VSS and the National Social Security Office of Laos signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the period 2026-2028.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr.Le Hung Son emphasized that the presence of the high-level delegation from NSSF Laos signifies not only the continued strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two institutions but also serves as a vivid testament to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

He affirmed that building upon the strong traditional relationship, VSS highly values maintaining, consolidating, and developing cooperation with NSSF Laos in social security. Through previous MoUs for the periods 2016-2020 and 2022-2025, both sides have implemented numerous practical activities, including exchanging professional experiences, providing technical support, sharing management experience, and enhancing exchanges and delegations at various levels. During the 2022-2025 period, 5 Lao delegations visited Vietnam to learn from experiences, and one VSS delegation traveled to Laos to share insights on digital transformation and administrative procedure reform within the social security sector.

The MoU signed for the 2026-2028 period reflects the shared determination of both parties to promote increasingly substantive and effective cooperation. This partnership will align with the development needs of each country, thereby contributing to enhancing the capacity for implementing SI and HI policies in a modern, effective, and efficient manner, ultimately better serving citizens and businesses.

Sharing the notable achievements of VSS in recent years, Mr.Le Hung Son said that since transitioning to a new organizational model under the Ministry of Finance in March 2025, VSS, has achieved many positive results in implementing SI, HI, UI  policies through strong determination and a range of comprehensive and coordinated measures, along with intensified administrative reform, information technology application, and digital transformation efforts. By the end of May 2026, the number of SI  participants is estimated to reach 21.91 million, up 12% year-on-year; the number of UI participants is projected at 17.35 million; the number of HI participants is estimated to reach 98.56 million people. VSS has settled and paid sickness and maternity benefits for more than 3.6 million people, provided unemployment benefits to more than 239,000 individuals, and ensured HI benefits for more than 77 million medical examination and treatment visits".

According to the Director of VSS, as both Vietnam and Laos are currently restructuring and improving the effectiveness of their social security systems, strengthening cooperation and experience-sharing between the two agencies would be highly practical and meaningful. VSS’s experience in organizational management, fund administration, administrative reform, digital transformation, management of HI-covered medical services, and expanding SI & HI  coverage could provide useful references for the Lao side. At the same time, VSS also hopes to continue learning from Laos’ practical experience in implementing social security policies.

At the ceremony, Chomyeang Phengthongsawath, Director General of the Lao NSS, highly appreciated the effective and practical cooperation between the two institutions in recent years. He affirmed that VSS has actively supported the Lao side through various activities, including experience-sharing, training, capacity-building for staff, and professional exchanges in social security.

The Director General of the Lao NSS noted that Laos is currently working to improve its policy system, streamline its organizational structure, and accelerate the application of information technology and digital transformation in the implementation of SI & HI policies. Therefore, VSS’s  experience in administrative reform, digital transformation, fund management, expanding SI and HI  coverage, and improving service quality for citizens and businesses provides important reference value for the Lao NSS.

Under the MoU for the 2026–2028 period, the two sides will focus cooperation on a number of areas, including the development and improvement of SI & HI policy systems; capacity-building for personnel; sharing experience in specialized inspection activities; digital transformation and information technology application; fund investment management; and the implementation of cashless payments for SI & HI benefits.

Specific cooperation activities under the MoU will be carried out from 2026 to 2028, including sharing experience in expanding SI & HI coverage; digital transformation in benefit payment processes; HI assessment and reimbursement; strengthening inspection capacity; management of SI fund investments; communications, and participant development. The two sides will also conduct a review and assessment of the implementation results of the MoU at the end of 2028 in order to orient cooperation for the next period.

Director General Chomyeang Phengthongsawath expressed confidence that the 2026–2028 MoU would continue to provide a favorable framework for both sides to strengthen exchanges of experience and mutual support in implementing social security policies, thereby contributing to further consolidating the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos in an increasingly effective and sustainable manner.

The signing ceremony of the 2026–2028 MoU once again affirmed the determination of the two institutions to strengthen ties and promote comprehensive cooperation, while also contributing to the continued development of the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos towards sustainable development.