The event saw the attendance of Nguyen Minh Vu, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the National Border Committee of Vietnam, along with representatives from various ministries and agencies.
Lao delegates at the ceremony included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh, and Secretary of the Parry Committee and Governor of Houaphanh province Khampheng Xaysompheng.
Secretary of Son La province’s Party Committee Hoang Quoc Khanh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Lo Minh Hung, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Dinh Viet, and formers leaders of Son La were also present at the event.
The Long Sap border gate was established on March 1, 1990, under the 1990 Vietnam–Laos Agreement on Border Regulations. It is located in Phieng Cai hamlet, Long Sap commune, Moc Chau district, while its counterpart in Pahang hamlet, Sopbao district, Houaphanh province of Laos. The border gate area houses Marker 255.
On December 22, 2020, the Vietnamese Government issued a resolution to upgrade the Long Sap border gate to an international one. On December 31, 2020, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent an official diplomatic note to the Lao side, notifying them of the decision and asking Laos to promptly upgrade the Pahang border gate to the same status. On September 16, 2024, the Lao Government approved the upgrade.
The inauguration of the international border gate pair is expected to help enhance economic, trade, investment, cultural, and tourism exchanges between the border provinces of Vietnam and Laos. It will also contribute to the socio-economic development as well as defence and security of each country's border areas, particularly Son La and Houaphanh, while playing a role in boosting regional connectivity and building the ASEAN community.
Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province Nguyen Dinh Viet speaks at the ceremony.
In his remarks, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Son La province Nguyen Dinh Viet emphasised Son La’s commitment to maximising the potential of this international border gate pair to serve local rapid and sustainable development and contribute to the Lao province’s sustainable growth. He noted a vision for both provinces to integrate quickly, safely, and comprehensively into ASEAN and the international community, thereby actively strengthening and fostering the special Vietnam-Laos friendship and cooperation.
Secretary of the Pary Committee and Governor of Houaphanh province Khampheng Xaysompheng speaks at the event.
Sharing Viet’s views, Secretary of the Pary Committee and Governor of Houaphanh province Khampheng Xaysompheng expressed his hope that the event will create a catalyst for socio-economic development, strengthen national defence and security, and meet the needs for exchange and trade cooperation between the border provinces, for prosperity and development of both nations.
Nguyen Minh Vu, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Border Committee of Vietnam, speaks at the event.
Speaking at the event, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Border Committee of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Vu highlighted the event’s importance to facilitating exchanges and development cooperation between Son La and Houaphanh, improving the living conditions of border residents, and strengthening their solidarity.
He urged the relevant agencies and localities of both countries to prioritise investment in building and developing socio-economic infrastructure in border areas and at border gates, including the pair. This, he noted, would lay a foundation for promoting economic, investment, trade, and tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune speaks at the event.
Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune urged the relevant agencies and localities of both countries to continue cooperating in building a shared border of friendship, peace, and cooperation, and further contribute to strengthening the special friendship between Laos and Vietnam, making it evergreen and enduring forever.
Delegates visit a farm produce booth at the event.
On this occasion, the delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Long Sap-Pahang international border gate pair, observed immigration and trade activities there, and visited booths showcasing agricultural products from the two provinces.
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