Formed and nurtured in the thousand-year-old historical tradition of building and defending the country of the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos, the two provinces of Son La and Hua Phan have long had a close, friendly neighborly relationship. Promoting that tradition, the Party Committee, government and people of the two provinces always cultivate, preserve and develop a special relationship that is stronger than mountains and rivers.
During the resistance war against France, Lao Kho base, Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district, Son La province, was the place that marked the activities of the Lao Bac Volunteer Committee and Chairman Cay Xon Phom Vi Han in the years 1948 - 1951, was the place to build revolutionary bases and provide military training for the Lao revolutionary armed forces to return to build a base area in Vieng Xay district, Hua Phan province.
Lao Kho Base has now become a special national historical site (Vietnam - Laos revolutionary historical site), a symbol of solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos. This place preserves great historical values, the blood ties and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos in general, and the ethnic people of Son La province and Hua Phan province in particular in the resistance war against French colonialism to protect the Fatherland.
Special National Historical Relic of Vietnam - Laos Revolutionary Historical Relic Site in Phieng Khoai Commune, Yen Chau District.
The relic site is planned on an area of nearly 50 hectares, including: The original relic site is the old house foundation of Mr. Trang Lao Kho's family and the camps of the Lao Bac Volunteer Committee; the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Monument; a house displaying important images, documents, and artifacts about the Vietnam - Laos friendship; a place to offer incense to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh and President Cay Xon Phom Vi Han...
Among them, the most prominent is the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Monument built with the idea of a friendship monument appearing on the mountains and forests of the Northwest. The monument is built on the top of a hill, 18m high, the base is shaped like water waves with stylized lotus and Champa flowers, representing the unique culture of the two countries Vietnam - Laos. The entire relic is surrounded by vast primeval forests with many rich plant species.
Mr. Trang Lao Lu, the eldest son of Mr. Trang Lao Kho, told stories to the officers and soldiers of the People's Armed Forces.
With important historical significance, the Vietnam - Laos Revolutionary Historical Relics Special National Monument has become a place to educate patriotism, solidarity and revolutionary traditions for today's and future generations, contributing to strengthening the traditional relationship, special friendship and solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
Son Sai Thin, a Laotian student from Hua Phan province, class 60 of Information Technology College, Son La College, shared: I have been studying in Son La for 2 years. During my studies, the school organized us to visit historical sites in Son La, including the Vietnam - Laos Revolutionary Historical Site in Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district. I understand more about the special, loyal and steadfast friendship between the two countries, especially the support of the people of Lao Kho 1 in particular, and Son La in general, for the Lao revolution.
Lao students studying in Son La province visit and learn about history at the relic site.
The people of Lao Kho 1 village are always proud of their revolutionary tradition and the family of Mr. Trang Lao Kho who contributed to the revolutionary cause and the friendship between the two nations. The Government of the Lao PDR awarded the Freedom Medal to Mr. Trang Lao Kho's family and the Third Class Medal to the people of Lao Kho 1 village.
In 2013, implementing the twinning activities of the two border villages of the two provinces, Lao Kho 1 village was the first village chosen to be twinning with Na Khang village, belonging to the Phieng Sa village cluster, Xieng Kho district, Hua Phan province. With similar cultural features when both villages are inhabited by Mong people, especially the long-standing traditional relationship, the twinning helps the relationship between the two villages become closer. The two sides take turns organizing meetings to discuss the situation, unite to firmly protect territorial sovereignty; share experiences in building effective economic models, building prosperous villages; on traditional holidays, New Year or whenever someone is sick, the people of the two villages often visit and encourage each other.
Mr. Trang Lao Minh, Head of Lao Kho 1 Village, said: Before the twinning, the people of Lao Kho 1 Village and Na Khang Village were already brothers. The people of the two villages lived in harmony, and both taught their children to appreciate solidarity and be proud of the historical traditions left by their ancestors.
Close and friendly neighbors
Son La has more than 274 km of border with Laos, of which more than 242 km is bordered with Hua Phan province; the rest is bordered with Luang Prabang province. Due to geographical proximity, similarities in natural conditions and ethnic factors, Son La and Hua Phan have many similarities in the material and spiritual cultural life of the residents, especially the people in the border area. Therefore, for a long time, the people on both sides of the border have had a close relationship, making friends, being close like people from the same village, regularly visiting, exchanging and trading with each other.
Before the Party's leadership, the people of the two provinces of Hua Phan and Son La relied on and helped each other to fight for national independence and protect their villages. The uprisings of Sa Kha Sam against the Ming army, Bac Cam Ten against the yellow flag bandits, Luong Sam against the French colonialists, etc. all had the solidarity of the people of the two provinces of Son La and Hua Phan. In particular, in 1939, the Son La Prison Party Cell was established, the movement to fight against the French developed strongly in the Vietnam - Laos border area, including Son La - Hua Phan and led to victory, the two provinces together seized power from September - October 1945.
