On December 1st, as part of the state visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Lao PDR’s National Day, and the co-chairing of the High-Level Meeting between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, General Secretary Tô Lâm and General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, along with high-level delegations from both countries, witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents immediately following their talks.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos on developing industrial linkage chains between the two nations, encompassing six key areas.
First, the Vietnam-Laos Industrial Linkage Chain. This is a multi-dimensional cooperation model among enterprises from both countries in the production of goods and commercial trading activities, aimed at creating a tightly integrated network across all stages of the value chain and supply chain. This includes, but is not limited to, the supply of raw materials, production, processing, manufacturing, design, and the distribution of products in both markets, the region, and globally.
The industrial linkage chain encourages the active participation of small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as those located in industrial parks, special economic zones, and border economic cooperation zones of both countries.
Second, the approach to developing the Vietnam-Laos Industrial Linkage Chain. The development of this chain is based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit, respecting the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of each nation, in accordance with the laws of each country and international treaties to which both are signatories.
Both sides aim to build and develop the industrial linkage chain to encourage and strengthen cooperation among manufacturing, import-export, and trading enterprises, contributing to a breakthrough in promoting two-way trade turnover and enhancing the substantive and effective nature of the bilateral relationship.
In developing the industrial linkage chain, both parties acknowledge, respect, and fully implement the objective laws of the market economy, in line with each country’s development conditions.
The development of the industrial linkage chain seeks to maximize the potential and comparative advantages of both sides, promoting technology, innovation, and breakthroughs in enhancing productivity and quality for enterprises in both nations.
Additionally, it aims to strengthen the capacity of enterprises from both countries to participate more deeply and valuably in the global supply chain.
Ministers of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and Laos exchanging the Memorandum of Understanding
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Third, the objectives of cooperation in developing the Vietnam-Laos Industrial Linkage Chain. Establish specific mechanisms and policies to identify and develop industrial linkage chains, ensuring focus and priority, initially by selecting and developing cooperation models among enterprises that have already established production and commercial relationships. When identifying and selecting linkage projects, both sides encourage consideration of priority industries and regions in both countries, such as agricultural processing, light industry, and enterprises in special economic zones and border economic cooperation zones.
Conduct pilot studies on industrial linkage chain models for select products in priority industries based on competitive advantages, specialization, and value chains between the two countries.
Create a favorable investment and business environment, promoting trade facilitation between the two nations. Both sides encourage enhanced cooperation in customs procedures, trade facilitation at border gates, and logistics connectivity between Vietnam and Laos, including production corridors linking Laos with Vietnamese seaports.
Encourage enterprises from both countries to participate in developing the industrial linkage chain. Develop criteria and methods for evaluating the effectiveness of industrial linkage chain activities.
Fourth, cooperation in developing the Vietnam-Laos Industrial Linkage Chain. By 2030, both sides will select industrial linkage chain models to encourage development, including materials (cement, iron, steel, etc.), chemicals, textiles and footwear, mechanical engineering and transportation vehicles, dairy products, electronics (electronic components, hardware, etc.), processing industry (agricultural, forestry, aquatic products, food, etc.), mineral exploitation and processing, renewable energy (hydropower, wind power, solar power), as well as electricity transmission and trading.
During the implementation of the industrial linkage chain, both sides commit to supporting each other in key initiatives, including jointly developing a pilot model of the Vietnam-Laos Industrial Park and collaborating on research to provide information and support policies for developing the Vietnam-Laos Industrial Linkage Chain.
Fifth, training and capacity building for Lao officials and enterprises. Vietnam will organize training and capacity-building programs for Lao officials and enterprises in relevant fields to develop the Vietnam-Laos Industrial Linkage Chain. Laos will be responsible for identifying and selecting participants for these training programs in Vietnam.
Sixth, implementation. Both sides designate the Institute for Industrial and Trade Policy and Strategy (VIOIT) of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Institute of Industry, Commerce, and Energy (IICE) of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos as focal points responsible for coordinating the implementation of this MoU. A joint working group, co-chaired by VIOIT and IICE, may be established to coordinate the implementation, develop annual or biennial work plans, and submit regular reports to the ministers of both countries.
– 10:59 PM, December 1, 2025
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