During the reception at the Presidential Palace on the morning of 26/1, General Secretary To Lam and Lao party leader and president Thongloun Sisoulith participated in a flag-raising ceremony and reviewed the honor guard of the Vietnam People's Army.

A 21-gun salute was fired at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel while the military band performed the national anthems of the two countries. This is Vietnam's most solemn welcoming ceremony for foreign leaders in diplomatic protocol.

Following the reception, General Secretary To Lam and Lao party leader and president Thongloun Sisoulith held talks at the Party Central Committee Headquarters.

General Secretary To Lam and Lao party leader and president Thongloun Sisoulith during the reception at the Presidential Palace on the morning of 26/1. *Giang Huy*

Lao party leader and president Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse are on a state visit to Vietnam from 26-27/1, at the invitation of General Secretary To Lam and his spouse.

The special plane carrying the Lao party leader and president and his spouse landed at Noi Bai International Airport on the morning of 26/1. Accompanying them were members of the Politburo of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, as well as leaders from various ministries and the National Assembly.

The delegation was welcomed by Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Do Van Chien, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Head of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam.

The visit holds significant importance for both nations. Laos recently successfully organized the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, where Thongloun Sisoulith was re-elected as General Secretary of the 12th Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Similarly, Vietnam also successfully held the 14th National Congress of the Party, with To Lam re-elected as General Secretary of the 14th Central Committee of the Party.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam highlighted that the Lao party leader and president chose Vietnam for his first visit immediately after each party's national congress. This underscores that the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic alignment between Vietnam and Laos are consistently prioritized in the foreign policies of both countries.

The artillery battery fires during the reception for the Lao party leader and president on 26/1. *VNA*

Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphau Ernthavanh expressed confidence that the visit will strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly the new aspects of "strategic alignment." This is expected to create new momentum for both sides to continue close coordination in implementing high-level agreements and achieving the development goals each country has set for the new development phase.

Vietnam and Laos established diplomatic relations on 5/9/1962. In 2/2019, the two sides agreed to elevate their "traditional friendship" to a "great friendship."

In 2025, bilateral trade turnover reached 2,98 billion USD, marking a 32,7% increase compared to 2024. Vietnam stands as Laos's third largest trading partner.

Laos consistently maintains the first position among 85 countries and territories receiving Vietnamese outward investment. Concurrently, Vietnam is currently the second largest foreign investor in Laos, with a total registered investment capital exceeding 6,21 billion USD.