Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on January 6 visited the border commune of Ban Lau, Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province, during his tour of the country’s northwest provinces.

Trong praised commune leaders and people’s efforts to implement national programmes and objectives that will create beneficial socio-economic and cultural changes.

He emphasised the importance of security, order and the prevention of crime in borders areas, as well as the management and use of agricultural land and plantations.

The commune should focus on building a strong Party organisation and political system, and implement regulations for grassroots level democracy, Trong said.

Ban Lau commune is home to more than 6,000 people from 11 ethnic groups. Food production in the commune grew from 2,800 tonnes in 2010 to 3,150 tonnes in 2012, and the level of poor households decreased to 18.16 percent.-VNA