Mr. Tong Van No (first on the right), Chieng Khuong village, Song Ma district, tells the story of participating in the construction of the Vietnam - Laos friendship canal.

Works of Friendship

Before 1964 of the 20th century, taking advantage of the Nam Le stream flowing from Mo village, Chieng Khuong commune, Song Ma district, to Dan village cluster, Laos, people on both sides of the border built temporary canals and water wheels to serve production. However, because the canals were small, the water volume was low, and at that time, American planes frequently bombed, people had to evacuate continuously, so the production area was small, and there was a serious shortage of food. In 1964, implementing the policy of the Party and State, to help people ensure the water source for production, the Ministry of Irrigation sent more than 200 technical staff and workers to Chieng Khuong commune to build the Vietnam - Laos friendship canal. The main project was built in Mo village, Chieng Khuong commune, 12 km long. Of which, nearly 4 km is located on Chieng Khuong land, more than 8 km is located on Laos land, meeting the irrigation needs of about 100 hectares of rice fields of people on both sides of the border.

At the age of 19, Mr. Tong Van No, Chieng Khuong village, Chieng Khuong commune joined the youth volunteer force of Song Ma district, carrying out the construction of irrigation works. In 1965, Mr. No and more than 50 people in the team prepared the necessary equipment, marched from the district center to Chieng Khuong commune to join the lowland workers to build the Vietnam - Laos friendship canal. Mr. No said: At that time, during the day, when there were no American planes, we dug the ground; at night, we used oil lamps to continue the work. The canal was 1 meter wide and 2 meters deep, mainly by human power using hoes, shovels, and crowbars to dig. In areas where there were large trees or rocks, we used mines to detonate.

Also in 1965, the project was under construction across the border to Laos when it was bombed by American planes, killing three workers. However, the workers were not discouraged, each trying their best to complete the project to serve the irrigation of the fields. After 4 years of continuous construction, the canal was completed and put into use in 1967. With abundant water resources, people on both sides of the border were excited to expand the cultivation area.

Mr. No shared more: In addition to the three workers who died while building this canal, many more died from malaria, water poisoning, and harsh weather. The inauguration day of the canal was held at Hat Cu village, Dan village cluster, with the Northwest region art troupe of Vietnam performing, and everyone was excited to come and watch in large numbers. I am very proud to have contributed to the construction of this meaningful project.

Since the completion of the canal, the Vietnam - Laos friendship canal project has been managed, exploited and used effectively by the people of Chieng Khuong commune and Dan village cluster. Currently, the canal has a total length of 8 km, providing irrigation water for 67 hectares of double-crop rice fields in 7 villages: Puc, Chieng Khuong, Chieng Khuong commune and Dan village, Bia, Hat Cu, Xon Khua, Huoi Cu, Dan village cluster, Muong Et district, Hua Phan province.

Soldiers at the Chieng Khuong Border Guard Station help people harvest spring rice.

Bringing the golden seasons of prosperity

In early June, the rice fields on both sides of the Chieng Khuong Border Gate and neighboring Laos stretch out in the golden color of ripe rice, exuding a fragrant aroma. Mr. Lo Van Pang, Chieng Khuong village, is excited: Thanks to the friendship canal that flows all year round, ensuring a water source, this year, despite the prolonged hot weather, his family's spring rice crop is still bountiful. With 2,600 m² of rice fields, his family grows glutinous rice variety 86, harvesting 1.4 tons, an increase of 0.3 tons compared to the spring crop in 2023.

The friendship canal through Chieng Khuong and Puc villages is 2.6 km long, providing irrigation water for 14 hectares of rice fields. Since 2015, the canal has been invested by the State to be built into a box canal, maintaining a year-round water source, helping people feel secure in their work and production. This year's spring rice crop yielded 6 - 7 tons/ha, higher than previous years.

Mr. Bun Tham, Head of Bia village, Muong Et district, Hua Phan province, said: Working together in the fields, the Vietnamese people have guided us in planting new high-yield rice varieties, how to prevent pests and diseases on rice, care techniques, fertilization, ensuring good growth and development of rice. In the spring rice crop of 2024, the average yield reached 5 tons/ha. The people's lives have gradually improved, many households have food and savings.

Soldiers of the Chieng Khuong Border Guard Station help people harvest rice.

Mr. Vieng Phong, Dan village, Muong Et district, Hua Phan province, excitedly said: Benefiting from the friendship canal, we are more attached to the people of Chieng Khuong commune. We will strive to produce and strive to build a prosperous life.

To effectively manage and exploit the Vietnam - Laos friendship canal, every year, Chieng Khuong commune has directed cadastral - agricultural and forestry officers to coordinate with villages to conduct inspections, especially in areas at risk of silting and landslides into the canal to promptly mobilize people to dredge and repair. Guide people to sow crops at the right time, choose good varieties and fertilizers and apply technical advances in production. Twice a year, the commune coordinates with Dan Village Cluster to organize meetings to draw experience in 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 fields for two crops, the canal also serves to irrigate 7 hectares of fruit trees and 1 hectare of fish pond. Effective cultivation helps people increase their income, contributing to reducing the commune's poverty rate to 3.16% by 2023.

People of Chieng Khuong commune, Song Ma district and Dan village cluster (Lao PDR) dredged the Vietnam - Laos friendship canal.

Together fostering border solidarity

Sharing the same canal, working and producing on the border, Chieng Khuong village and Dan village, Dan village cluster, Laos have established a village-to-village friendship. Mr. Quang Van Gioi, Head of Chieng Khuong village, Song Ma district, said: Every year, the two villages take turns organizing meetings to discuss the situation, share production experiences, exploit and use the canal, build typical economic models and participate in border protection. On traditional holidays and New Year, organize cultural, artistic and sports activities to meet and exchange.

Standing in Chieng Khuong commune, whether it is planting season or harvest season, officers and soldiers of Chieng Khuong Border Post regularly help people clear canals and harvest crops. Lieutenant Colonel Lo Van Tich, Political Commissar of Chieng Khuong Border Post, said: In addition to supporting production, the unit also propagates and mobilizes people to strictly comply with the Party's policies and State laws, strictly implement border regulations and agreements between bordering villages. At the same time, coordinating with Border Guard Company 212, Dan Village Station, Hua Phan Provincial Police, patrolling and protecting the border, boundary 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 bumper crops, building a prosperous and happy life. The canal is also a strong bond, fostering the special friendship of the people of the border villages to continue to unite, join hands and be of one mind to build a peaceful, friendly, cooperative and developed border area.

Article and photos: Huyen Trang

Inspiring solidarity, maintaining borders (baosonla.org.vn)