Tightening Friendly Relations and Cooperation Between Military Region 2 and Northern Lao Provinces

On the morning of November 5, a high-level delegation from the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic led by National Assembly Chairman Sonexay Siphandone and his Spouse visited and worked with Military Region 2.

Lao National Assembly Chairman Sonexay Siphandone and Lieutenant General Tran Van Bac — Commander of Military Region 2 — at the reception.

Participating in the delegation on the Central Government side were Members of the Party Central Committee: Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Doan Anh — Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; Vu Hai Ha — Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs; alongside leadership representatives of the National Assembly Office.

Lao National Assembly Chairman Sonexay Siphandone speaking during the visit to Military Region 2.

On the Phu Tho province side were: Bui Duc Hinh — Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council; Nguyen Thi Hong Lam — Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council; alongside leadership representatives of several departments, boards, sectors, and localities.

Receiving and working with the delegation on the Military Region 2 side was Lieutenant General Tran Van Bac — Member of the Party Central Committee and Commander of Military Region 2. Also present were leadership comrades of Military Region 2.

Speaking at the working session, Lao National Assembly Chairman Sonexay Siphandone emphasized that the visit to Vietnam, including Phu Tho province, carries special significance, as this is the first destination in his official foreign visiting program after the 10th Lao National Assembly successfully organized its Second Session and he was trusted and elected as Chairman of the National Assembly for the 2026–2031 tenure.

The high-level delegation of the Lao National Assembly.

The visit demonstrates the special value placed by the Lao Party, State, and National Assembly on the Vietnam–Laos great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation—while affirming the desire to continue nurturing and driving the fine traditional relationship between the two countries to develop increasingly deep and tight.

The Lao National Assembly Chairman informed about the country’s socio-economic development, political security, and social order and safety situation; while exchanging views on the organization and operations of the Lao National Assembly over the past period.

Accordingly, the 10th Lao National Assembly organized important sessions, examining and deciding on many major issues—focusing on National Assembly leadership personnel work, perfecting the Government apparatus, and streamlining organizational structure to contribute to elevating operational efficacy and efficiency.

Central, local, and Military Region 2 delegates at the reception.

The Lao National Assembly Chairman highly evaluated cooperation results between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Lao National Assembly over the past 5 years. Both sides agreed to continue reviewing and supplementing cooperation contents during the tenure to ensure alignment with practical realities. Concurrently, strengthening coordination, mutual support, and assistance at regional and international forums.

He also acknowledged and highly evaluated cooperation results between Military Region 2 and 8 Northern Lao provinces over the past period. This serves as vivid evidence of the solidarity, attachment, and effective cooperation among the Parties, States, Armies, and Peoples of both countries.

Lao National Assembly Chairman Sonexay Siphandone presenting a commemorative gift to Lieutenant General Tran Van Bac — Commander of Military Region 2.

Emphasizing the major significance of 2027 for relations between both countries, the Lao National Assembly Chairman stated that both Parties and States agreed to organize activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam–Laos diplomatic relations and the 55th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam–Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

On behalf of the Region Command and officers and soldiers of the Military Region armed forces, Lieutenant General Tran Van Bac — Commander of Military Region 2 — expressed joy and honor to welcome the National Assembly Chairman, his Spouse, and the high-level delegation of the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to visit Military Region 2.

Over the past period, Military Region 2 and Northern Lao provinces and units effectively deployed numerous contents of cooperation and sister-city pairings—focusing on delegation exchanges across levels; cooperation in cadre training and instruction; constructing developed village clusters; infrastructure construction aid; and particularly coordinating in search and collection of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and military experts who sacrificed their lives in Laos.

Lieutenant General Tran Van Bac — Commander of Military Region 2 — presenting a commemorative gift to Lao National Assembly Chairman Sonexay Siphandone.

Military Region 2 leadership presenting a gift to the Spouse of the Lao National Assembly Chairman.

The Commander of Military Region 2 emphasized: The visit by the Lao National Assembly Chairman and the high-level delegation demonstrates the profound care extended by leaders of the Lao Party, State, and National Assembly to the armed forces of Military Region 2.

Concurrently, he expressed the desire that in the coming time, the National Assembly Chairman will continue to pay attention to and further nurture the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between Military Region 2 and Northern Lao provinces and units in particular; especially directing the creation of favorable conditions for Military Region 2 units executing tasks in Northern Laos to successfully accomplish all assigned missions.

Through this, the armed forces of Military Region 2 will gain additional conditions to make practical contributions to the overall development of Laos in general and Northern Lao provinces in particular.

Duc Anh