Son La province represents Vietnam in the beautiful booth competition at the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPo 2023). Photo: PV

Implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, Son La province has paid attention to and focused on foreign affairs and international integration. Up to now, the province has built comprehensive friendship and cooperation relations with 9 provinces of Laos; cooperative relations with 20 diplomatic representative agencies in Vietnam; and 31 foreign non-governmental organizations have sponsored activities for Son La province.

In order to raise awareness, responsibility, create consensus and high determination of all levels and sectors on international integration in the new situation, concretize the viewpoints, goals, tasks and solutions set out in Resolution No. 153/NQ-CP of the Government and Plan No. 311-KH/TU of the Provincial Party Standing Committee on implementing Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025 of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation, on June 26, 2025, the Provincial People's Committee issued Plan No. 152/KH-UBND, with key tasks and main solutions; clearly assign tasks to localities and units, ensuring effective implementation.

Accordingly, the Provincial People's Committee directed departments, branches and localities to focus on leading and directing the promotion of propaganda work, raising awareness, renewing thinking and action on international integration in the new situation. Improve the quality of research, forecasting the situation, pay attention to investing in human resources and adequate financial resources to proactively take advantage of opportunities brought about by international integration; proactively prevent and effectively respond to negative impacts in the international integration process, especially in the field of trade and investment; raise vigilance, proactively prevent and promptly detect and effectively combat the acts of hostile forces taking advantage of the international integration trend to carry out sabotage activities through investment and trade cooperation activities.

Continue to develop and seriously and effectively implement plans and action programs to implement free trade agreements (FTAs) in the province for the period 2025-2030 in order to seek, expand and diversify export markets, better and more effectively exploit opportunities from free trade agreements, especially new generation free trade agreements. Support businesses in building brands of typical products of the province. Organize participation in domestic events and exhibitions. Research and develop potential markets in Southeast Asia (ASEAN), Japan, Korea, countries in the Middle East, the United States, the European Union (EU)...

Actively promote digital economy, green economy, circular economy. Accelerate the implementation of activities to gradually integrate international tourism and cultural products; combine product advantages to build Son La tourism brand, increase product added value, and act as a driving force to accelerate the international integration process of products.

Focus on developing traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with localities of the Lao PDR in an increasingly in-depth and practical direction, creating a solid foundation for effective and sustainable cooperation between the two sides.

Promote and innovate the work of attracting foreign investment, improve the efficiency of management and use of investment capital sources. Protect the legitimate interests of businesses and consumers in international economic, trade and investment disputes. Strengthen people's diplomacy; international cooperation in science, technology development, innovation and digital transformation; build friendly cooperative relationships, ensure security and politics for the country and the province, and exchange experiences and learn from each other.

Focus on training and fostering the team working in foreign affairs and international integration of departments, branches, localities, units and enterprises, improving political capacity, knowledge and skills in economic diplomacy, international law and international economic integration.