare under the Sultan’s leadership, as reflected in the country’s high Human Development Index. He expressed confidence that Brunei will successfully realise its national development vision (Brunei Vision 2035 or Wawasan 2035), becoming a dynamic and sustainable economy.

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah reaffirmed Brunei’s commitment to deepening its Comprehensive Partnership with Vietnam and extended his condolences to Vietnamese communities affected by recent floods and landslides in the central region, cited VNA.

Both leaders welcomed the robust progress made under the 2023–2027 Action Program, noting frequent high-level exchanges, active cooperation mechanisms and strong economic growth, with two-way trade rising to nearly 671.4 million USD in 2024, up 165% from the previous year and already surpassing the 2025 target. Collaboration in defense and security, agriculture, fisheries, oil and gas, Halal industry, tourism and education has also continued to develop effectively.

To further strengthen relations, PM Chinh proposed maintaining regular high-level contacts and ensuring effective implementation of the Action Program. He called for strengthened economic, trade, and investment cooperation in key sectors, such as oil and gas, chemicals, Halal food processing, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

He said Vietnam hopes Brunei will continue to support Vietnamese enterprises in providing oil and gas services, recognise Halal certificates for export and facilitate participation in global supply chains. Vietnam stands ready to assist Brunei in food security and supplying raw materials for Halal production, while the two sides could explore a potential rice trade agreement.

The government leader also called for enhanced maritime cooperation, particularly in fisheries and information-sharing on law enforcement at sea. Vietnam remains committed to tackling illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) and looks forward to Brunei’s continued support for its efforts to develop a sustainable marine economy.

The PM proposed expanding cooperation in the fields of culture, sports and education, enhancing mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, and especially fostering linkages between educational institutions, student exchange programs and joint research.

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah expressed support for PM Chinh's proposals, emphasising the need for the two nations to strengthen cooperation in energy, fisheries, Halal industry and people-to-people exchanges. He said the agreements signed during this visit would inject fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation.

Both sides agreed to continue close coordination at regional and international forums, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations, and to uphold ASEAN’s common position on key regional issues, including Myanmar and East Sea matters, for the sake of regional and global peace, stability and development.

The Sultan took this occasion to invite PM Chinh to visit Brunei at an appropriate time. The PM thanked the Sultan and accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Prensa Latina urged to strengthen cooperation, promote Vietnam–Cuba relations

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, while receiving the leadership of Prensa Latina in Hanoi on December 1, called on the Cuban news agency to continue being a reliable partner, collaborate closely, enhance journalistic capacity, and help promote the special relationship between Vietnam and Cuba.

PM Chinh welcomed President Jorge Leganoa Alonso and the Prensa Latina delegation on their visit to Vietnam, which coincides with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He on this occasion conveyed greetings to Cuban leaders, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, and National Assembly President Esteban Lazo Hernández.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam has always valued Cuba’s support in the past struggle for national independence, as well as in the present cause of national construction and defense.

Over the past 65 years, he noted, Vietnam–Cuba relations have developed on three main pillars, with political–diplomatic ties serving as the foundation, economic–trade–investment cooperation as the driving force, and people-to-people exchanges as the binding glue.

Vietnam is currently Cuba’s second-largest trading partner and the largest investor in the Asia-Pacific region. Cooperation projects in food production, rice, corn, and seafood have helped the Cuban people overcome difficulties. The Vietnamese people have also donated over VND650 billion to support Cuba, ten times the initial target, while Cuba timely supplied vaccines to Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic, acording to VOV.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Prensa Latina President Jorge Leganoa Alonso during their meeting in Hanoi on December 1. (Photo: VGP)

Building on this strong foundation, the collaboration between Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Prensa Latina has always been close, sincere, and effective. Prensa Latina has supported VNA in training multiple generations of Spanish-speaking journalists and editors, sending experts to work in Vietnam, and actively reporting on Vietnam–Cuba relations. Conversely, VNA has assisted Prensa Latina with technical equipment, infrastructure, and working conditions in Hanoi.

