Major General Hoang Huu Chien and the delegation inspect the grounds of Long Sap Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School. Photo: Viet Lam.

The 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program is scheduled to be held on October 22-23 in Moc Chau district (Son La province, Vietnam) and Sop Bau district (Hua Phan province, Laos). High-ranking representatives from the Governments, Ministries of Defense, and other ministries and agencies of both countries will participate in the main events.

Within the framework of the program, many activities took place in the border area between the two countries, such as: exchanges of young officers from the Vietnamese and Lao armies; joint patrols; coordination in apprehending transnational drug traffickers; talks between delegations from the Ministries of National Defense of Vietnam and Laos; free medical examinations, treatment, and medicine for ethnic minorities; scholarships for poor students living on both sides of the border; and donations of breeding cattle to poor households...

The working group inspects the border marker area. Photo: Viet Lam

The 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange is an opportunity to contribute to fostering the close relationship between the two countries, especially between the people in the border regions of both countries. It also highlights the sense of responsibility of the border protection forces of both countries in coordinating the management and protection of the border and border markers; combating crime; helping people alleviate poverty; and building a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative, and mutually developing Vietnam-Laos border.

Major General Hoang Huu Chien encourages the forces performing the task of rehearsing the welcoming ceremony for the delegation from the Ministries of National Defence of Vietnam and Laos. Photo: Viet Lam.

The working group inspects internal affairs at the Long Sap Border Gate Border Guard Station. Photo: Viet Lam

Major General Hoang Huu Chien inspects the Vietnam-Laos Border Friendship Military-Civilian Medical Station. Photo: Viet Lam

During the working program, Major General Hoang Huu Chien and the delegation directly inspected the preparations of the forces at the Long Sap border gate area, the Long Sap Border Guard Post, the Long Sap Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School, and the Vietnam-Laos Border Friendship Military-Civilian Medical Station, where the program's activities will take place.

Major General Hoang Huu Chien also inspected the training and practice of the forces participating in serving the high-level military delegations of the two countries attending the event; training in bilateral patrol exercises; and practicing coordinated efforts to combat and prevent cross-border drug trafficking.

Major General Hoang Huu Chien encourages the forces ensuring safety, security, and public order. Photo: Viet Lam

At the concluding meeting to review the inspection, Major General Hoang Huu Chien commended the units under the General Staff, the Departments and agencies of the Border Guard Command, and the Son La Border Guard for their close coordination with local authorities in overcoming adverse weather conditions to basically complete the preparations for the program.

The Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Border Guard, on behalf of the inspection team, pointed out the shortcomings and requested the agencies and units to continue to overcome and improve them so that the contents proceed according to plan and the program is successfully completed.

Viet Lam