Formed and nurtured within the thousand-year history of nation-building and national defense of the Vietnamese and Lao peoples, Son La and Hua Phan provinces have long enjoyed close and friendly neighborly relations. Building on this tradition, the Party committees, governments, and people of both provinces have always cultivated, preserved, and developed this special relationship, stronger than mountains and rivers.
During the resistance war against the French, the Lao Kho base in Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district, Son La province, marked the activities of the Northern Lao Front and Chairman Kaysone Phomvihane in the years 1948-1951. It was also the place where revolutionary bases were established and military training was provided for the Lao revolutionary armed forces who returned to build a base area in Vieng Xay district, Hua Phan province.
The 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. It preserves immense historical values, reflecting the close ties and unwavering fighting solidarity between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between the people of Son La province and Hua Phan province in particular, during the resistance against French colonialism and the defense of the homeland.
The Vietnam-Laos Revolutionary Historical Site is a special national historical monument located in Phiêng Khoài commune, Yên Châu district.
The historical site is planned on an area of nearly 50 hectares, including: the original site which is the old house foundation of Mr. Trang Lao Kho's family and the barracks of the Northern Lao Front; the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Monument; an exhibition house displaying important images, documents, and artifacts about the Vietnam-Laos friendship; and a place to offer incense in commemoration of President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane...
Among the highlights is the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Monument, built with the concept of a flower-shaped friendship monument appearing amidst the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam. The monument is built on a hilltop, standing 18 meters tall, with a base shaped like waves and stylized lotus and frangipani flower petals, representing the distinctive cultures of Vietnam and Laos. The entire site is surrounded by vast primeval forests with a rich variety of plant life.
Mr. Trang Lao Lu, the eldest son of Mr. Trang Lao Kho, recounts his story to the officers and soldiers of the armed forces.
With its significant historical importance, the Vietnam-Laos Revolutionary Historical Site has become a place for educating present and future generations about patriotism, solidarity, and revolutionary traditions, contributing to strengthening the traditional relationship, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
Son Sai Thin, a Lao student from Hua Phan province, class K60 of the Information Technology College at Son La College, shared: "I've been studying in Son La for two years. During my studies, the school organized trips for us to visit historical sites in Son La, including the Vietnam-Lao Revolutionary Historical Site in Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district. I've come to understand even more 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 visited and learned about history at the historical site.
The people of Lao Kho 1 village are always proud of their revolutionary traditions and proud of the Trang Lao Kho family's contributions to the revolutionary cause and the friendship between the two nations. The Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic awarded the Freedom Medal to the Trang Lao Kho family and the Third Class Medal to the people of Lao Kho 1 village.
In 2013, as part of the twinning program between villages on the border of the two provinces, Lao Kho 1 village was the first to be chosen to twinning with Na Khang village, part of the Phieng Sa cluster of villages in Xieng Kho district, Hua Phan province. With similar cultural characteristics, as both villages are inhabited by the Hmong people, and especially with their long-standing traditional relationship, the twinning program has strengthened the bond between the two villages. They alternately hold meetings to exchange information, unite to firmly protect territorial sovereignty, share experiences in building effective economic models, and create prosperous villages. During traditional holidays and when someone is sick, the people of the two villages also frequently visit and encourage each other.
Mr. Trang Lao Minh, Head of Lao Kho 1 village, said: Before the fraternal relationship, the people of Lao Kho 1 village and Na Khang village were already like brothers. The people of the two villages lived in harmony, and both taught their children to cherish solidarity and be proud of the historical traditions left by their ancestors.
Close and friendly neighbors
Son La province has over 274 km of border with Laos, of which over 242 km is bordered by Hua Phan province; the remainder is bordered by Luang Prabang province. Due to geographical proximity, similarities in natural conditions, and shared ethnic backgrounds, Son La and Hua Phan have many similarities in the material and spiritual cultural life of their inhabitants, especially those in the border region. Therefore, for a long time, the people on both sides of the border have had a close relationship, forming friendships and close ties like fellow villagers, frequently visiting, exchanging, and trading with each other.
Before the Party's leadership, the people of Hua Phan and Son La provinces relied on and helped each other in the struggle for national independence and the protection of their villages. The uprisings of Sa Kha Sam against the Ming army, Bac Cam Ten against the Yellow Flag rebels, and Luong Sam against the French colonialists, all demonstrated the solidarity and fighting spirit of the people of Son La and Hua Phan provinces. In particular, in 1939, the Son La prison Party cell was established, and the anti-French resistance movement developed strongly in the Vietnam-Laos border region, including Son La and Hua Phan, leading to victory, with both provinces seizing power from September to October 1945.
