Annual talks on border work between Quang Tri and Savannakhet

A meeting to review border work in 2023 between Quang Tri Province, Vietnam and Savannakhet Province, Laos opened on January 13 in Dong Ha City, Quang Tri.

Leaders of Quang Tri and Savannakhet sign agreements at the talks. Photo: L.N

The meeting marked the attendance of Ha Sy Dong, Deputy Chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee and Head of the provincial Border Committee and Lingthong Sengtavanh, Savannakhet’s Deputy Governor and Head of Border Committee.

The two sides informed each other of their political, socio-economic results, and border issues, and cooperation in 2023 and discussed directions for 2024.

Speaking at the talks, Deputy Chairman Ha Sy Dong said the locality has conducted a series of activities to disseminate border protection for local people of both countries to improve awareness of the history and the importance of the Vietnam-Lao borderline and the national border marks.

Other activities on cross-border trade and investment between the two provinces through the Lao Bao – Densavan International Border Gate resulted in more achievements in 2023. Especially the Vietnamese Prime Minister decided to approve the planning of the Vietnam-Lao border gates in 2021-2030 and a vision for 2050, which includes the upgrading of the Ta Rung – Laco sub-border gate to the main border gate. The move would facilitate border trading between the two regions.

The discussions at the meeting resulted in a cooperation plan for 2024 with 11 issues. Of which, the two sides would continue disseminating the border work to ensure good implementation of legal documents on the border between Vietnam and Laos signed by the two nations in 2016.

In 2023, Quang Tri finished licensing papers related to citizenship and household records for Laotian migrants and unwed parents in the boundary areas belonging to the province. Meanwhile, Savannakhet offered favorable conditions to Vietnamese migrants licensed citizenship papers by the Laotian government to help them settle down.

The Government of Laos approved in principle the opening of the temporary path Xa Dun – A Roong while Quang Tri is finalizing papers for the opening of A Roong – Xa Dun customs station in Lao Bao – Densavan International Border Gate. The move is aimed at facilitating the AMI Savannakhet wind power project in Seponh, Savannakhet. This 1,220-MW plant is part of the Lao government’s project to export electricity to Vietnam.

Additionally, the two provinces asked relevant agencies to organize the “Lao Bao – Densavan Crossborder Trade Area” conference at the Lao Bao International Border Gate in February 2024.

The two provinces will also focus on speeding up administrative reforms with a focus on digitalization to smooth customs clearance of goods and immigration through the Lao Bao – Densavan International Border Gate.

Another measure to enhance cooperation between Quang Tri and Savannakhet is promoting decentralization between villages and border stations on both sides.

Le Nhu – Linh Pham