Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has underscored the importance of energy and mining cooperation as a pillar of economic ties between Vietnam and Laos.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phosay Sayasone at their meeting on October 21 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has underscored the importance of energy and mining cooperation as a pillaཧr of economic ties between Vietnam and Laos.
During a reception in Hanoi on October 21 for Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phosay Sayasone, Son assured his guest that Vietnam always values and gives the highest priority to the Vietnam-Laos special relationship.
According to him, bilateral ties have been growing robustly and effectively, bolstered by political trust and regular visits by leaders. Two-way trade is estimated at 1.7 billion USD in the first 10 months of this year, on track to meet the target of a 10-15% year-on-year increase as outlined in the cooperation plan between the two Governments.
To realise the agreement between the two Politburos in September 2024 and prepare for the 47th Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee meeting, which will be co-chaired by the two PMs in early 2025, he urged both sides to perform the assigned tasks in power and coal trading, and increase bilateral investment.
Regarding cooperation in power trading, both sides need to realise the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2006. As Vietnam's electricity import capacity from Laos can exceed 5,000 MW by 2030, Son suggested that the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines provide timely reports for both Governments to consider necessary adjustments to the MoU.
He hailed the MoIT for swiftly establishing a task force for bilateral electricity trading led by a minister, which he said, demonstrates Vietnam's strong commitment to promoting this cooperation.
Affirming that coal from Laos will be one of the key input sources for electricity production in Vietnam in the coming time, he asked the MoIT and the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines to step up the negotiation and signing of an agreement on coal trade cooperation during the upcoming inter-governmental committee meeting.
Praising the partnerships between Vietnamese and Lao enterprises in the construction of the conveyor belt between the two countries, Son believed that more business partnerships for key projects will emerge, contributing to the trade and industry cooperation and the overall economic growth of both nations.
Sayasone thanked the Vietnamese Government for valuing collaboration with Laos, noting that many Vietnamese enterprises have been investing in energy and mining in Laos.
Notably, both sides have committed to a power trading capacity of 3,000 MW by 2025 and 5,000 MW by 2030. To date, Vietnam has approved the import of electricity from Laos with a total capacity of 2,939 MW, while the total capacity under signed electricity trading contracts is 2,239 MW, accounting for 74.3% of the capacity committed by 2025.
He proposed continuing with in-depth discussions at all levels so that energy and mining become key strengths in bilateral cooperation. He expressed confidence that activities in this field will become increasingly effective in the near future./.
Working delegations from the Defence Ministries of Vietnam and Laos on October 21 held a rehearsal for the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange in Moc Chau district, the northern province of Son La, and Sop Bao district, Laos’s Houaphanh province.
With concrete results obtained, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man’s freshly-ended official visit to Laos will surely create a new impetus for promoting Vietnam - Laos comprehensive and practical cooperation in various spheres, particularly economy, trade, and investment, on par with the sound political ties, said Chairman of the NA’s Committee for External Relations Vu Hai Ha.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man received Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association Boviengkham Vongdara and Vice President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Chanphenh Soutthivong in Vientiane on October 18 as part of his official visit to the neighbouring country and attendance at the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45).
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
