Coal is among Vietnam’s key imports from Laos. Pictured is the Kalum coal mine in Sekong province, Laos

Vietnam's exports to the neighbour nation reached over US$117 million, marking a sharp increase of 106.5%. Key export items included petroleum products, chemical products, machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts. Meanwhile, imports from Laos totaled more than US$173 million, up 47.2% compared to the same period in 2024. Major imported goods comprised rubber, coal, wood and wood products, and fertilizers.

In 2024, economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Laos recorded impressive results, surpassing US$2 billion in total trade and achieving a trade surplus of over US$2.2 billion, an increase of nearly 34% from 2023. This outcome significantly exceeded the target set by the two governments.

However, experts noted that trade cooperation between the two nations remains below its full potential despite the special relationship between the two countries. At its current scale, bilateral trade accounts for only about 10% of Laos' total foreign trade and 0.2% of Vietnam's.

In 2025, Vietnam and Laos aim to boost trade turnover by 10-15% compared to 2024, with the goal of hitting US$5 billion in bilateral trade in the time ahead./.