Consciousness ofnation - state is built, consolidated, fostered, and enhanced in the awareness of all classes and social groups about the sovereignty and interests of the nation. Based on analysing the results of research on the consciousness of nation - state of some ethnic groups in the Vietnam - China border area in Ha Giang province in 2021 and 2022, the article generalises the roles of consciousness of nation - state in the following issues: border protection, national defence, border security, national unity, friendly neighbourliness, and the performance ofinternational obligations. On that basis, the article highlights some problems posed in the process of creating and raising Vietnamese ethnic groups ’ national consciousness in the border areas in the current context.