Under Decision 864/QĐ-TTg, the border area between Việt Nam and Laos will cover ten provinces (Điện Biên, Sơn La, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên Huế, Quảng Nam, and Kon Tum), with the total natural land of 95,240.85 km 2 . It will serve as the gateway for external economic exchange of the country.

Besides, the region will be a center for forestry development and biodiversity preservation. This is also the concentration of processing industries, mining, building material production, agriculture, hydroelectricity, and irrigation.

Both domestic and foreign investors will be given incentives and preferential policies as they engage in BOT, BT and FDI projects on border economic zones, economic zones, industrial parts, tourist sites, training centers, special healthcare centers, and infrastructure.

A Steering Board will be founded for mobilizing capital sources as well as directing the realization of investment projects.

By Hương Giang