Working with the delegation were Nguyen Dinh Viet, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; Dang Ngoc Hau, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee; along with leaders of departments, agencies, and related enterprises.

Implementing Politburo Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW dated January 24, 2025 on international integration in the new context, Son La province is focusing on developing a project for economic development in border areas for the 2026–2030 and 2030–2035 periods. The goal is to transform Son La’s border region into a western economic growth driver, with synchronised and modern infrastructure, a rational economic structure, improved living standards, maintained national defence and security, and the gradual formation of a new growth pole linked to the Vietnam–Laos economic corridor.

According to the planning orientation, the proposed investment project for the development of the main border gate area of Chieng Khuong is expected to cover approximately 19.32 hectares. It includes a joint border control station, customs inspection and supervision areas, quarantine zones, cargo inspection and unloading yards, parking areas for vehicles involved in entry/exit and import/export activities, an internal transport system, technical infrastructure, and facilities serving management and operation at the border gate.

The objective is to develop Chieng Khuong main border gate in a synchronised and gradually modernised manner, meeting the requirements of state management and socio-economic development in border areas, while promoting the Chieng Khuong (Vietnam) - Ban Dan (Laos) border gate pair, ensuring connectivity and synchronisation between the two sides.

At the meeting, Son La introduced its investment potential in agricultural exports, the production, processing, and trading of coffee products, as well as wind power and solar energy projects in the province.

The province proposed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provide guidance, support, and feedback during the development and implementation of the project on border area economic development, as well as in building and finalising a planning scheme for the Chieng Khuong main border gate area.

The province also urged support from the central budget to invest in socio-economic infrastructure in border areas under the project, as well as infrastructure development at the Chieng Khuong border gate.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu suggested that Son La province further strengthen its external relations, economic diplomacy, and set socio-economic development orientations for border and border-gate areas, aiming to build a border region of peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development. Regarding the province’s proposals, the delegation will submit them to relevant ministries and agencies for consideration and resolution.

On behalf of Son La province, Chairman Nguyen Dinh Viet expressed his thanks for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ attention and support over the past time. He expressed hope that in the future, the ministry will continue to assist the province in external relations and international cooperation, contributing to strengthening traditional friendship and expanding cooperation with new partners, promoting local advantages to attract investment, trade, tourism, and renewable energy, and boosting socio-economic development in border and border-gate areas.