Hanoi, Aug. 4 -- Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held official talks with his visiting Lao counterpart Malaithong Kommasith in Hanoi on August 4. Dien commended the progress made in trade cooperation, noting that bilateral trade reached 2.25 billion USD last year, marking an annual increase of 38.2% and surpassing 2 billion USD for the first time. In the first half of 2025 alone, the turnover reached 1.78 billion USD, a year-on-year rise of 92.2%. Laos continued to record a trade surplus with Vietnam. Both ministers welcomed the strengthened ties in trade promotion and business connectivity, especially the Vietnam - Laos trade fair held in Vientiane in July, which featured 250 booths and attracted strong participation from...