Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia: Walking in step, ready to respond to all situations

On the morning of October 15, in the border area between the capital Vientiane and Vientiane province of Laos, a joint search and rescue exercise between the armies of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in 2025 took place to practice coordination and combat coordination in search and rescue situations to overcome the consequences of natural disasters such as floods, landslides and collapsed structures.

Attending the event were General Chansamone Chanyalath - Politburo member, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee for National Defense and Security, Deputy Prime Minister of Laos; General Phan Van Giang - Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam; Senior Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone - Party Central Committee member, Minister of National Defense of Laos; General Tea Seiha - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense of Cambodia.

The drill was held at Namhoum Lake from October 6-15 with the main contents including: practicing and rehearsing rescue situations due to collapsed structures; searching and rescuing people swept away by floodwaters on rivers and at sea.

This is one of the most important practical training forms of the armed forces of the three countries to improve the capacity to coordinate response to incidents and natural disasters, protecting people's lives.

According to the hypothetical situation, due to the impact of prolonged heavy rain and floods causing landslides and collapsing many buildings and houses of people in the border area, the military forces of the three countries coordinated to practice search and rescue.

Engineer forces deployed to search and rescue victims trapped in collapsed buildings; military medical forces received, conducted first aid, classified and transferred patients to field hospitals, and at the same time dispatched helicopters to transport seriously ill victims to higher treatment levels.

Forces participating in the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia exercise coordinated patrols and searched for victims by motorboat. (Photo: Xuan Tu/VNA)

In the river search and rescue mission, the three countries' forces coordinated to patrol and search for victims in flood-hit areas using means such as boats, helicopters and drones.

Emergency medical rescue boats and helicopters of the Vietnam People's Army participated in helping to bring victims out of the danger zone, and emergency medical teams performed first aid on the spot before transporting victims to field hospitals.

In land rescue situations, forces use drones to patrol and survey; reconnaissance teams approach disaster areas, collect information and take population statistics.

Rescue teams and sniffer dogs were deployed to search and assist people buried by landslides.

Engineers organized rescue and cleared the cut-off area, while medical staff urgently provided first aid, cared for the injured, and transported seriously ill victims to higher-level hospitals by helicopter.

Sharing with VNA reporters in Laos, Captain Vo Thanh Cong - Engineering Brigade 414, Military Region 4 (Vietnam Ministry of National Defense ), the unit participating in the exercise - said that in the joint search and rescue exercise between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in 2025, the military forces of the three countries coordinated closely, prepared carefully and performed well the assigned contents and tasks.

This is an opportunity for the three countries' armies to strengthen international solidarity, and at the same time a valuable opportunity for the forces to exchange experiences, improve and enhance their skills in search and rescue work, contributing to improving the effectiveness of coordination in practice.

Captain Vo Thanh Cong affirmed that through this exercise, it can be seen that the military forces of the three countries have shown smooth coordination and close communication during the implementation of the mission. This shows that, if in reality a situation arises that requires coordination between the three countries' militaries, the forces are fully capable of effectively cooperating in combat and successfully completing the assigned rescue mission.

From the host country's perspective, Colonel Khamphai Ouanvilay - Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department, General Staff Department of the Lao People's Army - affirmed that this exercise not only helps improve professional capacity but also demonstrates the spirit of solidarity and cohesion between the armies of the three brotherly countries.

Transporting victims to a field hospital. (Photo: Xuan Tu/VNA)

According to Colonel Khamphai Ouanvilay, through the exercise, the three countries' military forces had the opportunity to exchange and share experiences in coordination, improve skills, and ability to coordinate smoothly and proficiently in rescue missions. After the exercise, the three sides will evaluate and draw practical lessons to apply to the work of each army, contributing to improving response capacity when incidents occur.

From the perspective of the Cambodian forces, Colonel Long Kimthean - Deputy Director of the Training Department, General Command of the Royal Cambodian Army - said that participating in exercises and exchanges with the Vietnamese and Lao armies is a meaningful activity, contributing to strengthening solidarity and friendship between the three armies. Through this program, the Cambodian side learned many valuable experiences, which can be effectively applied to training and performing tasks at units in the Royal Cambodian Army.

The 2025 joint search and rescue exercise is a vivid demonstration of the spirit of “Solidarity-Cooperation-Readiness” of the armies of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The forces united, coordinated closely, organized successful exercises, practiced search and rescue close to reality, and effectively implemented coordination plans.

Through this activity, the forces not only trained in skills to respond to natural disasters and catastrophes but also continued to strengthen and promote the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the three neighboring countries of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The exercise contributes to improving combat coordination capacity, affirming the readiness of the three countries' armies to jointly ensure peace, stability and security in the region, for the happiness and peaceful life of the people of each country./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/viet-nam-lao-campuchia-chung-nhip-buoc-san-sang-ung-pho-moi-tinh-huong-post1070510.vnp