The solidarity and fighting alliance were further developed during the years of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism (1945-1975) of the people of the two provinces. Son La actively supported the Lao revolution, fought side by side with Hua Phan to destroy and repel the enemy, liberate the people and land, expand the revolutionary base, build political bases and people's armed forces, develop production, fulfill the noble international duty to the Lao revolution, contributing to consolidating and developing the solidarity and special friendship between Vietnam and Laos.
A high-ranking delegation of Hua Phan province visited and wished a happy New Year 2024 to Son La province. Photo: PV
Since 1975, when Laos and Vietnam became independent and built their countries, Hua Phan - Son La has continuously promoted cooperation, bringing the relationship between the two provinces to a new level. From a special solidarity and fighting alliance during the resistance war to a comprehensive friendship and cooperation.
A corner of Lao Kho 1 village, Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district.
Throughout the years of nation building, regardless of the circumstances, Son La and Hua Phan have always had special feelings for each other. From August 2022 to now, Hua Phan province has sent 29 working delegations with 338 people to visit, work and provide medical examinations in Son La province; Son La province has sent 31 working delegations with 259 people to visit and work in Hua Phan province. The two provinces have coordinated well in propaganda work in the political system and people of both sides about the special traditional friendship and solidarity between the two countries, creating favorable conditions for people of both sides to visit relatives, exchange culture and trade, especially people in border areas.
Son La Provincial Police and Hua Phan Provincial Police (Lao PDR) signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to ensure security and order in 2024. Photo: PV
The armed forces of the two provinces have coordinated well in exchanging information, enhancing experience exchange, improving professional skills, and coordinating well in ensuring security and order, and border security. Son La province has supported Hua Phan province with 47 working headquarters of the Public Security of the villages bordering Son La with support from the Ministry of Public Security and Son La province; supported Hua Phan province with 5 billion VND from the local budget to build a number of infrastructure works. In addition, districts of Son La province have supported districts of Hua Phan province with more than 3.2 billion VND. In 2022 - 2024, Son La province has received 125 international students from Hua Phan province to study and train at the following levels: College, university, university transfer, master's degree and 9-month Vietnamese language training at training facilities of Son La province.
Mr. Son Vong Kham Pon, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Hua Phan province, who once studied at Son La College, said: The time studying in Son La is a meaningful time that I cannot forget; not only did it help me gain knowledge, but it also helped me understand the culture and friendly, hospitable people of Son La; as well as the special friendship and solidarity between Son La and Hua Phan province in particular, and the northern provinces of Laos in general.
Strengthen and nurture special relationships
At the end of March, a delegation of Son La province led by comrade Nguyen Huu Dong, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Son La province, visited and held talks with the leaders of Hua Phan province. Delighted to welcome the high-level delegation of Son La province to visit and work, comrade Kham Pheng - Xay Som Pheng, member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Governor of Hua Phan province, affirmed: This is an important event, contributing to consolidating and deepening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Party Committees, governments and people of the two provinces, which are increasingly strong and constantly developing.
Talks between high-ranking delegations of Son La province and Hua Phan province.
During the visit and working session in Hua Phan province, the important issue that the leaders of the two provinces were interested in was the content of comprehensive cooperation in all fields in the coming time, aiming to bring the relationship between Son La and the northern provinces of Laos to a new height. The leaders of the two provinces agreed and signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation for the period 2024-2026, focusing on the following contents: Continuing to coordinate in deeply and widely disseminating to cadres, soldiers and people of each side about the tradition of special solidarity and friendship, comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, between Son La province and Hua Phan province in particular. Maintaining the exchange of delegations at all levels of the two sides for friendly visits, working and exchanging experiences in all fields; regularly maintaining the regime of information exchange, jointly coordinating to resolve arising issues.
Continue to coordinate and exchange information in ensuring national defense and security, exchanging delegations, implementing regulations on foreign affairs activities and coordinating to ensure national defense, security, social order and safety, and fighting against crimes in the two provinces according to the cooperation minutes between the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security of Laos. Coordinate the implementation of related contents to complete the upgrading procedures and organize the opening of the Long Sap - Pa Hang international border gate pair around mid-2025.
Leaders of Son La province and Hua Phan province signed a memorandum of cooperation for the 2024-2026 period. Photo: PV
Along with that, the two provinces will strengthen friendly cooperation, promote trade, propagate and introduce the image of enterprises and products made from local materials of the two provinces, about the potential and advantages of the two provinces. Continue to coordinate in implementing the Human Resource Training Plan of Hua Phan province according to the signed Memorandum of Cooperation.
Cooperate in building Son La - Hua Phan and Hua Phan - Son La tours; coordinate in researching and building the product "Border Festival" rotating at border gates with tourism development potential to introduce the indigenous culture and tourism products of the two provinces to domestic friends and tourists. Son La province continues to create conditions for officials and people of Hua Phan province to visit and receive treatment at the provincial General Hospital and medical facilities of Son La province...
Leaders of Son La and Hua Phan provinces visited the booth displaying agricultural products of Moc Chau district, Son La province.
The visit and working session in Hua Phan province of the high-ranking delegation of Son La province ended with the tight hugs and lingering hands of comrades, close brothers, and loyal Lao friends.
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Viet Anh - Duy Tung