From December 1st to 3rd, 2025, Governor Nguyen Thi Hong of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) accompanied General Secretary To Lam during his official visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), and co-chaired the Bilateral Meeting between the SBV and the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL). The successful visit further strengthened the ties between Vietnam and the Lao PDR, particularly in the finance and banking sectors.
Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the National Day of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
Within the framework of the official visit, the SBV Governor attended a series of important events, including the ceremony marking the 50th Anniversary of the Lao National Day, and the 105th birthday of the late State President Kaysone Phomvihane; the talks between the two General Secretaries; and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Banking Cooperation for the 2026–2030 period with the Governor of the Bank of the Lao PDR.
Positive outcomes of the Bilateral Meeting
Governor Nguyen Thi Hong chairs the Policy Dialogue between the two central banks
On December 3, 2025, SBV Governor Nguyen Thi Hong and BOL Governor Bounkham Vorachit co-chaired the annual Bilateral Meeting between the SBV and the BOL in Vientiane. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the macro-economic situations, the monetary policy directions, and banking developments in each country.
The two sides also discussed the operations of their commercial banking systems and outlined future cooperation orientations, with particular emphasis on strengthening the banking supervision through the adoption of Basel standards and enhancing risk management related to credit quality, liquidity, and foreign exchange. These priorities were reaffirmed as essential to ensuring long-term and sustainable financial sector development in both countries.
At the meeting, the two Governors also highlighted encouraging achievements in promoting the use of the local currencies (VND/LAK) in trade and investment; expanding retail payment connectivity through two-way QR code systems; and other cooperating activities related to the cultural and sports exchanges, training, and healthcare.
The two Governors co-chair a Dialogue with Vietnamese commercial banks operating in the Lao PDR
Moreover, the two Governors also co-chaired a Dialogue with leaders of Vietnamese commercial banks operating in the Lao PDR (BIDV, Vietcombank, VietinBank, SHB, MB, and Sacombank). Both Governors acknowledged and highly appreciated the contributions of these banks. Regarding the proposals and recommendations raised by the banks, the Governors agreed to assign the relevant units of the two central banks to review and report to the competent authorities of both sides for timely solutions.
Governor Nguyen Thi Hong and Governor Bounkham Vorachit signed the Minutes of the 2025 Bilateral Meeting
Toward the end of the meeting, Governor Nguyen Thi Hong and Governor Bounkham Vorachit signed the Minutes of the 2025 Bilateral Meeting, reaffirming the agreed discussions and cooperation priorities for the coming year. Both sides committed to effectively implementing the agreed initiatives and further expanding the cooperation into new potential areas. In her closing remarks, the SBV Governor expressed her belief that, with strong mutual determination and joint efforts, the cooperation between the two central banks in particular, and between Vietnam and Lao PDR in general, will continue to deepen, yielding substantive and practical results, contributing to the prosperity and stability of both countries.
SBV Governor and Delegation visit Vietnamese commercial banks operating in the Lao PDR
As part of the official visit, Governor Nguyen Thi Hong also visited and encouraged staff and employees of the Lao-Viet Joint Venture Bank, Vietcombank, and VietinBank branches operating in the Lao PDR.
According to the plan, the next high-level Bilateral Meeting will be held in Vietnam in 2026.
LH