PM hails Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia T-junction point agreement

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hailed the fresh signing of an agreement on tri-junction point of land boundaries of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

He called it “an event of major historical significance that paves the way for the three countries to cooperate for mutual development and practical benefits”, and lauded the negotiators for the efforts they had made for the signing of the agreement.

PM Dung made those remarks at his reception in Hanoi on Aug. 26 of Cambodian Senior Minister in charge of Border Affairs of the Council of Ministers Var Kim Hong and Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Phongsavath Boupha who came for the signing of the agreement.

He said following the agreement, the three countries should continue working on affairs pertaining to the defining of the Vietnam-Cambodia land borderline and the augment and strengthening of the system of border markers on the Vietnam-Laos land boundary.

The PM also said the three countries should work together to build their shared borders of peace, friendship, cooperation and development to serve the Cambodia-Lao-Vietnam Development Triangle Programme as reached by the three prime ministers.

He affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will do their best to foster their friendship with Laos and Cambodia, and expressed his hope that the three countries closely work for mutual development and benefit for their people.

The Cambodian and Lao officials agreed that the signing of the tri-junction point agreement was a historical event that reflects mutual trust and mutual understanding of the three countries in a bid to build their borderlines of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Cambodian Minister Var Kim Hong stated his country will reinforce cooperation with Vietnam to ensure the tempo of border demarcation and border marker planting.

He said he expected at least 100 border markers on the two countries’ shared borderline to be planted within this year and the planting of all border markers to be finished prior to 2012.

Meanwhile, Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Phongsavath Boupha affirmed his country will push for the planting of border markers on the two countries’ borderline to help bolster trade, tourism and other exchange of activities between local people living along the borderline.

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos sign border crossing agreement

Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos agreed on the tri-junction point of their land boundaries in Hanoi on August 26.

An agreement to this effect was signed by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Dung, Senior Minister in charge of Border Affairs of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia Var Kim Hong and Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Phongsavath Boupha.

Under the agreement, the tri-junction point was defined to be on a mountain peak which is 1,086 m above the sea level where the borderlines of Vietnam’s Kon Tum Province, Laos’ Attapu Province and Cambodia’s Rattanakiri Province meet.

The border crossing was drawn in a map that was attached to the agreement and was verified by the three sides.

The border crossing agreement was made in the spirit of upholding the principles of equality and accuracy to ensure the tri-junction point is clear, easily recognisable, and favourable for the management of the three parties’ borderlines.

The agreement was also made to ensure that the national boundary of each country which was defined in the existing border treaties agreed by the three countries is not changed.

The signing of this agreement reflected the determination and spirit of solidarity and friendship of the governments and people of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in settling border and territory-related issues.

At the signing ceremony, all three countries’ representatives affirmed their resolve to complete works related to the on-the-field demarcation of their land borders.

They pledged to spare no efforts to build, protect and manage the shared border into the one of peace, friendship, cooperation and development to support the implementation of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle programme as agreed by the three Prime Ministers.

(Source: VNA)

Trade Triangle Planned For Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos

PHNOM PENH, Aug 26 (Bernama) — Trade ministers from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are to meet next month to discuss funding plans for a huge development zone straddling the three countries, China’s Xinhua news agency said quoting a report in a local newspaper, the Phnom Penh Post, Tuesday.

“ It’s a huge national development plan,” said Bou Lam, deputy governor of Cambodia’s Ratanakkiri province.

“ We don’t have much substantial investment here to capitalize on our rich natural environment,” he was quoted as saying.

He said that the project would also generate much-needed jobs in the province.

“ If all these projects are completed, I believe the northern provinces will become much less isolated from the rest of the country,” he said.

The Japan Asean Integration Fund granted US$20 million during a meeting last year in Phnom Penh to finance development projects in 10 provinces contained by the Cambodia- Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle (CLV) zone, the newspaper said, adding that the ministers are to be tasked with disbursing the money.

Cambodia and Laos are to each receive US$7.5 million, and Vietnam is to get US$3.5 million, it said.

An additional US$1.5 million will be used to study new road links within the CLV zone, it added.

– BERNAMA

Tourism Development Projects Throughout Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to be boosted

Tourism development projects in 10 provinces throughout the economic development triangle of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia will be boosted.

At a recent meeting in Phnom Penh, the respective tourism ministries of the three countries have agreed to conduct joint surveys on tourism development potential and foreign direct investment attraction capacities in the provinces of Ratanakiri, Mondolkiri and Stung Treng of Cambodia; Atopu, Sekong and Saravan of Laos; and Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dac Lak and Dak Nong of Viet Nam.

The tripartite agreement also proposed that projects related to immigration control and tourism infrastructure construction be approved by governments in those provinces.

The Cambodian tourism ministry would submit to its Government a project to build a road segment running from Krache Province to Viet Nam’s border areas via Mondolkiri Province.

