Trade and tourism in focus: Forum strengthens Vietnam-Laos-Thailand ties

Trade and tourism in focus: Forum strengthens Vietnam-Laos-Thailand ties

A major forum to promote trade, investment and tourism was held on May 23, 2025 in Sekong Province, Laos. Loud Vietnam.vn The event was organized by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Pakse and the Sekong Provincial Government and attracted representatives from 19 Vietnamese provinces and cities as well as four provinces in southern Laos. Ubon Ratchathani Province in Thailand was also represented. The aim of the forum was to strengthen economic cooperation in the East-West Economic Corridor and prepare for the 2025 Trade and Tourism Fair to be held from May 21 to 23, 2025 at the Sekong Provincial Trade Center.

Consul General Ta Phuong Dung emphasized the important role of the forum in creating a sustainable development area between Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. The event took place both in person and online, increasing accessibility for international participants. The Governor of Sekong Province, Mr. Leklay Sivilay, highlighted how the forum is crucial in promoting the potential of Sekong Province as well as deepening ties with Vietnam and Thailand. Delegates had the opportunity to present the strengths of their locations and discuss opportunities to attract investors.

Promoting the East-West economic corridor

The forum is an annual event aimed at strengthening cooperation between countries. A central point of the discussion was the East-West economic corridor, the development of which was decided on at a ministerial conference in Manila in 1998. This corridor stretches over 1,450 kilometers and plays a significant role in the economic integration of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Loud der-markt.net The corridor is expected to generate enormous economic growth through improved infrastructure and the removal of customs barriers.

Analysis of the East-West Economic Corridor shows that the benefits for participating countries and regions could be as high as $568 billion, according to estimates by the Asian Development Bank. Forum participants agreed that implementing measures to improve connectivity to the corridor is crucial for sustainable economic development. A well-connected corridor could not only reduce travel times but also strengthen trade relations.

Trade and Tourism Fair 2025

A trade and tourism fair was also held as part of the forum, involving 47 stands, including 12 Vietnamese, 34 Lao and one Thai stand. This fair served not only to exchange trade relations, but also to promote cultural and tourism products as well as agricultural products. The promotion of OCOP and ODOP products was considered important to promote socio-economic development.

The forum represented a significant step to further advance trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam, Laos and Thailand and to better utilize regional potential. Trade and tourism cooperation was highlighted as essential for future economic development in the region, and participants are optimistic that this annual initiative will have long-term positive effects.