Talking about the significance of the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange, General Chien emphasized the unique and enduring relationship between Vietnam and Laos, which was established by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong and has been nurtured by generations of leaders and citizens of the two countries. As the bilateral ties continue to develop, the Vietnam-Laos defense cooperation has been strengthened, becoming a key pillar of the two nations’ relations.
    |
 |
|
Defense leaders of the two countries inspect preparation work for the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange at the Long Sap border gate, Moc Chau district, Son La province. |
Over the past time, under the leadership of both Parties and States, and through the close, effective collaboration of ministries, agencies, local authorities, and especially the border forces and people, Vietnam and Laos have jointly built the shared borderline of peace, stability, and cooperation, while ensuring political security and social order, and well managing and protecting the borderline.
Cooperation between the two countries’ border protection forces has been a highlight, contributing to significantly strengthening bilateral defense relations. Both sides have closely coordinated in sharing information and combating crimes in border areas. They have also promoted cross-border exchanges and cooperation between border localities, creating favorable conditions for border people to develop economy and stabilize their lives.
General Chien also underscored that the Border Defense Friendship Exchange at the defense ministerial level between Vietnam and neighboring countries, particularly with Laos, is an innovative and breakthrough cooperation model, contributing to fostering border external affairs while enhancing defense cooperation. It has been given much importance by the Central Military Commission and Ministry of National Defense. These exchanges have enriched the cooperation forms and mechanisms that have been effectively implemented by Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense and neighboring countries.
|
|
 |
|
Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien checks the preparation for the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange at Long Sap border gate, Moc Chau district, Son La province. |
Following the success of the first Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange in 2021, this year, the Ministries of National Defense of Vietnam and Laos are jointly organizing the second exchange from October 22-23 in Moc Chau district, Son La province, Vietnam, and Sop Bao district, Houaphanh province, Laos. This is an opportunity for both nations to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening the bilateral defense cooperation, which serves as a key pillar of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The event contributes to deepening the close ties between the two countries, particularly among border authorities and people, while also underscoring the responsibility of border protection forces in jointly managing and securing the border, combating crimes, supporting poverty reduction, and building the Vietnam-Laos shared borderline of peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity.
Deputy Minister Chien highlighted that the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange will feature various meaningful activities, such as saluting and painting the border marker, planting friendship trees, witnessing a joint patrol and a joint drill on combating cross-border crime, and inaugurating classrooms at the Long Sap Ethnic Minority Boarding Primary and Secondary School, among others. The two sides will also hold talks and sign several cooperation documents, laying a foundation for further strengthening their defense cooperation in the time ahead.
Additionally, medical teams from both nations will jointly provide free health check-ups and medicines for over 2,000 residents in areas along the shared borderline of Vietnam and Laos, to name but a few.
The highlight of this exchange is the first-ever joint Vietnam-Laos political and young officers’ exchange. This event, featuring discussions and performances, will be broadcast live on the Vietnam Television’s channel VTV1. The program will introduce documentaries on the historic Vietnam-Laos friendship, their shared struggles for independence, and current cooperation between localities, militaries, and young officers.
The program will provide young officers from both nations with the opportunity to exchange experience about cooperation in Party and political work implementation. It will also help the two peoples, especially the young generations, understand the history of the relations between the two parties, states, militaries, and peoples, so as to preserve and promote the relations for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
General Chien expressed his belief that under the leadership of the two sides’ defense leaders and with the thorough preparation of relevant localities and units, the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange will be a success, leaving a good impression and promoting the close-knit friendship between the two countries’ militaries and peoples.
Translated by Minh Anh