Reporter:The Deputy Minister explained the purpose and significance of the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Cooperation Exchange.

Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien:Vietnam andLaosAs two neighboring countries, Vietnam and Laos share a close, loyal, and rare relationship, founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and diligently nurtured by successive generations of Party and State leaders and people of both countries. Along with the sustainable development of bilateral relations, Vietnam-Laos defense cooperation has also been continuously strengthened and developed, becoming one of the important pillars of the bilateral relationship.

On August 12, 2024, leaders of the Ministries of National Defence of Vietnam and Laos surveyed and inspected the preparations for the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange at the Long Sap border gate area (Moc Chau).Son La.

Over the years, under the leadership of the two Parties and States, and with the close and effective coordination of ministries, departments, and agencies, especially local Party committees and authorities, border guards and people in the border areas of both countries have joined hands to build a peaceful, friendly, stable, and cooperative Vietnam-Laos border for mutual development. The political security situation, order, and social safety along the entire border between the two countries are basically stable; the border and boundary markers are well managed and protected. Cooperation between the border guards of the two countries has always been a highlight, making an important contribution to consolidating and strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries. Both sides have closely coordinated, maintained information exchange, and cooperated in combating border crimes, especially drug trafficking, commercial fraud, smuggling, preventing illegal migration, and illegal entry and exit; and have disseminated information and educated people in border areas to effectively implement the border cooperation agreement between the two countries. Promoting exchanges and fraternal ties between localities and units bordering the border will create favorable conditions for the people in the border areas of both countries to develop their economies and stabilize their lives.

Ministerial-level exchanges between Vietnam and neighboring countries sharing land borders, and with Laos in particular, represent an innovative and groundbreaking model of cooperation. These exchanges promote border defense and foreign relations cooperation, strengthen defense cooperation, and are highly valued and prioritized by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense. These exchanges enrich the forms and mechanisms of cooperation that the Ministry of National Defense, military units of Vietnam, and neighboring countries have been effectively implementing.

Following the success of the first Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Cooperation Exchange in 2021, this year, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, in coordination with the Lao Ministry of National Defence, is organizing the second Border Defense Cooperation Exchange from October 22 to 23 in Moc Chau district, Son La province (Vietnam) and Sop Bao district, Houaphanh province (Laos). This is an opportunity for the two countries to further affirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, which is identified as an important pillar of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos; This directly contributes to strengthening the close and enduring relationship between the two countries, especially between local Party committees, governments, and people in border areas. It also highlights the sense of responsibility of the border protection forces of both countries, working together more closely and effectively in managing and protecting the border, border markers, combating crime, helping people overcome poverty, and building a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative, and mutually developing Vietnam-Laos border.

PV:Could you please tell us about the highlights of the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Exchange?

Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien:The second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Cooperation Exchange was organized with many rich and meaningful activities such as: greeting and painting the sovereignty marker; planting friendship trees; visiting the Vietnam-Laos Young Officers' Friendship Garden; visiting and giving gifts to the Long Sap Border Gate Border Guard Post and primary and secondary schools on both sides of the border; attending the inauguration ceremony of a school; commencing the construction of the 214th Border Guard Company/Laos, donated by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense; observing a joint exercise to apprehend cross-border criminals; witnessing joint patrols between the border protection forces of the two countries; exchanging political work and young officers of the two countries' armies... The two sides will hold talks and sign several cooperation documents, which will serve as an important basis for effectively implementing defense cooperation in the future.

General Hoang Xuan Chien inspects and reviews preparations for the second Vietnam-Laos border defense friendship exchange at the Long Sap border gate area, Moc Chau district, Son La province, on September 30, 2024.

Within the framework of the exchange, many practical activities were also given special attention by the leaders of the Ministries of Defense of the two countries, such as: Organizing free medical examinations and providing free medicine to more than 2,000 people on both sides of the border; building and donating a new 3-story classroom building (12 classrooms) to Long Sap Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School, complete with desks, chairs, equipment, and computers for teachers and students to teach and learn (240 sets of Hoa Phat student desks and chairs, 12 sets of Hoa Phat teacher desks and chairs, 30 computer sets, 30 sets of computer desks and chairs); donating 45 sets of Hoa Phat student desks and chairs to Pahang Primary and Secondary School (Laos); building and donating a barracks for Border Guard Company 214/Laos; awarding 100 scholarships to 100 poor students; donating 60 breeding cows to disadvantaged families on both sides of the border; Performing arts groups from both countries will jointly organize cultural performances for the people before the exchange event...

The most prominent highlight of this exchange is the first-ever joint organization of a political and young military officer exchange between the two countries, themed "Unwavering Faith," in the form of a panel discussion and theatrical performance, broadcast live on VTV1, Vietnam Television, and rebroadcast on Vietnam National Defense Television, Lao National Television, and television stations in the border provinces of Vietnam and Laos. The program will interspersed with documentaries about the history, solidarity, friendship, and close ties between Vietnam and Laos throughout their struggles for national independence and reunification, as well as in the cause of national construction and defense, along with activities to exchange and share information on current cooperation, coordination, and mutual assistance between local leaders, military personnel, and young officers of the two countries.

The program will be an opportunity for young military officers from both countries to strengthen exchanges, share experiences, and diversify forms of cooperation in Party and political work; it will also be an opportunity for the people, especially the younger generation of both countries and their armed forces, to better understand the history and the loyal, close, and steadfast relationship, the shared destiny between the Party, State, Army, and people of the two countries, as well as to be determined to preserve, cultivate, and develop this exemplary, "one-of-a-kind" relationship for the cause of national construction and defense in each country, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world; and to thwart all subversive plots of hostile and reactionary forces that seek to undermine and divide the solidarity between the two countries and their armed forces.

I am confident that, with the close attention and guidance of the leaders of the Ministries of National Defense of both countries, along with the thorough and responsible preparation of the Party committees, local authorities, and agencies and units of the two Ministries of National Defense, the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange will be a great success, leaving a deep impression and creating a widespread impact on the special friendship, solidarity, and close bond between the armed forces and people of the two countries.

HOANG VU