The spirit of solidarity and close alliance in the struggle was further developed during the years of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism (1945-1975) between the people of the two provinces. Son La actively supported the Lao revolution, fighting side-by-side with Hua Phan to eliminate and repel the enemy, liberate the people and land, expand the revolutionary base area, build political foundations and people's armed forces, develop production, fulfill its noble international duty to the Lao revolution, and contribute to consolidating and developing the special fighting solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos.
A high-ranking delegation from Hua Phan province visited and extended New Year greetings to Son La province for the Year of the Dragon 2024. Photo: PV
From 1975 to the present, as Laos and Vietnam gained independence and began rebuilding their nations, Hua Phan and Son La provinces have continuously strengthened their cooperative relationship, elevating it to a new level. This has evolved 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 national development, under any circumstances, Son La and Hua Phan have always shared a special bond. Just since August 2022, Hua Phan province has sent 29 delegations with 338 people to visit, work, and provide medical care in Son La province; Son La province has sent 31 delegations with 259 people to visit and work in Hua Phan province. The two provinces have coordinated well in disseminating information within their political systems and among the people about the special traditional friendship and solidarity between the two countries, creating favorable conditions for people from both sides to visit relatives, exchange culture and trade, especially in border areas.
The Son La Provincial Police and the Hua Phan Provincial Police (Lao People's Democratic Republic) signed a memorandum of 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 sharing, improving professional skills, and effectively coordinating efforts to ensure security and order, as well as border security. Son La province has supported Hua Phan province with 47 police stations in border villages with Son La, using funds from the Ministry of Public Security and Son La province; and provided Hua Phan province with 5 billion VND from the local budget to build several infrastructure projects. In addition, districts of Son La province have supported districts of Hua Phan province with more than 3.2 billion VND. From 2022 to 2024, Son La province received 125 students from Hua Phan province to study and train at college, university, university transfer, master's, and 9-month Vietnamese language training levels at training facilities in Son La province.
Mr. Son Vong Kham Poon, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Hua Phan Province, who once studied at Son La College, said: "My time studying in Son La was a meaningful period that I can never forget; it not only helped me gain knowledge, but also helped me understand the culture and the friendly, hospitable people of Son La; as well as the special friendship and solidarity between Son La and Hua Phan Province in particular, and with the northern provinces of Laos in general."
Strengthening and nurturing a special relationship.
In late March, a delegation from Son La province, led by Comrade Nguyen Huu Dong, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the Son La Provincial National Assembly Delegation, visited and held talks with the leaders of Hua Phan province. Welcoming the high-level delegation from Son La province, Comrade Kham Pheng Xay Som Pheng, Member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and 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, making it increasingly strong and continuously developing.
Meeting between high-level delegations from Son La province and Hua Phan province.
During the visit and working trip to Hua Phan province, the key issue of concern for the leaders of the two provinces was the comprehensive cooperation in various fields in the coming period, aiming to elevate the relationship between Son La and the northern provinces of Laos to a new level. 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 disseminating information to officials, soldiers, and people on both sides about the tradition of special friendship and solidarity, and the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between Son La and Hua Phan provinces in particular. Maintaining exchanges of delegations at all levels from both sides for friendly visits, working sessions, and experience sharing in various fields; regularly maintaining a system of information exchange and jointly resolving emerging issues.
Continue to coordinate and exchange information in ensuring national defense and security, exchange delegations, implement regulations on foreign affairs activities, and coordinate in ensuring national defense, security, social order and safety, and combating crime in the two provinces according to the cooperation agreement 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 procedures for upgrading and organizing 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 understanding on cooperation for the period 2024-2026. Photo: PV
In addition, the two provinces will strengthen friendly cooperation, promote trade, and publicize the image of businesses and products manufactured using local materials from both provinces, as well as the potential and advantages of both provinces. They will continue to coordinate the implementation of the Human Resource Training Plan of Hua Phan province according to the signed cooperation agreement.
Cooperation in developing tourism tours between Son La and Hua Phan; joint research on developing a "Border Festival" product, rotating at border gates with tourism development potential, to introduce the local culture and tourism products of the two provinces to friends and domestic tourists. Son La province will continue to facilitate officials and people from Hua Phan province to visit and receive medical examination and treatment at the provincial general hospital and other medical facilities in Son La province...
Leaders from Son La province and Hua Phan province visited the booth displaying agricultural products from Moc Chau district, Son La province.
The visit and working trip to Hua Phan province by the high-level delegation from Son La province concluded with warm embraces and lingering handshakes from close comrades, brothers, and loyal, faithful Lao friends.
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Viet Anh - Duy Tung