HCMC – The Finance Ministries of Vietnam and Laos have signed a cooperation agreement for 2026-2030 focused on strengthening financial management capacity and expanding collaboration across key areas of public finance.
The agreement was exchanged on June 7 by Vietnamese Finance Minister Ngo Van Tuan and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Santiphab Phomvihane under the witness of the two countries’ prime ministers following talks in Hanoi City, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
The signing was one of four cooperation documents exchanged during the official visit to Vietnam by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who is attending the third ASEAN Future Forum from June 7 to 9.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the agreement builds on cooperation results achieved during 2021-2025 and aligns with the bilateral cooperation framework between the two governments for 2026-2030.
Under the agreement, the two ministries will implement a comprehensive cooperation program covering institutional capacity building, improvements to financial policy frameworks, human resource development, upgrades to facilities and equipment, and professional exchanges between finance officials.
During 2026-2030, Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance will continue to support its Lao counterpart in customs, taxation, treasury operations, state budget management, debt management, public asset management, procurement, and other financial sectors.
The two sides will also expand training cooperation, with plans to provide master’s and doctoral scholarships for officials of Laos’ Ministry of Finance to study in Vietnam.
The ministries will maintain exchanges of high-level delegations, promote cooperation among their affiliated units, and encourage collaboration between local financial authorities, particularly in provinces along the Vietnam-Laos border.
Cooperation activities will take place through delegation exchanges, expert assignments, training programs, seminars, field surveys, and both in-person and online formats, according to the ministry.
The ministry said the agreement is intended to strengthen bilateral financial cooperation, improve state financial management capacity, and facilitate investment and business activities between enterprises in the two countries.
