General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, hosted a welcoming ceremony on 13/10 for General Khamliang Outhakaysone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Laos, who was on an official visit to Vietnam.

The visit took place within the framework of the annual meeting between the three Ministers of National Defense and a joint civil defense exercise involving the armies of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 2026.

General Phan Van Giang hosted the welcoming ceremony for General Khamliang Outhakaysone on 13/10. *Photo: Giang Huy*

During the talks, the two Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in several key areas: border management and protection, defense industry, and the search, gathering, and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed in Laos during wartime.

Both sides also identified human resource training as a key task with long-term strategic significance, contributing to strengthening the special relationship between the two nations and their armies.

In military building, Vietnam and Laos will boost cooperation in party and political work, focusing on building strong forces in terms of politics, ideology, and organization. The two countries will also enhance consultation and mutual support at multilateral forums and promote trilateral defense cooperation among Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

General Phan Van Giang and General Khamliang Outhakaysone reviewed the honor guard of the Vietnam People's Army. *Photo: Giang Huy*

General Phan Van Giang assessed that Vietnam-Laos defense cooperation has achieved many important and increasingly substantive results, continuing to be one of the pillars of the two countries' relationship.

Many defense external relations activities have been organized, notably the 6th defense policy dialogue, the 3rd Vietnam-Laos border defense friendship exchange, and a young officers' exchange between the two armies. These activities contribute to strengthening understanding and cohesion between the armed forces and people of the two countries.

The Vietnamese Defense Minister stated that the relationship between the two countries has continued to be strengthened through high-level visits and meetings. Besides defense and security, the two nations are boosting cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, education, training, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers of National Defense signed the cooperation plan for 2027. *Photo: Giang Huy*

General Khamliang Outhakaysone affirmed that the visit contributes to deepening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic alignment between Vietnam and Laos, including the relationship between their two Ministries of National Defense.

The two counterparts agreed to direct their agencies and units to effectively implement the agreed cooperation contents. The two armies will continue to play a leading role in realizing the goals and cooperation orientations set by the high-level leaders of Vietnam and Laos in the new situation.

Son Ha