The Investment Promotion Conference on the Agricultural Sector in the Lao PDR was held on 22 October 2026 in Vientiane Capital. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao PDR in cooperation with the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the Lao PDR.
The conference was co-chaired by Mr. Xaynakhone Inthavong, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Environment, and Mr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the Lao PDR. A total of 256 participants attended, including senior leaders of the National Assembly and representatives from the public and private sectors of both countries.
Both sides emphasized the importance of promoting investment in the agricultural sector, particularly crop cultivation and livestock production, to meet domestic market demand and support exports. They also highlighted the potential for promoting agri-tourism, an area of opportunity for both countries, in line with sustainable and green development. Particular emphasis was placed on promoting clean agriculture, increasing value addition, and adopting appropriate technologies.
On this occasion, Ms. Thavichanh Thiengthepvongsa, Deputy Director General, representing the Investment Promotion and Management Committee (IPMC), delivered a presentation on investment promotion policies and investment procedures in the agricultural sector in the Lao PDR. She highlighted investment opportunities in agriculture, including commercial tree plantations, livestock production, food processing, and other related sectors.
She further reported that, since the Lao PDR opened its doors to foreign investment in 1989, a total of 441 projects from Vietnamese enterprises had been approved, with a total approved investment value of USD 12.7 billion. These investments comprised USD 8.21 billion in electricity and energy, USD 2 billion in services, more than USD 1 billion in mining, and USD 755 million in agriculture.
Viet Nam currently ranks as the second-largest foreign investor in the Lao PDR, among 53 countries investing in the country.