On the occasion of the 60th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations (1962-2022) and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (1977-2022) as well as on the occasion of attending ASSA 39 in Laos, on Nov 22nd, VSS has a bilateral meeting with MoLSW, National Laos Social Protection (NLSP) to summarize, evaluate the cooperation results in the 2016-2020 period. At the same time, VSS will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation with MoLSW in the 2022-2025 period. The event contributes to consolidation and enhancement of Viet Nam – Laos’ special traditional and comprehensive relation under Party and Government’s direction in the Viet Nam - Laos, Laos – Viet Nam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

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Accordingly, the two sides plan to continue cooperating and deploying activities in the coming time including sharing experience on administrative reform on social security; sharing experience on implementing digital transformation in social security; sharing experience on implementing

law on social insurance inspection, and health insurance; sharing good experiences in building and implementing social security regimes and policies; continuing to expand cooperation fields to fit with the capacity of each side and their demand.

Especially, on this occasion, VSS shall award the “For the cause of Viet Nam Social Security” medals to individuals with outstanding performance in developing the cooperation relationship between VSS and MoLSW including Mr. Padeumphone Sonthany -  Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, former General Director Lao Social Security Organisation; Ms. Keo Chanthavixay- General Director Lao Social Security Organisation.

Since 1998, VSS has established a relationship with MoLSW and particularly with General Director Lao Social Security Organisation (the precursor is National Social Security Fund). In Dec 2015, at the 38th conference of the Viet Nam – Laos Intergovernmental Commission, with the witness of two countries’ Government leaders, VSS and MoLSW signed the Cooperation Memorandum and Action Progrmame between 2016 and 2020 which is the directing basis for the following cooperation of the two sides. Since then, the two agencies have had close cooperation activities under the framework of the MOU such as exchanging high-level and technical working delegations to learn and share experiences on implementing social security policies and actively participating in international conferences held by the two agencies.

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The signed MOU shall create a legal basis for promoting, and developing a cooperation relationship in social security between the two countries in the future; at the same time, establishing a coordination mechanism between the two sides in improving the capacity of professional staff; sharing good experiences in formulating and implementing social and health insurance policies.

After five- year implementation, VSS and MoLSW continued to actively participate in online activities on exchanging information and sharing experiences bilaterally and multilaterally in ASEAN region which were chaired by the two agencies for the period of 2020-2022.

In Aug 2022, the conference held in Quang Nam province summarized and evaluated the two agencies’ bilateral cooperation results for the period of 2016 and 2022 and the cooperation direction for the period of 2022 and 2025. At the conference, the MoLSW emphasized the necessity of learning and exchanging experiences with VSS to ensure social security for the people...

Recently, under the framework of the Laos Culture-Society Committee delegates’ visiting and working trip with VSS, the two sides agreed that in the coming time, VSS shall continue supporting Laos in expanding social and health insurance coverage; effectively managing and investing funds; building a database on social insurance; completing the digital transformation; supporting, sharing experiences with Laos about amending Law on Social Security to match with practice.

After 5 years of implementing the MOU and the Action Programme between VSS and MoLSW, overcoming difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, VSS and MoLSW continued participating actively in online activities chaired and organised by the two sides in 2020-2022.