Vivid evidence of the defense cooperation relationship between Vietnam and China

( Bqp.vn ) – Taking place from October 22-23 in Moc Chau district ( Son La province) and Sop Bao district (Houaphanh province), with many rich, diverse and practical activities, the second Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange was a great success, leaving deep impressions of the friendship and solidarity between the two countries' armies and people; truly a vivid demonstration of the defense cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath at the second Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

Contribute to strengthening the good relationship between the two countries' armies

The second Vietnam-Laos border defense friendship exchange is an important defense foreign activity in 2024 of the two countries ' defense ministries , organized based on the guiding viewpoints of the two Parties and two States on building a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative and mutually developed Vietnam-Laos border. This is also an opportunity for the two countries to continue affirming their policy of strengthening bilateral defense cooperation, which is identified as an important pillar of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos; directly contributing to consolidating the close relationship between the two countries, especially between local Party committees, authorities and people in border areas; at the same time, promoting the sense of responsibility of the border protection forces of the two countries to join hands to coordinate more closely and effectively in performing assigned tasks.

General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath salute the sovereignty milestone.

Over the past years, under the leadership of the two Parties and States, the close and effective coordination of departments, ministries and branches, especially local Party committees and authorities, border protection forces and people in the border areas of the two countries have joined hands to build a peaceful, friendly, stable and cooperative Vietnam - Laos border. The political security situation, social order and safety along the entire border of the two countries are basically stable; the border and border markers are well managed and protected. Cooperation between the border protection forces of the two countries has always been a bright spot, contributing significantly to consolidating and enhancing the defense cooperation relationship between the two countries. The two sides have closely coordinated, maintained information exchange, cooperated in the fight against border crimes, especially drug crimes, trade fraud, smuggling, preventing free migration, illegal entry and exit; propagated and educated people in the border areas to effectively implement the border cooperation agreement of the two countries; Promote exchanges and twinning between localities and border units, creating conditions for people in border areas of the two countries to develop socio-economy and strengthen national defense and security.

Art performance at the program of Political work exchange and young officers of the Vietnam - Laos Army with the theme "Still faithful to one belief".

Within the framework of this exchange, many meaningful activities took place such as: saluting the flag, painting the border markers, planting friendship trees; witnessing joint patrols; visiting joint exercises; visiting border posts of the two countries; visiting and presenting gifts to schools in localities on both sides of the border; attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Border Guard Company 214 of the Lao People's Army supported by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense; holding talks between the two Ministers and signing important cooperation documents. A highlight of this exchange was that the two sides jointly organized a joint exercise to handle cross-border drug crime situations. The exercise involved many police, military and border forces. This is also a regular coordination activity of the forces in the process of patrolling, controlling and ensuring security and order in the border areas of the two countries.

General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath and delegates pressed the button to start the construction of Border Guard Company 214.

General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam and General Chansamone Chanyalath, Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of Laos agreed to affirm that, following the success of the first Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange (2021), this exchange continues to affirm that it is an effective and unique cooperation model between the two countries, and at the same time is an activity of profound political significance, demonstrating the political determination of the Party, State, Army, localities and especially the people and border protection forces of Vietnam and Laos in strengthening solidarity and friendship, promoting substantive cooperation, together building a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, for the prosperity of each country, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath took a photo with delegates attending the second Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath with teachers and students of Long Sap Primary and Secondary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities (Moc Chau district, Son La province).

Leaning against the majestic Truong Son mountain range and bathing in the same Mekong River, the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos have shared the joys and sorrows throughout the history of the struggle for national liberation and national construction; together they have built a great friendship and special solidarity that is “deeper than the waters of the Red River and the Mekong River”, “more durable than mountains and rivers”, “more precious than the most precious gem”. That pure friendship was painstakingly cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and Prince Souphanouvong, President Kaysone Phomvihane and generations of leaders of the two Parties, two States and peoples of the two countries, tempered through many challenges and forged by the efforts and blood of many generations of heroic martyrs, to become an invaluable asset of the two peoples. That relationship has become a priceless common asset, an objective law, a vital factor for each Party and each country, and a foundation for the two Parties, two States, two Armies and people of Vietnam and Laos to jointly promote in the following historical periods.

Building a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative border for mutual development

In addition to always standing side by side in activities of building armed forces, protecting the independence and sovereignty of each country, building a peaceful and friendly border, creating political stability, the armies of Vietnam and Laos also have many measures to support and help the people of the two countries' border areas to develop their socio-economy. During the 2 days of the exchange and throughout the preparation period before, the exchange received great attention from the ethnic people of Son La province (Vietnam) and Houaphanh province (Laos), especially in places where the exchange activities took place.

People of Son La province welcomed General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath to attend the exchange.

Excitedly welcoming Minister Phan Van Giang and Minister Chansamone Chanyalath, Mr. Vi Van Phun, Long Sap commune, Moc Chau district, Son La province, Vietnam said: “The local people are very happy to welcome the two Ministers of National Defense. In the past time, we, the border people, have received much valuable support from the border guards of the two countries. We hope to continue to receive help to escape poverty sustainably and have an increasingly prosperous and happy life.”

General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath presented gifts from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to Pahang Primary and Secondary School.

Receiving the meaningful gifts from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the Lao Ministry of National Defense, Mr. Bounthan Syphathone, Principal of Pahang Primary and Secondary School, Sop Bau District, Hua Phan Province, Laos, was moved to share: “We are very grateful to the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and the Lao Ministry of National Defense for their attention and support in creating conditions for the school to have better facilities, serving the teaching and learning of teachers and students. Teachers and students of the school will always overcome difficulties in terms of terrain, weather, and facilities to spread knowledge and sow the seeds of the future.”

General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath exchanged the Vietnam-Laos bilateral defense cooperation protocol for the 2025-2029 period and the 2025 cooperation plan between the two countries' defense ministries.

Based on the achieved results, in the coming time, the armies of Vietnam and Laos will continue to strengthen cooperation in Party and political work, focusing on effective propaganda and education on the history, significance and importance of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos, especially major events of the two countries and the two armies. At the same time, effectively maintain existing cooperation mechanisms, such as annual high-level delegation exchanges, Deputy Ministerial-level Defense Policy Dialogue, regular cooperation between agencies and units of the two sides. At the same time, effectively strengthen cooperation in military and defense work, especially in responding to non-traditional security challenges; cooperate in managing and protecting borders and landmarks; cooperate in training human resources; Improve the effectiveness of mutual support work, in which the Lao Government and Ministry of National Defense continue to create favorable conditions for searching, collecting, and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos during the war.

General Phan Van Giang and General Chansamone Chanyalath presented gifts to encourage the border protection forces of the two countries.

The success of the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange affirmed the effectiveness of this activity in promoting substantive cooperation between the border protection forces of the two countries, economic development, people-to-people exchange, raising awareness of border protection of local authorities and people in border areas, joining hands to build a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative and developing Vietnam-Laos border, contributing to deepening and increasing the effectiveness of bilateral defense cooperation. Thereby, conveying the message of solidarity and mutual support, continuing to consolidate political trust, creating a solid foundation for the comprehensive and sustainable development of Vietnam-Laos relations.

Nguyen Bang - Manh Hung

Source: https://mod.gov.vn/home/detail?current=true&urile=wcm:path:/mod/sa-mod-site/sa-ttsk/sa-tt-dnqp/minh-chung-sinh-dong-cho-moi-quan-he-hop-tac-quoc-phong-hai-nuoc-viet-nam-lao