Sơn La province consistently maintains effective dissemination and legal education efforts in border areas. The focus of these efforts is on the two legal documents on border agreements signed between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos, ensuring that the people clearly understand the shared achievements of both nations. This helps foster a strong sense of responsibility in contributing to and safeguarding the special friendship between the two Parties, Governments, and peoples. Additionally, it raises awareness of national territorial sovereignty, citizens' rights and obligations, and national unity, encouraging active participation in countering propaganda aimed at inciting public disorder. These efforts contribute to maintaining security and order, preventing and combating crime, and gradually promoting socio-economic development in border areas.

Son La and Houaphanh successfully hold inauguration ceremony for Long Sap – Pa Hang international border gate

Son La Province (Vietnam) continues to implement the signed Cooperation Agreement with Houaphanh and Luang Prabang Provinces (Laos), further enhancing the effectiveness of their friendly and cooperative relations. In 2024, various activities—including official visits, working sessions, cooperation agreements, celebrations of Vietnam’s traditional Tet and Laos’ Bunpimay New Year, as well as diplomatic engagements in border security, defense, and cultural exchanges—have been successfully carried out at multiple levels between Son La and the two Lao provinces. These efforts have contributed to strengthening the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Son La, Houaphanh, and Luang Prabang.

In March 2024, Son La province sent a high-level delegation to visit, work, and sign the 2024–2026 Cooperation Agreement with Houaphanh Province (Laos). As part of this collaboration, the two provinces successfully co-organized the "Son La – Houaphanh cultural tourism Festival 2024" in Sam Neua Town, Houaphanh Province. Additionally, in October 2024, Son La will host the 2nd Vietnam–Laos border defense friendship exchange program in Moc Chau District.

In 2024, Houaphanh Province provided 300 million Lao Kip, while Luang Prabang Province contributed 200 million VND to help Son La Province recover from the impacts of storms and floods. In return, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Son La Province transferred 300 million Lao Kip to support Houaphanh Province in overcoming difficulties caused by natural disasters.

The Provincial Border Affairs Steering Committee of Son La has proactively coordinated with Houaphanh Province (Laos) to implement necessary procedures for upgrading the Long Sap (Vietnam) – Pa Hang (Laos) border gate from a main border gate to an international border gate. On November 19, 2024, Sơn La Province and Houaphanh Province successfully held the "Official Inauguration Ceremony of the Long Sap - Pa Hang International Border Gate." Son La Province has carried out maintenance and repainting of inscriptions and identification numbers on all border markers and boundary posts under its designated management and protection (even-numbered markers). Currently, the province is coordinating with Luang Prabang Province to support the maintenance and repainting of inscriptions and identification numbers on border markers and boundary posts under Luang Prabang’s jurisdiction.

Officers and soldiers of the Chieng Khuong Border Guard Station conduct patrols and inspections along the border area.

The specialized forces of the province have collaborated with their counterparts from Houaphanh and Luang Prabang provinces to effectively maintain border patrols, ensuring the protection of the national borderlines, border markers, and other border-related infrastructure. These efforts have been carried out in accordance with the Agreement on Border Management Regulations and Land Border Gates between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. In 2024, a total of 30 joint patrols were conducted, involving 578 personnel. The borderlines and national border markers have remained stable and intact, with no signs of alterations or encroachments affecting the national boundary, border markers, or defense-security structures in the border area.

In 2025, Son La Province will continue to implement the cooperation agreements signed with the provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The province will maintain information exchange and regular border management meetings between its state agencies and neighboring Lao provinces. This cooperation aims to promptly coordinate efforts to ensure security, stability, and socio-economic development in border areas. Additionally, Son La will strengthen border patrols, enhance the protection of borderlines and related infrastructure, and intensify efforts to maintain security and order, combat crime, and prevent and control diseases in the border region.

Le Hong

Translated by Huyen Vu