Se San River, a majestic 237km long river, originates from Ngoc Linh peak on the Truong Son mountain range and flows through Gia Lai and Kon Tum before flowing into Cambodia and joining the Mekong River. More than just a river, Se San is a connecting thread, a witness to stories of affection between villages on both sides of the Vietnam-Cambodia border.
Crossing the Se San River, the two banks become twinned.
Although separated by the Se San River, Biă village (Ia Chia commune, Ia Grai district, Gia Lai province, Vietnam) and Phi village (Sê San commune, Oyadav district, Ratanakiri province, Cambodia) have always been closely connected through many generations. Elder Siu Toi in Biă village once shared: “The Se San River does not separate but is the thread connecting the two villages. From drinking the same cool water to helping each other during the harvest season, the relationship between Biă and Phi has become increasingly strong.”
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| Twinning ceremony of residential clusters on both sides of the border between Bia village (Ia Chia commune, Ia Grai district, Gia Lai province) and Phi village (Se San commune, Oyadav district, Ratanakiri province, Kingdom of Cambodia), October 5, 2019. (Photo: Anh Huy) |
On October 5, 2019, Biă village and Phi village officially became twinned according to the model of "Twinning residential clusters on both sides of the border". The two villages agreed on 12 practical contents, including: protecting the border, border markers and signs of the border belt and area; not damaging or moving border markers, border posts, border signs, border area signs, border belts, and restricted areas. Protecting the status quo, not changing the flow of border rivers and streams; not building embankments, dredging streams, illegally exploiting sand and minerals in the border area affecting the demarcated border and the currently managed border. Strictly complying with border crossing regulations, not encroaching on the border. Not grazing livestock across the border. Not harboring, concealing, picking up, hooking, or guiding people to illegally cross the national border...
Thanks to these efforts, the long-standing neighborly relationship between the two villages has become even closer. People from both sides not only share experiences in farming and animal husbandry but also actively implement border regulations. On holidays and Tet, the two villages organize cultural and artistic exchanges, enriching spiritual life and strengthening friendship.
Chairman of Ia Chia Commune People's Committee, Mr. Ro Lan Gau, affirmed: Through the twinning relationship, trading, visiting relatives, and exchanging between the two villages will be more convenient, helping to strengthen trust and build a peaceful border area, cooperating and developing together.
Peace and friendship on the border
Not far from Biă village, Bi village (Ia O commune, Ia Grai district) also has a special "fate" with Tang Lom village (Nhang commune, Dun Mia district, Ratanakiri province). Since 2014, the two villages have officially become twin villages and have further strengthened their relationship thanks to the support of Po Co Border Guard Station.
Stories about the friendship between the two villages are always touching. In 2009, during a heavy flood, when the rescue vehicles of the Po Co Border Guard Station soldiers were swept away by the water, the people of Tang Lom village quickly mobilized forces to rescue them, despite the danger. Previously, Vietnamese soldiers had saved the lives of two children from Tang Lom village who were swept away by floodwaters, contributing to strengthening the trust and friendship between the two sides. According to village elder Ksor Bong of Bi village, the times of supporting each other in times of trouble made the people of the two villages like brothers, inseparable.
Gia Lai has a land border of about 80.485 km adjacent to Ratanakiri province - Kingdom of Cambodia. This is an area of strategic significance in terms of economy - society, national defense - security. Thanks to its effective foreign policy, Gia Lai has fostered friendly relations with the northeastern provinces of Cambodia through many meaningful programs: from organizing cultural exchanges, supporting medical supplies during the Covid-19 pandemic, to helping the Vietnamese community in Cambodia build schools, teach Vietnamese and stabilize their lives.
According to information from the Gia Lai Department of Foreign Affairs, the province currently has five villages in the two border districts of Ia Grai and Duc Co twinned with five villages in the two districts of Oyadav and Don Mia, Ratanakiri province. The functional forces and local authorities in the border area always create favorable conditions for people on both sides of the Vietnam - Cambodia border to visit relatives. Through the organization of preliminary summaries of twinning activities and cultural exchanges between villages and hamlets in the border area, the authorities and people on both sides of the border have exchanged information with each other and have been informed and understood the border agreements and regulations; coordinated patrols to protect the border, landmarks, fight and prevent violations of the law on border management; organized exchange activities between Vietnamese border posts and Cambodian border guards. People on both sides of the border are guided and facilitated by authorities to exit and enter the country for the purpose of visiting relatives, exchanging goods, etc. in accordance with legal regulations.
The handshakes between villages on both sides of the border not only demonstrate neighborly love but also a commitment to building a peaceful, friendly and sustainably developed border.
Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/tinh-nghia-hai-bo-se-san-207915.html
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