The documents, signed in November 2009, are the protocol on border demarcation and landmark planting, the agreement on border management regulations, and the agreement on bordergates and their management regulations.

The announcement was made at a ceremony held at Thanh Thuy-Tian Bao border gate on July 14.

Present on the Vietnamese side was Ho Xuan Son, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the National Border Committee, and also the head of the Vietnamese delegation in charge of negotiations on border and territorial affairs.

On the Chinese side was Zhang Zhijun, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the Chinese delegation in charge of negotiations on border and territorial affairs.

Both top officials said July 14 marked an end to the 36-year long debate on land border issues between the two countries. They said the event was a milestone in bilateral relations and a prerequisite for building a common borderline of peace, friendship and long-term stability between Vietnam and China.

They asked relevant ministries and agencies from the two countries to work closely to effectively implement these signed documents.

The Vietnam-China land borderline is nearly 1,450km long. Both sides have planted 1971 landmarks, including one defining the boundaries of Vietnam, Laos and China.

After the ceremony, the two delegations held talks on measures to bring the three documents to life. They agreed to establish a joint committee on land border, appoint representatives and build a mechanism for cooperation.