National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân delivers speech at a meeting with leaders of Nậm Nhùn District in Điện Biên Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

ĐIỆN BIÊN — National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân on Sunday praised border security forces in Điện Biên Province for their efforts in fighting drug crimes and promoting people-to-people exchanges with Laos.

Speaking to officials at the Tây Trang International Border Gate during a visit to the northwestern mountainous province, she also lauded the border guards’ dedication to safeguarding national sovereignty along the 2,124km Việt Nam-Laos border and 10 border markers under their management.

They have also done a good job of promoting people-to-people contacts and defence diplomacy in the area that is contiguous with May District of Phongsali Province and Ngoy District of Luang Prabang Province in Laos, she said.

She noted improvements in Na U Commune, where the border guard post is located, noting that it once faced complex security issues, especially drug crimes.

The border security force has worked closely with local authorities to disseminate the Party’s guidelines and policies, as well as the State’s laws and assisted local residents to boost socio-economic development, she said.

Applauding the border guards’ success in cracking down on drug crimes and smuggling, the NA leader asked them to persist with the work, help poverty alleviation efforts as well as reinforcement of the nation’s political system.

Lieutenant Colonel Phương Công Quý, commander of the border guards post at the Tây Trang gate, said they have ensured social order and safety in the area, and stepped up activities to help improve local living standards, like providing advice on crops and livestock farming and sponsoring disadvantaged students.

At a working session with the People’s Committee of Noong Hẹt Commune, Ngân noted that it was one of the the first communes in the province to meet all 19 criteria of a new-style rural area.

With fertile soil and good climate conditions, Noong Hẹt should maintain the cultivation area for its special rice variety, and work harder to become an organic agricultural hub. It should also conserve local cultural identities and plant more Ban (Bauhinia variegate) trees, which are seen as an icon of the northwestern region, to attract more tourists, she said.

Also on Sunday, the top legislator paid homage to martyrs at the Điện Biên cemetery near Hill A1, where the famous Battle of Điện Biên Phủ took place in 1954, defeating France and ending its colonial rule in Indochina.

She also visited the resettlement areas of Đồi Cao and Noong Bua to learn about locals’ aspirations.

Lai Châu visit

At Nậm Nhùn District in the northwestern province of Lai Châu on Saturday, Ngân noticed the relatively big and diverse potential for development of the border district, which comprises 11 communes and towns that are home to 11 ethnic minority groups.

She noted that Nậm Nhùn has a large area of forests and an unused land area of 49,726ha (36 per cent of the total natural area), which is favourable for livestock farming.

Despite several difficulties, the district has done a good job of ensuring social welfares as evidenced by an annual 5.5 per cent decrease in the household poverty rate, she said.

Home to the Lai Châu hydropower plant – one of the largest in Việt Nam, Nậm Nhùn should step up forest protection and development to ensure water security, she told local officials.

She assured them that the Party and the State are paying special attention to the displacement and resettlement of households (as a result of the hydropower project). She appreciated the district’s efforts in resettling 829 households with 3,316 members for constructing the Lai Châu plant.

She asked local authorities to continue ensuring adequate living conditions for 738 households with 3,023 people who were displaced by the building of the Sơn La hydropower plant.

She also told them to pay heed to the reinforcement of the political system, particularly in training officials belonging to ethnic minority communities.

Ngân also visited and spoke to workers at the Lai Châu hydropower plant on Saturday. — VNS