Lao Bao Border Gate: 50 years of stability on the border

Lao Bao border gate in Huong Hoa district (Quang Tri) is a typical and model border gate on the Vietnam - Laos border, connecting with countries in the region: Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and the Central region of Vietnam. Here, there is Lao Bao Special Economic - Commercial Zone whose master plan has been approved by the Prime Minister as one of the 9 border gate economic zones that are interested in synchronously building infrastructure, regulations, measures and policies. Lao Bao international border gate and Den Sa Van border gate (Laos) are an important node on the East - West Economic Corridor.

In January 1973, the Paris Agreement had just been signed. Quang Tri Armed Security sent 24 officers and soldiers to Lao Bao to survey and select a stationing location. In February 1973, Hien Luong station sent a working team of 20 officers and soldiers to reinforce the unit.

After stabilizing the organization, on February 27, 1973, the station was officially established with the name Lao Bao Armed People's Police Station, this is the milestone of establishing Lao Bao International Border Guard Station today.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ha Sy Dong awarded a certificate of merit from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to Lao Bao International Border Guard Station. Photo: Internet.

Since its establishment, although facilities, equipment and working conditions have encountered many difficulties, the Lao Bao Armed Police Station has been united, overcome challenges, and stood side by side with the border protection forces of Laos to build a peaceful and friendly border.

During 50 years of building, fighting and growing up, generations of officers and soldiers of the unit have been loyal to the Party and devoted to the People. In the early days of its establishment, the unit promoted the combined strength of all forces, actively researched and comprehensively innovated border work measures; proactively fought to contribute to defeating the plot of "Peaceful evolution", riots and sabotage activities of hostile forces to maintain the sovereignty and security of the Fatherland's borders; focused on building a strong cluster of 3 communes of Long - Thanh - Phuoc; building a peaceful, friendly border, cooperating in economic and social development. During the period of national renovation, Lao Bao International Border Guard Station continued to flexibly and creatively apply border work measures, firmly manage and protect the sovereignty and security of the border, strengthen and expand international relations, and participate in building a stable and developed area. Typical programs and models such as "BĐBP joins hands to build new countryside", "Shelter for the poor in the border areas", "Border Spring warms the hearts of the villagers", "Bringing children to school - Adopted children of the Border Guard Station"... have been carried out by officers and soldiers of the unit with all the affection and responsibility of soldiers, contributing to improving the material and spiritual life of the people; strengthening the people's trust in the Party and the BĐBP. With its achievements, Lao Bao International Border Guard Station has been awarded a certificate of merit by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Border Guard Command; for many consecutive years, it has achieved the title of "Determined to Win Unit". Speaking at the ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its establishment on February 27 (1973 - 2023), comrade Ha Sy Dong, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, acknowledged and commended the results that Lao Bao International Border Guard Station has achieved over the past 50 years. He requested the Provincial Border Guard Command and Lao Bao International Border Guard Station to continue to seriously implement Resolution 33-NQ/TW of the Politburo on "Strategy for protecting the Fatherland in the new situation"; Vietnam Border Law; Resolutions, Directives and Plans of the Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee of Quang Tri province on national defense and security tasks. Focus on studying and grasping the internal and external border situation, border gate work; synchronously deploy working measures, effectively combat all types of crimes, especially drug crimes, illegal immigration, smuggling, and trade fraud. Regularly coordinate with local Party committees and authorities to promote the construction of a solid people's border defense, join with localities in building a strong political base; deploy models to help people eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, and build new rural areas.

Authorized by the Border Guard Command, Colonel Le Van Phuong, Commander of the Quang Tri Border Guard, presented the flag of the excellent emulation unit in the 2022 "Determined to Win" emulation movement to Lao Bao International Border Guard Station. Photo: Phuoc Trung

On this occasion, Lao Bao International Border Guard Station was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee for its outstanding achievements in protecting territorial sovereignty and national border security, contributing to maintaining political security and social order and safety in the border area, period 2017-2022.

Entering the period of innovation, the unit has proactively coordinated to play a core and specialized role in managing and protecting territorial sovereignty, border security, and border gates, ensuring trade activities, economic development, and international cooperation. Synchronously deploying professional measures, strictly maintaining combat readiness. This is also the core unit, taking the lead in serving and contributing to the success of the 1st Vietnam - Laos Border Exchange Program at the provincial level in 2019 and the 1st Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Exchange Program at the Minister of National Defense level in 2021, which was highly appreciated by the Minister of National Defense...

Colonel Le Van Phuong, Commander of the Quang Tri Border Guard, said that in the coming time, the Command will direct the Lao Bao International Border Gate Border Guard Station to strengthen coordination with local Party committees and authorities to promote the construction of a solid People's Border Guard and People's Heart Border in the border area, join with the locality to build a strong political base, deploy models to help people eliminate hunger, reduce poverty, build new rural areas, and civilized urban areas in the border area. At the same time, promote administrative procedure reform, create conditions for entry and exit activities, import and export of people, vehicles, and goods through the border gate, in accordance with the provisions of law, promote economic, cultural, social, and tourism development of the province and the whole country. Synchronously deploy Border Guard measures, effectively combat all types of crimes in the border area./.

Bich Huong