At the recent international conference, named "Cooperation for peaceful and developed borders, seas and islands," held in Hanoi, Erik Franckx, Honorary Professor at prestigious universities in Belgium, former President of the Belgian Society of International Law, talked about practical experiences on Belgian land border issues and drew lessons in handling complex border issues.

Vietnam and Laos are neighboring countries that lie on the Indochina peninsula. Both peoples have attached themselves to each other in the process of national defense and construction, boasted friendly neighbor relationships, and have a long tradition of friendship.

Vietnam and Cambodia have not yet agreed on the land border delimitation at 7 areas.

Vietnam and China shares the Land border of more than 1,400 km in length. Seven Vietnamese provinces (including Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son and Quang Ninh) are adjacent to Chinese Yunnan province and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

In this article, the author - Dr. Tran Cong Truc, shall discuss basic definitions relating to national borders.