    |
 |
|
The delegation works at the Border Post of Thanh Thuy Border Gate. |
The delegation included representatives from the Ministry of National Defense’s Department of Foreign Relations; the Staff, departments, and functional agencies under the Vietnam Border Guard Command. Representing the locality were Thai Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee, along with leaders of local departments, sectors, and border communes.
The 3rd Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange is expected to be held in border areas of Vietnam’s Nghe An province and Laos’ Bolikhamsai province, featuring a wide range of meaningful and practical activities with the participation of leaders from the two countries’ Parties, States, and militaries, as well as numerous officers, soldiers, and people from both sides. The program is a significant defense external relations activity, contributing to further strengthening the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
    |
 |
|
At the working session at the Border Post of Thanh Thuy Border Gate |
To prepare and finalize the organization plan, the delegation conducted on-site inspections at the Border Post of Thanh Thuy Border Gate, the Ngoc Lam Border Post, and other locations in Kim Bang and Son Lam border communes (Nghe An province). At each site, the delegation assessed infrastructure conditions, transport connectivity, venue space, and the suitability for program activities.
The survey covered all aspects in line with the proposed scenario, focusing on selecting suitable venues for key activities, including welcoming the Ministers of National Defense of Vietnam and Laos to the units; conducting border marker painting ceremonies; observing joint border patrols; reviewing twinning activities between Vietnamese border posts and Lao border management units; reviewing twinning activities between border residential clusters; organizing exchanges between young military officers; and inspecting sites for construction projects funded and presented by the Ministry of National Defense during the event.
    |
 |
|
The delegation surveys Thanh Thuy Border Gate area. |
    |
 |
|
The delegates pose for a photo at a border marker. |
The delegation also surveyed locations for livelihood support activities such as cattle donation to border residents, gift presentations under the “Paving the way to school for children – Adopted children of border posts” program, and free health check-ups and medicine distribution for local people. These activities carry strong humanitarian significance, contributing to improving living conditions and strengthening military–civilian solidarity in border areas.
Through the survey, the delegation gained a comprehensive understanding of local conditions and assessed the feasibility of organizing the program. Based on the findings, recommendations will be made to the Vietnam Border Guard Command to finalize plans and report to the Ministry of National Defense for direction to ensure the successful organization of the 3rd Vietnam–Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange.
    |
 |
|
The delegation surveys the site where the Ministry of National Defense plans to build a school for the locality. |
    |
 |
|
The delegation surveys the venue for reviewing twinning activities between border residential clusters of the two countries. |
Following the survey, Nghe An provincial leaders affirmed that the locality would closely coordinate with the Border Guard Command, mobilize all available resources, and direct relevant departments and localities to ensure the best possible conditions for the successful implementation of the exchange program.
Source: Baobienphong
Translated by Trung Thanh