Vietnam, Laos step up cooperation in technology, innovation
The first session of the Vietnam-Laos Committee for Cooperation in Technology and Innovation took place in Vientiane, Laos, on May 28.
Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat (L) and Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara exchange the minutes of the first session of the Vietnam-Laos Committee for Cooperation in Technology and Innovation in Vientiane, Laos, on May 28. (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – The first session of the Vietnam-Laos Committee for Cooperation in Technology and Innovation took place in Vientiane, Laos, on May 28.
At the meeting, Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat and Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara agreed to expand bilateral technological and innovative cooperation. They discussed diversifying forms of joint work to meet the sustainable development strategies of each country and the new international context, in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and current global development trends.
The two sides agreed to systematically consult on the organisation and management of technology and innovation to effectively utilise the potential of both countries in this field.
Regarding the collaboration direction for 2024-2026, they agreed to continue sharing experience in state management and policy planning, while supporting the building of institutional and legal frameworks related to high technology, high-tech zones, technology services, innovation management, startups, and technology transfer. It was also concurred that leaders from both ministries will regularly visit and work with one another and that working groups will be exchanged to conduct mid-term assessments of the sides’ implementation of high-level agreements and discuss future cooperation directions.
They will collaborate on research, development, application, and technology transfer in various fields, including Industry 4.0 technologies (AI, IoT, big data, cloud computing), IT, startups, digital transformation, remote sensing technology, geology and minerals, agriculture and forestry, medicine, biotechnology, agricultural product preservation, clean energy, renewable energy, irrigation, water resources, and climate change, among others.
😼 The two sides agreed to organise one or two training courses on sci-tech and innovation management annually. They also encouraged participation in activities and events that promote supply-demand connectivity, technology transfer, startups, and innovation organised by both countries each year./.
Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith on April 24 led a delegation to FSI Investment and Trading Technology Development JSC (FSI) to explore Make in Vietnam technology solutions that could support Laos' digital transformation in the logistics sector and, consequently, propel economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
Vietnam stands ready to give Laos further support to ensure information security as the country is taking the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 with an array of high-level conferences to be held, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung said on January 10.
A workshop on promoting technology and innovation cooperation between Vietnam and Laos to serve the development of digital economy in the two countries took place in Hanoi on December 11.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