Prime Minister Chinh requested that the two agencies continue close cooperation, explore new methods to enhance capacity, update media technology, and provide accurate, timely information. Both sides should actively promote the special Vietnam–Cuba relationship, jointly counter misinformation, and safeguard the ideological foundation.

For his part, Prensa Latina President Alonso extended sympathy for the recent storm and flood damage in Vietnam. He emphasized pride in the strong bilateral ties, including the collaboration between the two news agencies, and pledged to work closely with VNA to implement cooperation projects more effectively.

Singapore Red Cross pledges SGD50,000 to support Vietnam’s flood recovery

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has pledged a total of SGD 250,000 (US$190,000) to support Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in five regional countries, including Vietnam, in repose to recent severe weather events across the region.

In its statement issued on December 1, SRC said that the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia), Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Thai Red Cross Society, and Vietnam Red Cross Society will receive SGD50,000 each to fund urgent relief and recovery operations.

Across Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, heavy monsoon rains, tropical storms and cyclones have caused extensive flooding and landslides, resulting in casualties, mass evacuations, widespread property damage and severe disruption to essential infrastructure, reported VOV.

Local residents in Khanh Hoa province receive emergency aid in the wake of the flood.

According to SRC, national Red Cross teams are working closely with provincial and district authorities to operate relief centres, assist evacuations, provide emergency food, drinking water and essential supplies, support clean-up efforts, and carry out search-and-rescue operations in the hardest hit areas.

SRC Chief and Secretary-General Benjamin William shared that communities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam are grappling with the devastating impacts of climate-driven disasters.

Thousands of families have lost their homes, livelihoods and access to necessities, said William, adding Singapore’s national societies are on the front lines delivering critical aid, and the Singapore Red Cross remains committed to standing with them.

Floods and landslides across the region have claimed hundreds of lives, with authorities continuing search and rescue operations, restoring power and communication networks, and coordinating recovery efforts as waters gradually recede.

Typhoon Koto weakens unexpectedly, more storms likely in December

According to Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, by early afternoon on December 1, Koto had weakened significantly.

At 1:00 PM, the storm's center was located in the northwestern waters of the central East Sea, with maximum winds reaching level 7 (50–61 km/h) and gusts at level 9. The system showed little movement and continued to lose strength.

Over the next 12 hours, the tropical depression is expected to move southwestward at around 5 km/h. By 1:00 AM on December 2, it will be approximately 200 kilometers east of the coastal areas of Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces. At that point, it is forecast to drop to level 6 with gusts at level 8.

In the following 12 hours, the system will likely move further southwest at about 10 km/h and weaken into a low-pressure area offshore from Gia Lai–Dak Lak.

Koto originally developed from a tropical depression east of the Philippines’ central region. It strengthened into a typhoon and entered the East Sea on the night of November 25, cited VNN.

Typhoon Koto has weakened into a tropical depression. Source: VNDMS

After nearly six days of fluctuating speeds - ranging from fast to nearly stationary - the storm has now begun to dissipate. Its weakening has come earlier than previous forecasts anticipated.

As a result, Typhoon Koto is no longer expected to impact Vietnam’s mainland directly.

However, the lingering effects of cold air, combined with residual circulation from the weakening depression and high-altitude disturbances, are projected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall across central regions.

Between December 2–5, the areas from Quang Tri to Da Nang, the eastern parts of Quang Ngai to Dak Lak, and Khanh Hoa may experience widespread rainfall.

In the immediate term, due to the tropical depression, strong winds of level 6–7 with gusts up to level 9 are expected over the northwestern part of the central East Sea and offshore Gia Lai–Dak Lak. Waves could reach 2–4 meters in height, with rough sea conditions. Boats in these areas are at risk of thunderstorms, squalls, and high waves.

Looking ahead, the meteorological agency forecasts that 1–2 more tropical storms or depressions may form in the East Sea during December 2025. The long-term average is one storm per December, with a low chance of landfall (0.2 storms).

Additionally, regions from Quang Tri to Da Nang and from eastern Quang Ngai to Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa may continue to face significant rainfall events in the first half of December.

Nationwide, there remains a risk of hazardous weather phenomena such as thunderstorms, whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusts.

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