Mr. Tong Van No (first on the right), from Chieng Khuong village, Song Ma district, recounts his participation in the construction of the Vietnam-Laos friendship canal.

A work of friendship

Before 1964, taking advantage of the Nam Le stream flowing from Mo village, Chieng Khuong commune, Song Ma district, to Dan village cluster in neighboring Laos, people on both sides of the border built temporary irrigation canals and water wheels to serve agricultural production. However, due to the small size of the canals and limited water supply, coupled with frequent bombing by American planes at the time, people had to evacuate constantly, resulting in small cultivated areas and severe food shortages. In 1964, implementing the Party and State's policy to help people ensure water for production, the Ministry of Water Resources sent more than 200 technical staff and workers to Chieng Khuong commune to build the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Canal. The main structure was built in Mo village, Chieng Khuong commune, and is 12 km long. Of that, nearly 4 km is located in Chieng Khuong territory, and more than 8 km is in neighboring Laos, meeting the irrigation needs of approximately 100 hectares of rice fields for people on both sides of the border.

At the age of 19, Mr. Tong Van No, from Chieng Khuong village, Chieng Khuong commune, joined the youth volunteer force of Song Ma district, participating in the construction of irrigation works. In 1965, Mr. No and more than 50 others in the team prepared the necessary equipment and marched from the district center to Chieng Khuong commune to join the lowland workers in building the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Canal. Mr. No recounted: "At that time, during the day, we took advantage of the time when there were no American planes to dig the earth; at night, we lit oil lamps to continue the work. The canal was 1 meter wide and 2 meters deep, mainly dug by hand using hoes, shovels, and crowbars. Where we encountered large trees or rocks, we used explosives."

Also in 1965, while construction was underway across the border into Laos, American planes bombed the area, killing three workers. Despite this, the workers remained undeterred, each striving to complete their task, hoping to finish the project to irrigate the fields. After four years of continuous construction, the canal was completed and put into operation in 1967. With an abundant water supply, people on both sides of the border enthusiastically expanded their cultivated land.

Mr. Nố further shared: "In the construction of this canal, besides the three workers who sacrificed their lives, many others died from malaria and water poisoning due to the harsh weather. The canal's inauguration ceremony was held in Hát Củ village, Đán cluster of villages, and a performing arts troupe from the Northwest region of Vietnam came to perform. Everyone was excited and came to watch in large numbers. I am very proud to have contributed my efforts to building this meaningful project."

Since its completion, the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Canal has been effectively managed, exploited, and utilized by the people of Chieng Khuong commune and the Dan cluster of villages. Currently, the canal has a total length of 8 km, providing irrigation water for 67 hectares of rice paddies for two crops per year in seven villages: Puc, Chieng Khuong (Chieng Khuong commune) and Dan, Bia, Hat Cu, Xon Khua, Huoi Cu (Dan cluster of villages), Muong Et district, Hua Phan province.

Border guards from Chiềng Khương border gate station help local people harvest the spring rice crop.

Bringing forth bountiful harvests.

In early June, the rice fields on both sides of the Chieng Khuong border gate and in neighboring Laos stretched out in a golden hue of ripening rice, emitting a fragrant aroma. Mr. Lo Van Pang, from Chieng Khuong village, excitedly shared: "Thanks to the year-round flowing friendship canal, ensuring a reliable water supply, this year, despite the prolonged hot weather, my family's spring rice crop was still bountiful. With 2,600 m² of rice paddies, my family planted the sticky rice variety 86, yielding 1.4 tons, an increase of 0.3 tons compared to the spring crop of 2023."

The friendship canal, spanning 2.6 km through Chieng Khuong and Puc villages, provides irrigation water for 14 hectares of rice paddies. Since 2015, the canal section has been upgraded to a box culvert by the government, maintaining a year-round water supply and allowing people to work and produce with peace of mind. This year's spring rice crop yielded 6-7 tons/ha, higher than in previous years.

Mr. Bun Tham, Head of Bia village, Muong Et district, Hua Phan province, said: "Working together in the fields, our Vietnamese neighbors have guided us in planting new, high-yield rice varieties, pest and disease control, and cultivation techniques, ensuring good growth and development of the rice. In the 2024 spring rice crop, the average yield reached 5 tons/ha. The lives of our people are gradually improving, and many families now have savings."

Border guards from Chiềng Khương border gate station help local people harvest rice.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vieng Phong from Dan village, Muong Et district, Hua Phan province, happily said: "Benefiting from the friendship canal, we feel even more connected to the people of Chieng Khuong commune. We will strive to improve our production and build a prosperous life."

To effectively manage and utilize the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Canal, Chiềng Khương commune annually directs land administration and agriculture/forestry officials to coordinate with villages to conduct inspections, especially in areas at risk of siltation and landslides along the canal, in order to promptly mobilize the people for dredging and repair. They also guide farmers in planting at the right time, selecting good seeds and fertilizers, and applying advanced techniques to production. Twice a year, the commune, in coordination with the Đán village cluster, holds meetings to share experiences on the management and use of the canal.

Mr. Ca Van Thang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Chieng Khuong commune, Song Ma district, said: In addition to ensuring the cultivation of 14 hectares of rice paddies for two seasons, the canal also serves to irrigate 7 hectares of fruit trees and 1 hectare of fish ponds. Efficient farming helps people increase their income, contributing to reducing the poverty rate of the commune to 3.16% in 2023.

People from Chiềng Khương commune, Sông Mã district and Đán village cluster (Lao People's Democratic Republic) cleared the Vietnam-Lao friendship canal.

Let's nurture the bonds of friendship along the border.

Sharing a common irrigation canal and engaging in the same labor and production activities along the border, Chiềng Khương village and Đán village, part of the Đán cluster in neighboring Laos, have established a sister village relationship. Mr. Quàng Văn Giới, head of Chiềng Khương village in Sông Mã district, stated: "Every year, the two villages take turns holding meetings to exchange information, share experiences in production, utilize the irrigation canal, develop exemplary economic models, and participate in border protection. During traditional holidays and festivals, they organize cultural, artistic, and sporting activities to foster camaraderie and interaction."

Stationed in Chieng Khuong commune, during both planting and harvesting seasons, officers and soldiers of the Chieng Khuong Border Gate Border Guard Post regularly assist local people in clearing irrigation canals and harvesting crops. Lieutenant Colonel Lo Van Tich, Political Officer of the Chieng Khuong Border Gate Border Guard Post, said: In addition to supporting production, the unit also propagates and encourages people to strictly abide by the Party's guidelines, State policies and laws, strictly implement border regulations, and agreements between border villages. At the same time, they coordinate with Border Guard Company 212, Dan Village Station, and the Hua Phan Provincial Police to patrol and protect the border line and border markers, maintaining political security, social order and safety, and protecting territorial sovereignty in the border area.

The Vietnam-Laos Friendship Canal has helped the people of Chieng Khuong commune and Dan village cluster produce bountiful harvests, building prosperous and happy lives. The canal also serves as a strong bond, fostering the special friendship between the people of these border villages, encouraging them to continue working together to build a peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developed border region.

Text and photos: Huyen Trang

Fostering unity and safeguarding the border (baosonla.org.vn)