Pa Hang (Laos): The Pa Hang international border gate pair was officially launched with a ceremonial event held in Vietnam’s Son La province. This significant development marks the culmination of efforts to enhance connectivity and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, with the border gates located in Phieng Cai hamlet, Long Sap commune, Moc Chau district, Son La province and Pa Hang hamlet, Sop Bau district, Houaphanh province, respectively.
According to Lao News Agency, the Long Sap border gate was initially established on March 1, 1990, following the 1990 Vietnam-Laos Border Regulation Agreement. A significant step forward came on December 22, 2020, when the Vietnamese Government resolved to upgrade the Long Sap border gate to an international status. This was followed by an official diplomatic note from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Laos on December 31, 2020, urging the Lao Government to advance the Pa Hang border gate to the same status, which was approved on September 16, 2024.
Nguyen
Minh Vu, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Border Committee of Vietnam, highlighted the importance of the international border gate pair during the ceremony. He underscored its potential to boost exchange and development cooperation between Son La and Houaphanh provinces, aiming to enhance the living standards of local residents and strengthen the bilateral solidarity.
The officials emphasized the need for both nations to focus on investing in socio-economic infrastructure in the border areas. This includes developing the Long Sap-Pa Hang border gate pair to foster economic, trade, investment, and tourism collaboration between Vietnam and Laos.
Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, described the inauguration as a testament to the traditional friendship and special solidarity shared by the two countries. He noted that this development reflects the deep mutual trust and agreement between their leaders and citizens.
Both nations were enco
uraged to continue their collaboration in maintaining a peaceful and cooperative shared border, which would further solidify the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, ensuring its growth and sustainability for future generations.
Nguyen Dinh Viet, Chairman of the Son La provincial People’s Committee, reiterated Son La’s commitment to leveraging the potential of this international border gate pair. He expressed a vision for rapid and sustainable development, aiming for both provinces to integrate comprehensively into ASEAN and the international community, thus nurturing the special friendship between the two nations.