Viet Nam-Lao technical meeting advances concrete steps to boost bilateral trade

In implementation of directives from the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, particularly the outcomes of the ministerial talks held on March 20, 2026, in Ha Noi, technical working groups under the Bilateral Coordination Committee convened a technical-level meeting in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from April 8 to April 10, 2026. The meeting aimed to agree on a detailed action plan for cooperation in 2026, contributing to efforts to raise bilateral trade turnover to over USD 4 billion in 2026 and USD 10 billion by 2030.

Prior to the technical sessions, the Vietnamese delegation paid a courtesy call on and reported to the Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce on the objectives, agenda, and working programme of the meeting. The Lao Minister welcomed both sides’ proactive implementation of high-level directives through the working group mechanism, while urging relevant agencies to enhance coordination and focus on practical, immediately actionable areas of cooperation to improve the effectiveness of bilateral economic and trade ties.

This marked the first technical-level meeting of the Coordination Committee since its establishment in March 2026, with participation from representatives of five working groups, as well as relevant agencies and enterprises from both countries.

Over the three-day session, the working groups engaged in intensive, substantive, and result-oriented discussions, focusing on key areas of cooperation, including electricity; petroleum and energy infrastructure; industry, industrial parks, and mining; trade promotion and market connectivity; and overall coordination. Discussions were directed toward resolving specific bottlenecks, addressing implementation challenges, and clearly defining subsequent tasks and action steps.

At noon on April 10, 2026, both sides signed the meeting minutes and adopted the 2026 Action Plan of the Coordination Committee. The plan sets out a detailed list of tasks across sectors, with clearly assigned lead agencies, coordination mechanisms, implementation timelines, and expected deliverables.

Based on the outcomes of the technical exchanges, the two sides agreed to advance priority task groups aimed at boosting bilateral trade growth, with a focus on high-potential sectors such as energy, processing and manufacturing industries, cross-border trade, and infrastructure connectivity.

In the electricity sector, both sides will continue to review Lao power projects intended for export to Viet Nam, while studying and assessing grid interconnection options, including a 500kV transmission link, to ensure alignment with the national power development plans of both countries. Coordination with relevant entities, including EVN and EDL, will be strengthened to evaluate feasibility and report to competent authorities.

In petroleum and energy infrastructure, the two sides agreed to pursue initiatives such as studying the development of a master plan for petroleum reserves and supply systems in Lao PDR; promoting business linkages in petroleum supply; and exploring energy infrastructure projects alongside appropriate distribution system development models.

In industry and mining, both sides will conduct surveys and feasibility studies on the development of mineral processing industrial parks in Lao PDR, linked to resource extraction and value chain development. Existing projects will be reviewed, and industrial linkages between the two countries will be further strengthened.

In trade promotion and market connectivity, both sides agreed on a 2026 programme of activities, including trade fairs, exhibitions, and business matching events; advancing cross-border trade and cross-border e-commerce; studying the establishment of a Viet Nam Trade Promotion Office in Lao PDR; and enhancing logistics connectivity and commercial infrastructure.

Additionally, both sides agreed on technical-level coordination mechanisms, including the designation of focal points for each working group, the maintenance of regular communication, and the organization of periodic meetings to ensure continuous, synchronized, and effective implementation of cooperation activities.

The meeting helped translate high-level directives into concrete, actionable tasks with clear timelines and roadmaps, laying an important foundation for coordinated implementation by relevant agencies and stakeholders of both countries in 2026 and beyond, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of economic, trade, and energy cooperation between Viet Nam and Lao PDR.