Permanent Deputy FM Nguyen Minh Vu works with Son La delegation on enhancing international cooperation and border area development
WVR - On March 11, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Member of the Party Central Committee and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu held a working session with the Son La provincial delegation led by Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dang Ngoc Hau.
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| Overview of the working session. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
On behalf of the delegation, Vice Chairman Dang Ngọc Hau expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' attention, support, and effective assistance to the locality in recent times.
In his report at the session, Vice Chairman Dang Ngoc Hau stated that in recent years, recognizing the unique geographical position and cultural characteristics of the 12 ethnic groups residing in the area, Sơn La Province has consistently focused on strengthening and promoting traditional friendly relations with Lao localities, especially Huaphanh and Luang Prabang provinces. To date, the province has established friendly relations and signed comprehensive cooperation agreements with nine Lao provinces.
However, according to Sơn La's leadership, the economic scale of the province's border area remains small and lacks sustainability, primarily relying on agriculture with raw products, low added value, and limited competitiveness. The infrastructure system, especially in transportation, border trade, and logistics, remains inconsistent; many roads are degraded, causing travel difficulties during the rainy season.
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| Vice Chairman of Sơn La Provincial People's Committee Đặng Ngọc Hậu. (Photo: Thành Long) |
Additionally, although the province has proactively expanded international cooperation, the connection and implementation of specific cooperation content with foreign partners remain limited.
At the session, Sơn La Province proposed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs support certain initiatives to promote international cooperation and border area development. Specifically, the province suggested that the Ministry advocate with relevant authorities to consider adjustments, mobilize, or assign additional Vietnamese provinces and cities to support Sơn La in implementing cooperation content with the nine Lao provinces with which agreements have been signed, ensuring alignment with local resources and enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of cooperation.
Simultaneously, the province requested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinate with central ministries and agencies to mobilize resources from the central budget to implement the Economic Development Plan for Sơn La's Border Area for the 2026–2030 period, with orientation towards 2035.
Sơn La also hopes to continue receiving support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connecting and expanding cooperative relations with foreign localities, organizations, and enterprises, particularly in markets such as Japan, South Korea, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Finland. The cooperation content focuses on attracting investment in high-tech agriculture linked to agricultural processing; developing infrastructure for industrial zones and tourism; promoting trade, expanding agricultural export markets; researching and transferring technology; promoting the locality's tourism potential; educational cooperation and training, and sending local laborers to work abroad.
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| Party Central Committee member and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu speaking at the session. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Speaking at the session, Party Central Committee member and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu praised Sơn La Province's efforts in implementing foreign affairs work in recent times. The Deputy Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to accompany the locality in promoting diplomacy for development, contributing to building a peaceful, stable, friendly, and cooperative development border with neighboring countries.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will support Son La Province in enhancing information exchange, connecting with relevant ministries, agencies, and localities, thereby improving the effectiveness of cooperation between the localities of the two countries and continuing to strengthen and develop the special Vietnam-Laos friendship.
Regarding the Economic Development Plan for Son La's Border Area for the 2026-2030 period, with orientation towards 2035, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu appreciated the province's policy and vision in promoting socio-economic development in the border area, improving people's livelihoods, and enhancing cooperation with Lao localities.
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| Delegates attending the session expressed their opinions and proposals. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The Deputy Minister urged Son La Province to continue effectively implementing Directive No. 36/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister on organizing the implementation of two legal documents on the Vietnam-Laos land border; enhancing management, patrol, and monitoring on the ground; while maintaining a mechanism for exchange and close coordination with Lao localities to promptly address arising issues and resolve outstanding matters on the border line.
Regarding the border gate system in the province, including the Pa Hang - Long Sap international border gate, the Chieng Khuong - Ban Dan main border gate, and the auxiliary border gates Nam Lanh - Muong Po, Na Cai - Sop Dung, the Deputy Minister suggested that the province continue to effectively implement the Border Gate Planning on the Vietnam-Laos land border line according to Decision No. 1201/QĐ-TTg of the Prime Minister. This includes focusing on enhancing border gate infrastructure investment, developing the transportation connection system, promoting links with border gates within and outside the province, and researching the procedures for opening a new auxiliary border gate pair Huoi Lạ - Long Nhang in the near future.
The Deputy Foreign Minister affirmed that within the scope of its functions and assigned tasks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to coordinate with central ministries and agencies to exchange and consult on mechanisms and policies related to border area development linked to foreign cooperation and Vietnam-Laos border cooperation; while supporting and promoting international cooperation activities and border cooperation in line with the Plan's orientation.
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| Delegates take a group photo. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
