Gắn kết chiến lược Việt Nam - Lào trong giai đoạn mới | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Gắn kết chiến lược (Strategic Connectivity): The elevation of the Vietnam-Laos relationship from comprehensive cooperation to a strategic partnership, emphasizing shared vision, intertwined strategic interests, and long-term alignment for mutual development.
• Đoàn kết đặc biệt (Special Solidarity): The core foundation of the Vietnam-Laos relationship, described as the "source" that binds the two nations together.
• Hữu nghị vĩ đại (Great Friendship): The overarching sentiment and historical basis of the bilateral relationship.
• Hợp tác toàn diện (Comprehensive Cooperation): The existing framework of collaboration across various sectors.
• Ba nền tảng (Three Foundations): The core principles for maintaining and developing the Vietnam-Laos relationship in the new era: upholding national independence and socialism with the people at the center, building a peaceful and cooperative border, and mutual support in resources and development space.
• Năm phương châm hành động (Five Action Principles): Practical guidelines for the new strategic connectivity phase, including maintaining strategic trust, prioritizing special solidarity, leveraging geopolitical and geoeconomic advantages, centering on people, and utilizing modern tools and youthful enthusiasm.

Summary of Vietnam-Laos State Visit by General Secretary Tô Lâm

This summary details the outcomes and significance of the state visit by General Secretary Tô Lâm of Vietnam to Laos, accompanied by his wife and a high-level delegation. The visit aimed to reaffirm Vietnam's comprehensive support for Laos's reform, defense, and construction efforts, and crucially, to elevate the bilateral relationship to a "strategic connectivity" level.

1. Significance and Context of the Visit

The visit coincided with significant anniversaries: Laos's 50th National Day and the 105th birthday of former President Kaysone Phomvihane. This timing underscored the historical, political, and humanitarian importance of the visit, serving as a powerful testament to the enduring, loyal, and mutually supportive relationship between the two Parties, states, and peoples. The visit also acknowledged Vietnam's significant contributions to Laos's recent achievements, embodying the principle of considering a friend's victory as one's own.

2. Evolution of Bilateral Relations: From Cooperation to Strategic Connectivity

The traditional 12-character motto of "Great Friendship, Special Solidarity, Comprehensive Cooperation" has been expanded to a 16-character framework, incorporating the new element of "Strategic Connectivity." This signifies a deeper, more integrated partnership. The joint statement declared the visit a milestone, ushering in a new chapter characterized by:

• Shared Vision: Aligning long-term goals and aspirations.
• Intertwined Strategic Interests: Recognizing mutual benefits and dependencies.
• Long-term Partnership: Committing to sustained collaboration for mutual development, self-reliance, and prosperity.

The transcript emphasizes that "Special Solidarity" is the vital "source" of the Vietnam-Laos relationship, transforming neighbors into steadfast allies. Simply cooperating is insufficient; the relationship must be elevated to "connectivity" which is strategic, comprehensive, and mutually complementary.

3. Key Areas of Strategic Connectivity

The discussions between General Secretary Tô Lâm and Lao leaders identified three primary directions for this enhanced connectivity:

• Bilateral Connectivity: Deepening ties across all aspects of the relationship.
• Sub-regional Connectivity: Collaborating within regional frameworks.
• Regional and International Connectivity: Coordinating efforts on the global stage.

This overarching strategic connectivity is intended to drive deeper and more substantive cooperation, particularly in:

• Vision and Goals: Aligning development objectives.
• Policies and Development Strategies: Harmonizing national plans.
• Infrastructure and Development Space: Jointly developing physical and economic landscapes.
• Education, Training, and Human Resource Development: Investing in future capabilities.
• Security and Sustainable Development: Ensuring peace and long-term prosperity for both nations.

4. Three Foundational Pillars for the New Era

General Secretary Tô Lâm outlined three essential foundations for fostering the Vietnam-Laos relationship in the current phase:

1. Upholding National Independence and Socialism: Maintaining the core political ideology, with a people-centric approach, and enhancing experience sharing in Party building, anti-corruption efforts, and economic model innovation.
2. Building a Border of Peace, Friendship, Cooperation, and Development: Ensuring a secure and prosperous shared border.
3. Mutual Support and Complementarity: Leveraging each other's resources, strengths, and development spaces to optimize mutual benefits and co-design integrated development plans.

5. Five Action Principles for Strategic Connectivity

The transcript proposes five guiding principles for the new phase of strategic connectivity:

1. Maintain Strategic Trust and Prioritize Special Solidarity: Building trust through concrete actions and sincere, respectful handling of mutual interests.
2. Solidarity as the Adhesive, Connectivity as the Engine: Recognizing that solidarity ensures survival and growth, while connectivity drives development and resilience in a competitive global environment.
3. Maximize Mutual Support in Geoeconomics, Geopolitics, and Geoculture: Viewing borders as spaces for development and integration.
4. People-Centric Development: Ensuring all programs, projects, and policies directly benefit the lives of border populations, youth opportunities, and the tangible advantages of the Vietnam-Laos brotherhood.
5. Embrace the Digital Age with Knowledge, Love, and Creativity: Building upon the historical bond forged in blood, sweat, and tears with modern knowledge, innovation, technology, and the passionate spirit of the youth to create practical, effective, and humane projects.

6. Concrete Outcomes and Agreements

The visit saw the signing of 12 important cooperation documents between ministries, sectors, and localities of both countries, concretizing the strategic cooperation directions. Key areas of focus include:

• Political Cooperation: Identified as the leading force and guiding principle.
• Defense and Security: A crucial pillar for ensuring peace, stability, and development.
• Socio-economic Cooperation: Targeted for breakthroughs to propel both nations forward.

General Secretary Tô Lâm also emphasized that preserving and developing the special solidarity is a political responsibility, a matter of conscience, and an honor. The high-level meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, co-chaired by the General Secretaries, is the highest cooperation mechanism, crucial for guiding the relationship. Both sides affirmed that this relationship is a top priority in their foreign policies, a strategic model, and a key factor for revolutionary success. An agreement between the two Politburos for 2026 was signed, followed by the 48th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation.

7. Symbolic Recognition and Enduring Legacy

During the visit, General Secretary Tô Lâm was awarded Laos's highest national honor, the Golden National Medal, a testament to the exemplary and enduring nature of the bilateral relationship. The inauguration of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park further symbolized Vietnam's goodwill. The relationship is described as "one of a kind" globally, forged through shared struggles, characterized by pure solidarity, and prioritizing the interests of national liberation and country building.

8. Conclusion: An Invaluable Asset

General Secretary Tô Lâm poignantly stated that the "Great Friendship, Special Solidarity, Comprehensive Cooperation, and Strategic Connectivity" between Vietnam and Laos is an "invaluable asset." Safeguarding, nurturing, and developing this asset is a political responsibility, a moral obligation, and a matter of honor, conscience, and the very essence of life for both nations.