According to the agreement a 148 page guide introducing famous tourist sites at the border triangle of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia will also be published in the coming time.

Source: E-Travel Blackboard

Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia join in promoting tourism

Gia Lai, Aug 16  (VNA) – Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian tourism experts met in Central Highlands Gia Lai province on August 8, to find ways to promote tourism between the three countries.

Delegates called for governments to increase infrastructure investment for the tourism sector and encourage both local and foreign companies to invest in the three countries’ economic development triangle.

The triangle area includes Vietnam ’s provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak and Dak Nong, Lao provinces of Atopu, Sekong, and Salavan, and Cambodian provinces of Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondunkiri.

At present, Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces of Vietnam arrange tours to Cambodian and Lao localities through the Bo Y border gate.(TNA)

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Publish ‘Responsible’ Tourism Guide

Focus on Travel News
Written by Ozgur Tore

The fast growing tourism destinations of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have published a 148-page guide book showing where and how to enjoy responsible tourism activities in the three countries.

Over 25 activities in each country have been profiled in “ The Guide to Responsible Tourism in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.” Each activity creates income for local people, minimises potential negative tourism impacts, involves members of the local communities in running the business, conserves natural and cultural heritage, provides meaningful experiences for tourists, helps people with physical disabilities, and builds respect between visitors and hosts.

For example, the book makes it easier for tourists to trek responsibly with hilltribes, buy handicrafts that keep traditions alive, eat in restaurants that employ former street kids or people with disabilities, stay in accommodation that respects its local community, and discover nature in some of the most awe inspiring areas of Southeast Asia.

“ The various recommended activities in the book show the best side of tourism,” said Mr Arjun Thapan, director general of the Asian Development Bank’s Southeast Asia Department. The bank supported the publication through its Mekong Tourism Development Project. “ All the activities recommended in the book help alleviate poverty,” he said, “ but do so in a respectful and sustainable way that both the host and the visitor can be proud of.”

Mr Thapan said continued poverty alleviation measures through tourism are important because millions of people in the subregion still live on less than two US dollars a day.

Project coordinator, Mr Peter Semone, senior advisor at the Mekong Tourism Office in Bangkok, said: “ We designed the book to appeal to tourists who want to pick up a copy and go — and for tour operators and travel agents who would like to add responsible travel experiences to their Mekong subregion itineraries.”

The colour guide book describes 82 tourism experiences from the tourist’s perspective, and how that activity helps local people while respecting local culture and the environment. The book contains full contact and booking information for all the recommended activities.

The book also contains profiles of the three countries, practical information for travellers, and a list of useful resources and organisations involved with heritage, conservation and responsible tourism.

The guide was written by Mekong subregion experts Guy Marris, Nick Ray and Bernie Rosenbloom. It was edited by Ken Scott.

Statistics from the Pacific Asia Travel Association issued last month show that international tourism visitor arrivals year-to-date are growing at a rate of over 13% into Cambodia, 8% into Vietnam and 4% into Laos.

Mr Thapan said: “ Our aim now is to channel that growth more equitably towards sustainable and responsible tourism operators that help us conserve culture and at the same time fight poverty.”

The 148-page Guide to Responsible Tourism in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam costs US$15 (plus postage). The book can be ordered through the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s online publication catalogue at: http://www.pata.org/catalogue/product.php?productid=16365&cat=0&page=1&featured. Or email publications@PATA.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Tel: (+66) 2658 2000 ext 121.

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Join Forces to Promote Tourism

Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian tourism experts met in Central Highlands Gia Lai province on August 8, to find ways to promote tourism between the three countries.

Delegates called for governments to increase infrastructure investment for the tourism sector and encourage both local and foreign companies to invest in the three countries economic development triangle.

The triangle area includes Vietnams provinces of Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak and Dak Nong, Lao provinces of Atopu, Sekong, and Salavan, and Cambodian provinces of Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondunkiri.

At present, the Gia Lai and Kon Tum provinces of Vietnam arrange tours to Cambodian and Lao localities through the Bo Y border gate.

Source: Yahoo Asia News

Books on relations with Laos, Cambodia sped up

Vietnam will speed up documentation on the history of the bilateral ties between the country and its two neighbouring countries, Laos and Cambodia.

The documentation includes a book on Vietnam-Laos special rapport from 1930 to 2007, and a book on Vietnam’s assistance to Cambodia’s revolutionary cause from 1978 to 1988.

Addressing a project meeting on July 31, Party Central Committee’s Secretary and Head of the Commission for Information and Education, To Huy Rua, said the two books are important works that have attracted input from numerous leaders, researchers and experts.

In addition to the books, the documentation project includes other publications like annals, documents, memoirs, pictorial books and documentary films related to the same topics.

Source:Vietnam Net