The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam and the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee visited the tea plantation area of ​​Satoen Tea Factory in Van Ho commune.

Mr. Luu Binh Khiem, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said: From the beginning of the year until now, the Department has advised and submitted to higher authorities for approval 75 delegations, including provincial leaders, heads of departments, agencies, and communes, to visit and work in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Russian Federation, and a number of other countries and territories, to implement signed cooperation agreements; strengthen cooperation in economic development, trade, tourism, education, training, and health; promote investment and exchange experiences in state management. At the same time, the Department welcomed 56 delegations, with 250 international visitors, mainly leaders of departments, agencies, and localities of the Lao People's Democratic Republic sharing a border with Son La province; international organizations, foreign non-governmental organizations; foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam; foreign businesses and investors; and delegations to survey cooperation opportunities in the province.

Regarding economic diplomacy, our province has coordinated with Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and central ministries and agencies to introduce the province's potential, advantages, and cooperation needs to international partners. We have strengthened connections with international organizations, foreign non-governmental organizations, business associations, and foreign investors to seek cooperation opportunities and mobilize resources for local development. We have also promoted the province's key agricultural products, such as coffee, tea, mangoes, longan, plums, passion fruit, and OCOP products, to international markets.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Vietnam learns about the tea production and processing procedures according to Japanese standards at the Satoen Tea Factory in Van Ho commune.

From the beginning of the year until now, the total export turnover in the province has reached 128.1 million USD, an increase of 13.93% compared to the same period in 2025. The main export items are coffee, tea, mangoes, longan, cassava starch, processed agricultural products, and some other items. The main export markets are China, Laos, ASEAN countries, the EU, and some other markets. As of June 30th, the province has attracted 8 active foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total registered capital of 160.6 million USD. These FDI projects are mainly concentrated in agriculture, agricultural processing, renewable energy, and services.

Regarding ODA and grant funding, the total disbursed value in the past six months exceeded 43.6 billion VND. Currently, the province is implementing 5 projects using ODA capital (3 grant projects and 2 ODA loan projects), focusing on rural development, health, education, poverty reduction, environmental protection, and capacity building.

A highlight in the signing and implementation of international agreements is the province's cooperation agreement to send provincial workers to work seasonally in agriculture in South Korea. The province has directed relevant departments and agencies to coordinate with South Korean localities to exchange and agree on the needs and number of workers to be recruited; the conditions and selection criteria; and the labor recruitment process. Simultaneously, it has directed the People's Committees of communes and wards to review and register the demand for seasonal agricultural work in South Korea. Based on this compilation, currently, 542 workers from the province have registered to participate in seasonal work in South Korea.

A delegation from the Lao Front for National Construction of Bokeo and Oudomxay provinces visited the Son La Prison National Special Monument.

In cultural diplomacy, the province has focused on organizing cultural, artistic, and sports exchange programs for Lao students studying in the area. It promotes the province's unique cultural values ​​such as Thai Xoe dance, Mong ethnic culture, traditional festivals, and the cultural space of the Northwest region. It introduces tourism products, OCOP products, and characteristic agricultural products of the province at foreign affairs and trade promotion events. Cultural promotion activities are integrated into programs welcoming international delegations visiting and working in the province.

Muong Hung commune shares a border with Muong Et district, Hua Phan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic. Mr. Nguyen Chi Phuc, Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, stated that in the first six months of the year, the commune organized visits and extended New Year greetings for the traditional Bun Pi May festival in Muong Et district. They also discussed and agreed to further strengthen coordination in border management and protection; promote people-to-people exchanges and share experiences in socio-economic development; and contribute to building a peaceful, stable, friendly, and sustainably developing border region.

The achievements gained through foreign relations and expanded international cooperation have opened up opportunities for breakthroughs, elevating Son La's position and affirming its image as a dynamic, friendly mountainous province deeply integrated with the region and the world.

Nguyen Thu