Lao Bao Border Market

QTO - The Lao Bao border market opened at the end of 2024. This is the first model of its kind in the border area between Quang Tri province (Vietnam) and Savannakhet province (Laos), attracting active participation and support from Vietnamese and Lao people on both sides of the border, as well as local people, creating a new highlight and a breakthrough in the socio-economic development of Lao Bao. However, after the implementation of a two-tiered local government system, the market's activities have slowed down somewhat. Local people hope that the market will continue to be maintained, creating conditions for people on both sides of the border to interact and trade...

The efforts to develop Lao Bao into a model border area are of great interest to the leaders of Quang Tri province. Located on National Highway 9—the trans-Asian highway of the East-West Economic Corridor—Lao Bao also has the Lao Bao International Border Gate, possessing many important potentials and advantages that need to be properly exploited.

Over the years, Lao Bao commune, in addition to leveraging its internal strengths, has also utilized external resources to develop the border region in many aspects, from industrial development, promoting trade and services, to gradually completing urban infrastructure, building a civilized lifestyle, and constructing pedestrian streets to promote services, trade, and tourism .

Local authorities have also made efforts in combating and preventing social evils, creating jobs and livelihoods for the people, consolidating national security and defense, strengthening state and people-to-people diplomacy, and continuously fostering the special and close friendship between Vietnam and Laos. In particular, the border market initiative is a significant highlight in many aspects: economic, cultural, diplomatic, and cooperative friendship.

The "Spring Border Guard Program: Warming the Hearts of Local People" during the Lao Bao border market fair - Photo: PXD

The border market has attracted people from both sides of the Vietnam-Laos border, border guards from the Lao Bao International Border Gate, as well as tourists from near and far. Ms. Nguyen Truc Duong, from Lao Bao commune, shared: “Everyone here enjoys participating in the border market. Besides buying and selling, people can also participate in entertainment activities, have fun, and meet relatives and friends. This is a very useful and interesting activity that should be maintained regularly.”

Ms. Pay Kham from Savannakhet province, Laos, said: “I live in Laos and have participated in the border market organized by Lao Bao many times. The market is very lively, with many participants, and people can buy and sell many goods, so they are very happy. We hope the market will be held regularly, both for buying and selling and to contribute to building stronger solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.”

During market days, thousands of people visit and shop here. The market typically has around 50 stalls, set up within the Lao Bao Trade Center, selling characteristic agricultural products of the Van Kieu, Pa Ko, and neighboring Lao people. Notably, the market also brings together a rich culinary scene from both Vietnam and Laos. Following the province's merger and the establishment of a two-tiered local government model, market activities have somewhat slowed down.

According to Tran Binh Thuan, Secretary of the Lao Bao Commune Party Committee: “Previously, the border market also attracted local people and created a buzz in public opinion. Recently, the commune has focused on and made efforts to carry out local tasks and assignments from the province. Even so, we still have working sessions with the Lao side to reach a consensus on the most suitable approach to make the border market more effective in the future. Currently, although this activity has been interrupted, there is reason to hope that in the near future, the weekend border market will return and gradually improve its effectiveness in many aspects, from economics to culture, security and defense, contributing to fostering the long-standing and enduring friendship between Vietnam and Laos.”

Many people hope that in the coming time, Lao Bao will transform even more strongly to truly become "a golden city on the hill" as the poet-martyr Ngo Kha once dreamed and envisioned during the resistance years. So that Lao Bao will truly be prosperous, civilized, and lovely, as the burning aspirations of generations past and present have held.

Hieu Giang

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202605/cho-phien-bien-gioi-lao-bao-786350f/