Raising public awareness in border protection work

On October 9, at Loc Thanh commune, Le Truong Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, and Head of Dong Nai province’s Border Affairs Steering Committee, chaired a working session with eight border communes of the province including Bu Gia Map, Dak O, Hung Phuoc, Thien Hung, Tan Tien, Loc Tan, Loc Thanh, and Loc Thanh to review the implementation of tasks following the merger under the two-tier local government model. The meeting was attended by members of the Steering Committee and representatives of relevant departments and agencies.

Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, and Head of Dong Nai province’s Border Affairs Steering Committee Le Truong Son delivers a directive speech at the working session. Photo: Ngoc Thao

According to the report, Dong Nai’s eight border communes share more than 258 kilometers of border with the Cambodian provinces of Mondulkiri, Kratie, and Tbong Khmum, and have a total population of over 145,000. The local economies are primarily based on agriculture and forestry, accounting for over 60% of the structure, while industry–construction make up less than 15%, and trade–services over 20%.

Representatives of the border communes report on the implementation of the two-tier local government model over the past period. Photo: Ngoc Thao

These localities include the Hoa Lu international border gate economic zone, the Hoa Lu international land border gate (in Loc Thanh commune), two main border gates namely Hoang Dieu in Hung Phuoc commune and Loc Thinh in Loc Thanh commune, one Tan Tien auxiliary gate, and one Loc Tan open path. Along with implementing the two-tier local government model, local Party committees, authorities, and armed forces have worked closely together to maintain security and order along the border, ensuring stability and effective coordination with neighboring Cambodian provinces in safeguarding border markers and national sovereignty.

Representatives of relevant departments, agencies, and units speak at the working session. Photo: Ngoc Thao

At the meeting, representatives of the border communes highlighted existing challenges and proposed that the Provincial People’s Committee approve the repair and upgrade of border patrol roads to create favorable conditions for the border guard stations to effectively carry out their assigned political tasks. At the same time, they proposed issuing specific policies on staffing and operating budgets for the border communes to effectively carry out foreign affairs tasks; and approved the principle for eight border communes to prepare a joint planning framework in 2026 as a legal basis for implementing projects and works in the area.

Speaking at the working session, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Le Truong Son acknowledged the recommendations and proposals of the eight border communes to compile and submit to the Provincial Party Standing Committee for consideration of the principles for relevant departments and agencies to implement.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee also requested the consolidation of key local positions and party and government apparatus, urging local authorities to continue thoroughly grasping and concretely implementing directives from higher levels on security, public order, and the protection of border sovereignty; and to raise public awareness in border protection, closely linked with a solid defensive zone.

By Thanh Mang – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha