Within the framework of the visit and working trip to Laos on May 12-13, Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh held talks with Lao Minister of Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket in Vientiane Capital.
Attending the event were Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam, Director of the Department of International Cooperation Nguyen Phuong Hoa and leaders of many units under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The Lao side included Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Dalany Phommavongsa and representatives of relevant departments and agencies.
Strengthening friendly relations, linking Vietnam - Laos strategy
At the talks, Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket highly appreciated the visit of Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, saying that this is an activity that vividly demonstrates the relationship between the two Ministries, contributing to consolidating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
In response, Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh thanked for the solemn reception from Laos, and congratulated Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket on continuing to be trusted to hold important responsibilities in the field of culture and tourism of Laos. The Minister expressed her belief that the Lao culture and tourism industry will continue to achieve many new achievements, making positive contributions to the country's socio-economic development.
Assessing the results of the implementation of the Culture and Tourism Cooperation Program for the period 2021-2025, the two sides noted many outstanding activities that have been effectively organized despite being affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. Including 4 times organizing Vietnam Culture Week in Laos and Lao Culture Week in Vietnam, Vietnam - Laos Border Area Culture, Sports and Tourism Exchange Day, Vietnam - Laos Sculpture Camp and many international cultural and artistic festivals.
The two Ministers also emphasized the imprint of cooperation in 2025 on the occasion of the 80th National Day of Vietnam and the 50th National Day of Laos. Activities such as art performances, photo exhibitions on Vietnam-Laos relations, Vietnam Film Week in Laos or the inauguration of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Park have contributed to fostering solidarity between the people of the two countries.
In particular, Minister Suanesavanh Vignaket thanked the Vietnamese side for supporting the organization of the art program "Vietnam - Laos: Epic of Friendship" to celebrate the success of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. The program attracted more than 15,000 attendees, becoming a highlight in cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Tourism cooperation continues to be an important pillar
In the field of cultural heritage, the Lao side expressed gratitude to Vietnam for supporting Hin Nam No National Park to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in July 2025. Along with Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park of Vietnam, this becomes the first inter-border World Natural Heritage of the two countries.
The two sides also highly appreciated the role of the Vietnamese Cultural Center in Laos in promoting the culture of the two countries, contributing to promoting people-to-people exchanges and strengthening Vietnam-Laos friendship.
Regarding tourism, the two Ministers affirmed that tourism cooperation continues to be one of the important pillars in bilateral relations. The number of tourists between the two countries recovered and grew positively after the COVID-19 epidemic. In 2025, Vietnam had about 1.3 million tourists traveling to Laos, ranking 3rd in the markets sending tourists to Laos.
Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh congratulated the success of the Lao National Tourism Year 2025 with 4.5 million international visitors, and affirmed that Vietnam always reserves attractive sea destinations for Lao tourists. The two sides assessed that the opening of more direct flights has created great advantages for bilateral tourism development.
In addition to bilateral cooperation, Vietnam and Laos continue to closely coordinate at multilateral forums such as ASEAN, UNESCO, UN Tourism and regional cooperation mechanisms.
Expanding destination linkages, developing common tourism products
On the basis of signing the Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Program for the period 2026-2030, the two Ministers agreed to continue promoting large-scale cultural exchange activities during the Vietnam - Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year, towards the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027.
The two sides will strengthen cooperation in organizing Cultural Weeks in each country, promote cultural, sports and tourism exchanges in border areas, and expand professional exchanges in the fields of performing arts, fine arts, exhibitions, museums, libraries and publishing.
In the field of tourism, the two Ministers agreed to promote destination linkages, build quality tourism products based on common strengths in culture, heritage, ecology and road tourism. The two sides also continue to coordinate to organize tourism promotion and advertising activities and create conditions to participate in major tourism fairs and festivals in each country.
Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh also invited the Lao Minister of Culture and Tourism to Vietnam to attend the first Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Tourism Ministers' Conference, scheduled to be held in Ho Chi Minh City in September 2026 within the framework of the Ho Chi Minh City International Tourism Fair.
The two Ministers believe that the implementation of the Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Program for the period 2026-2030 will continue to contribute to promoting the socio-economic development of each country, while strengthening understanding and connection between the people of Vietnam and Laos in the new period.
