Lao PDR Prime Minister, Viet Nam Prime Minister Discuss Reopening Border Gates

Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Viet Nam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held a phone conversation to discuss bilateral ties and regional cooperation. Noting that Lao PDR and Viet Nam have managed the COVID-19 pandemic well, they highlighted the need to further facilitate cargo and passenger movement between their countries, and to soon reach consensus on plans to reopen mainland border gates and resume commercial flights.  

The two leaders hailed comprehensive bilateral coordination in several key areas including economy, trade, investment, and information, and vowed to give top priority to their relations and friendship. They lauded their continued close collaboration and mutual support at regional and global forums, including through subregional cooperation mechanisms.  

The GMS Cross Border Trade Agreement [3], which includes Lao PDR and Viet Nam as contracting parties, allows the unimpeded travel for agreed goods, passengers, and vehicles in the subregion. It complements economic corridors and physical infrastructure and investment, and creates a more favorable environment for cross-border trade, investment, and tourism.