Helping a friend is like helping yourself.

(Baonghean) - Ky Son district has the longest border in the province, with 192 km bordering 5 districts in 3 provinces of neighboring Laos. Over the years, the district has continuously fostered the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos through sister-village models on both sides of the border, further strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries.

In Ky Son district, 11 out of 21 communes are border communes, adjacent to three provinces of our brotherly country, Laos. The border villages between Vietnam and Laos have a very close, united, and loyal relationship that has existed for generations. Cha Nga village (My Ly commune) and Xop Cang village (Loong Cang cluster, Muong Quan district, Hua Phan province) are prime examples. These two border villages are located along the banks of the Nam Non River. The customs and traditions of the people in both villages share similarities, leading to a long-standing, close, and fraternal relationship. This sentiment is further demonstrated through the signing ceremony of the friendship agreement between the two villages. Speaking about the close solidarity between Cha Nga and Xop Cang villages, Mr. Ngan Van Hoan, Deputy Head of Cha Nga village, shared: “Before, our two villages had a cooperative relationship, working together to build harmonious villages and develop the economy. But this brotherhood ceremony has further strengthened the solidarity between our two villages, giving us more opportunities to visit and support each other regularly.”

Muong Phu village, Thong Thu commune, Que Phong district (Vietnam) signs a sister village agreement with Nam Tay village, Vieng Phan cluster, Sam To district, Hua Phan province (Laos). Photo: Hai Thuong.

Besides demonstrating the solidarity and loyalty of the people of the two border villages, the twinning also carries political, defense, and border security significance between Vietnam and Laos. Through the signing ceremonies, both sides agreed to disseminate information and encourage the people to effectively implement the Vietnam-Laos Border Agreement and Regulations. Furthermore, they agreed to uphold the local customs and traditions of their villages, and to assist each other in economic development. To express the friendship between the Vietnamese and Lao people, Mr. Som My Say, Secretary and Chairman of the Loong Cang cluster, Muong Quan district, Hua Phan province, Laos, added: “The twinning of the two villages is extremely important to maintain the relationship and preserve peace between Vietnam and Laos. This will create conditions for mutual assistance in times of difficulty and also foster the long-standing relationship between the two Parties and countries that has existed for generations.”

In the spirit of "Helping a friend is like helping oneself," from the first pairs of villages that established sister-village relationships, Ky Son district has now established 12 pairs of villages along the border of 11 communes with clusters of villages in neighboring Laos. Over the years, the border situation between Vietnam and Laos has remained stable, with no land disputes or conflicts between border villages. Mr. Lo Minh Hoat, Chairman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association of Ky Son district, added: According to Directive No. 12 of the Provincial People's Committee on establishing sister-village relationships between border clusters on both sides of the Vietnam-Laos border, there are 11 contents. These contents aim to promote and encourage people on both sides of the border to comply with border regulations. In addition, they help each other in production, trade, and exchange experiences in economic development with some neighboring districts adjacent to Ky Son. In addition to signing agreements, the district and border communes maintain regular meetings between clusters of communes and villages twice a year and organize reciprocal visits to strengthen the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Along with signing and maintaining solidarity, the people of the villages along the Vietnam-Laos border also carry out many practical activities contributing to maintaining border security. This success stems from the joint efforts of all levels of government, officials, and the people, along with the Border Guard forces stationed in the area, creating a strong foundation of public support to maintain peace in the border region of the Fatherland.

Lu Phu(Ky Son Radio Station)