National Boundary Commission – 50 years of a sacred mission
WVR - The seminar 'National Boundary Commission – 50 years for the cause of territorial borders' not only raises awareness about the importance of border and territorial work but also serves as an occasion to honour generations of the Commission and units that have contributed significantly to the border and territorial cause.
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| Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu delivers a directive speech at the seminar 'National Boundary Commission – 50 Years for the Cause of Territorial Borders'. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
On September 9, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnamese Foreign Affairs sector, and looking forward to the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Border Committee (October 6, 1975 - October 6, 2025), the seminar "National Boundary Commission – 50 Years for the Cause of Territorial Borders" was organized to honour generations involved in border and territorial work, thereby enhancing the awareness and responsibility of young officials towards this particularly important and sacred mission.
The seminar was attended by Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu; former Head of the Government's Border Committee Tran Cong Truc; leaders of the National Boundary Commission across different periods, and representatives from various units within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the National Boundary Commission Trinh Duc Hai emphasized that although the Commission has only been established for 50 years, border and territorial work has been built and protected by generations over thousands of years throughout the nation's history. Following President Ho Chi Minh's advice: "The Hung Kings founded the nation, we must together preserve it", the Commission's officials have overcome numerous difficulties and sacrifices, persistently and determinedly playing a leading role in establishing and defending the nation's borders, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
In recent years, with dozens of treaties, protocols, and agreements on borders and territories signed with neighboring countries and those in the East Sea region, Vietnam has completed the entire task of delineating land borders, completed most of the land border demarcation (only 16% of the demarcation work with Cambodia remains), and submitted dossiers for the extended continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles of Vietnam.
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| Chairman of the National Boundary Commission Trinh Duc Hai moderates discussions at the seminar. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
"These achievements are thanks to the tireless contributions of previous generations," Trinh Duc Hai emphasized. Therefore, the seminar not only raises awareness about the special significance and importance of border and territorial work but also serves as an occasion to honour the generations of the National Boundary Commission and the forces, agencies, and units that have collaborated and contributed significantly to the border and territorial cause.
The seminar focused on two main topics: First, negotiation, struggle, and management work, with in-depth discussions on the advantages, challenges, and lessons learned in land and maritime border negotiations, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of management work, building peaceful, stable, cooperative, and sustainably developing borders with neighbouring countries, and promoting cross-border cooperation in the new situation... Second, unit building work aimed at training the next generation of officials to uphold and promote the traditions of previous generations.
Lessons learned
Former Head of the Government's Boundary Commission Tran Cong Truc stated that when the country was unified, the first issue to address was resolving border and territorial matters. Therefore, border and territorial work is of great importance and is a sacred cause. The Government's Boundary Commission advises senior leaders on resolving land and maritime border issues. Initially, the Government's Boundary Commission included military officers who had participated in the resistance, so information, skills on borders, territories, and international law were limited, but there was always a spirit of learning.
The veteran negotiator believes that border and territorial work currently remains long-term with many issues needing resolution. The Commission plays a coordinating and advisory role in protecting Vietnam's rights and interests on land and at sea according to international law.
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| Former Head of the Government's Boundary Commission Tran Cong Truc speaks at the seminar. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Within the framework of the seminar, delegates analyzed the advantages, challenges, and lessons learned in border and territorial work. Nguyen Anh Dung, former Deputy Chairman of the National Boundary Commission, stated that Vietnam has many fundamental advantages, including a just stance, clear legal basis; close coordination between ministries and sectors; a team of experienced and professional officials; cooperative and friendly relations with key partners; and a favorable international and regional context with peace and development as the main trends.
However, Nguyen Anh Dung highlighted the difficulties in border and territorial work, including factors such as border and territorial issues being core interests of nations, leading to firm and persistent stances; international law regulations not always being strict and clear.
Based on this, Nguyen Anh Dung drew important lessons for border and territorial work. Specifically, coordination between ministries, sectors, and localities plays a crucial role in border work; it is essential to have a firm grasp of legal, technical, and field records; uphold justice and peace in negotiations; follow a sequential approach "easy first, difficult later", emphasize confidentiality; promote relations with partners; create a favourable regional and international environment. Successful border and territorial negotiations depend decisively on preparation. Additionally, those involved in border work must understand Vietnam's relations with partners while maintaining practical management during negotiations...
Agreeing with Nguyen Anh Dung's assessments, Tran Duy Hai, former Deputy Chairman of the National Boundary Commission, added some experiences and good lessons, such as when partners make proposals without a legal basis, we should question them, as this can help avoid being passive. He emphasized the need to adhere to principles, be patient, not rush; fully exploit strengths in border and territorial negotiations; engage in sincere exchanges; understand oneself and others, choose the right timing, and always maintain harmony.
Hoang Trong Lap, former Deputy Chairman of the National Boundary Commission, stressed that border and territorial work is sacred and requires full responsibility to achieve the best negotiation results, protecting national interests and sovereignty. Based on his many years of negotiation experience, Hoang Trong Lap shared that in border and territorial negotiations, it is always necessary to maintain principles but be flexible and skillful, seizing opportunities to achieve mutually acceptable results.
"Golden era"
As a seasoned diplomat and legal expert of Vietnam, Nguyen Hong Thao, former Deputy Chairman of the National Boundary Commission and member of the United Nations International Law Commission, emphasized that internal consensus and international law are the "keys" to border and territorial negotiations.
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| Nguyen Hong Thao, former Deputy Chairman of the National Boundary Commission member of the International Law Commission, United Nations shares at the seminar. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Sharing Nguyen Hong Thao's insights, with experience leading about 40 border and territorial negotiations, Nguyen Manh Dong, former Deputy Chairman of the National Boundary Commission, highlighted the importance of a legal basis in negotiations, as the final outcome is a legal document. Additionally, Nguyen Manh Dong discussed major factors in negotiations such as political goodwill; technical aspects, both maritime and terrestrial; adherence to senior leadership directives; understanding new issues and historical contexts.
Nguyen Hong Thao affirmed that the past 50 years have been a "golden era" for the National Boundary Commission, contributing to border protection, transforming borders from words and maps into reality on the ground. According to him, those involved in border work need to master comprehensive skills, negotiation, legal, technical, fieldwork, and public relations. Therefore, officials of the National Boundary Commission must continuously learn, hone their knowledge, life skills, and have the courage in advising, love for borders, territories, and dedication to the profession to achieve success.
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| Delegates take a commemorative photo after the seminar concludes. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
In his closing remarks, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu emphasized that with over 3 hours of exchange, the program was like a "gift" for officials involved in border and territorial work.
The Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed that the "golden phase" of border and territorial work over the past 50 years has brought significant achievements, contributing to shaping the increasingly complete S-shaped country, while promoting a peaceful and stable environment for national construction and defense. These achievements are thanks to the efforts of many generations of officials.
Emphasizing the sacred mission of border and territorial work, the Deputy Foreign Minister concluded that to do well, it is necessary to master legal, record, historical, technical, and field elements; while promoting a favourable environment, upholding justice, international law, and strengthening domestic and international solidarity.
In the coming time, according to the Deputy Foreign Minister, the National Boundary Commission needs to strive further on various "fronts", while focusing on training specialized human resources.
Through the seminar, it can be affirmed that the past 50 years have been a "golden phase" of border and territorial work, with significant achievements from the contributions of generations. The event was both an occasion to honour and a motivation for today's officials to continue persistently and resolutely protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
