Some Issues of Social Vices in the Vietnam-China Border Area

Abstract

The Vietnam-China border holds significant importance regarding our country’s socio-economy, national defence, and security. However, social issues in this area remain intricate, exerting a substantial impact on people’s lives, socio-economic development, security, and order. An examination of pertinent documents and on-site investigations in Ban Lau commune (Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province) and Ta Lung town (Quang Hoa district, Cao Bang province) indicates that social problems in the border regions tended to diminish during the Covid-19 pandemic but resumed an upward trend after the pandemic was brought under control. Despite local authorities and enforcement agencies implementing numerous management measures and countermeasures to curtail social issues, various factors, such as geographical location, topography, living conditions, domestic ethnic relationships, long-standing cross-border connections, and  limited awareness of certain individuals regarding the law, contribute to the complexity of the situation. Consequently, the law enforcement agencies and the political system must intensify their communication efforts and implement more efficacious management strategies, wherein it is essential to consider the socio-economic and cultural attributes of the border residents.