Hanoi:Defence ministers from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia convened in Hanoi on October 14, 2026, to strengthen trilateral military cooperation and outline their collaborative priorities for 2027. These priorities include joint border patrols, disaster relief exercises, and the exchange of young military officers.

According to Lao News Agency, the meeting was attended by General Khamlieng Outhakaysone from Laos, General Phan Van Giang from Vietnam, and General Tea Seiha from Cambodia. Held at the Foreign Relations Department of the Vietnam People's Army, the ministers reviewed progress made in defence cooperation, referencing previous trilateral meetings in Vientiane and Phnom Penh, as well as an exchange program for young officers in Da Nang.

The ministers emphasized maintaining annual trilateral meetings to address regional and international security issues. They agreed on conducting joint search-and-rescue and disaster response exercises and continuing exchanges among young military officers. The importance of strengthening border coordination through joint patrols and timely information sharing was also highlighted, particularly to combat illegal crossings, human trafficking, drug and arms trafficking, smuggling, and other transnational crimes.

Additionally, the countries committed to cooperating in maintaining and restoring border markers, resolving unresolved border issues, and promoting stable and friendly borders conducive to development. They also reaffirmed their mutual support in regional and international defence forums such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a memorandum on trilateral defence cooperation. On the same day, General Khamlieng Outhakaysone and the Lao delegation met with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam, in a courtesy call in Hanoi.