These measures were part of an agreement on comprehensive cooperation reached by authorities of the two provinces at a late December visit to Hua Phan by a Son La delegation.

Other key cooperative areas included education and training, healthcare and agriculture. Host and guest also pledged to make joint efforts in solving social order problems in the border area.

The two provinces have succeeded in carrying out its six-year cooperation programme ending in 2006, which has considerably contributed to their socio-economic development, ranging from economics to trade, tourism, healthcare, education, infrastructure and security.