While working with generals and officers of the Zone on August 12, Mr Dung asked them to stay alert and prepared to counter subversive plots and to build a standing force to ensure political security and protect Vietnam’s independence and sovereignty.

As the Military Zone is strategically important, it should cooperate closely with the police force to prevent and halt acts of subversion taken by anti-government forces, said Mr Dung.

He said the zone should also work closely with local administrations to help them develop the economy, reduce poverty, mitigate natural calamities and build friendly and peaceful relations with neighbouring countries.

Zone Commander Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty briefed Mr Dung on recent achievements of the zone, noting that political security in the region has been constantly maintained, facilitating local socio-economic development.

The same day, PM Dung held a working session with the Steering Board of the North-Western Region to mark its fifth anniversary (August 24).

The north-western region makes up nearly one third of the country’s total area and shares more than 2,500km of borders with Laos and China. It has more than 30 ethnic groups with a population of approximately 9.8 million. Its minerals and other natural resources, tourist attractions, cross-border trade and hydro power give it great potential for development.

The region achieved an annual GDP growth rate of 11 percent between 2005 and 2008 with an average per capita income reaching VND7.8 million in 2008.

However, Mr Dung said that the impoverished region still faces a lot of difficulties, including poor infrastructure, slow progress in economic restructuring and some pressing social issues.

He asked the Steering Board to instruct the provinces to disburse and use capital resources effectively, upgrade infrastructure, develop a forest-based economy, expand agricultural areas for commodity production, train human resources and ensure social welfare.

He proposed that the board study and make recommendations to the Party and government for new development tasks, maintain regional security and national defence and implement policies to benefit local ethnic groups.

Mr Dung’s visit included an inspection of the Yen Binh Vinaconex cement plant, which has a design capacity to churn out 1 million tonnes of cement a year.