Vietnam, Laos conduct joint border protection exercise

The exercise was successfully implemented in accordance with the set objectives and scenarios, ensuring safety throughout. It also provided both sides with valuable experience in managing and protecting the shared border.

In the simulated scenario, Lao Bao International Border Gate Station (Vietnam) coordinates with Border Company 320 (Laos) to set up checkpoints and conduct public information campaigns to prevent free migration and illegal cross-border movements. (Photo published by VNA)
In the simulated scenario, Lao Bao International Border Gate Station (Vietnam) coordinates with Border Company 320 (Laos) to set up checkpoints and conduct public information campaigns to prevent free migration and illegal cross-border movements. (Photo published by VNA)

Quang Tri (VNA) – The Border Guard Command of Quang Tri province and the Military Command of Savannakhet province (Laos) have jointly organised a border protection exercise aimed at preventing illegal migration and cross-border movements along the Vietnam–Laos border.

The simulated scenario involved around 40 ethnic minority households with 150 members in Vietnam who were incited by hostile elements to migrate illegally through areas under the management of Thuan, Lao Bao International Border Gate, and Thanh Border Guard Stations of Quang Tri province. The area lies opposite Sepon and Nong districts of Savannakhet province, Laos. The group was said to have brought their children and belongings with the intent of freely crossing the border.

To respond to the situation, the two sides set up a joint command post at Lao Bao International Border Gate Station, directing relevant Vietnamese border posts and Lao border units to coordinate with local authorities in establishing checkpoints along the border. The forces also launched communication campaigns to raise awareness among residents about the deceptive plots of instigators and encourage them to return home and stabilise their lives.

According to the organisers, the exercise was successfully implemented in accordance with the set objectives and scenarios, ensuring safety throughout. It also provided both sides with valuable experience in managing and protecting the shared border.

Major General Vo Tien Nghi, Deputy Commander of the Vietnam Border Guard, commended the coordination and operation of the joint mechanism, which he said reflected the real situation on the ground and complied with each country’s policies and legal frameworks. The exercise, he added, laid an important foundation for the two sides to further enhance cooperation in maintaining a secure and well-managed border.

Colonel Amphan Xayyasoubat, Deputy Director of the Border Guard Department under the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army, emphasised that the Vietnamese Border Guard’s timely support and sharing of practical experience had contributed significantly to strengthening the Lao Border Guard Force. The exercise, he said, not only helped improve the force’s capacity to meet new tasks but also reinforced the peaceful, stable, and friendly border, further deepening the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos./.

VNA

See more

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha meets with ambassadors and chargés d’affaires of the European Union (EU) in Vietnam on December 16. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha meets EU diplomats in Vietnam

Given the strong partnership built over the past 35 years, the EU hopes to soon elevate relations with Vietnam to a comprehensive strategic partnership, said Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam Rafael de Bustamante Tello.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaks at the meeting with representatives of the NA’s agencies and the NA Office. (Photo: VNA)

Top legislator calls for strict discipline to further enhance quality of NA operations

Chairman Man clearly outlined key tasks for the time ahead and requested the prompt finalisation and promulgation of newly adopted laws and resolutions, proactive reviews to ensure consistency with new guidelines, and thorough preparations for the upcoming elections of deputies to the 16th NA and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 tenure.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (right) meets with Fukuda Tomikazu, Governor of Japan’s Tochigi prefecture in Hanoi on December 16. (Photo: Courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Minister of Foreign Affairs receives Japan’s Tochigi Governor

Trung suggested that Tochigi continue to effectively implement signed agreements and further strengthen cooperation in areas that can create new development momentum for Vietnam, such as science and technology, digital transformation, innovation, and the training of high-quality human resources.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Lao Minister of Education and Sports Thongsalith Mangnormek in Hanoi on December 16 (Photo: VNA)

PM suggests acceleration of Laos–Vietnam University establishment

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the two sides should strengthen the teaching and learning of Vietnamese and Lao in both countries, including introducing Vietnamese as an optional foreign language in Lao schools, while continuing academic exchanges and programmes on tradition education to nurture the special bilateral relationship, he said.

Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand and the Cook Islands Phan Minh Giang (L) presents his credentials to Sir Tom Marsters, Representative of King Charles III to the Cook Islands (Photo: VNA)

Cook Islands attaches importance to ties with Vietnam

Sir Tom Marsters, Representative of King Charles III to the Cook Islands welcomed the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Cook Islands and Vietnam in April 2022, describing it as laying a long-term vision for friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Ministries and sectors are requested to pay special attention to promoting election publicity and legal education. - Illustrative image (baochinhphu.vn)

Government sets out coordinated plan for 2026 elections

The plan also aims to ensure that the elections are conducted in a democratic, equal and law-abiding manner, while being safe and cost-effective, truly becoming a nationwide civic event, thus contributing to strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the state apparatus and building a socialist rule-of-law state of Vietnam of the people, by the people and for the people.

President Ho Chi Minh’s image featured on ballots at Communist Party of Uruguay congress (Photo: VNA)

Image of President Ho Chi Minh appears on ballots at Uruguay Communist Party congress

Among the ballots used at the congress were three featuring posters of President Ho Chi Minh and one bearing an image depicting the Vietnamese people engaged in production during the period of resistance against foreign aggression. The latter also carried the inscriptions “80th Anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day” and “33rd National Congress of the PCU".