Society

Article 1: The "Seeds" of Solidarity on the Vietnam-Laos Border

Thanh Chung, Thanh Cuong, Hoai Thu, Hai Thuong • December 22, 2025 15:21

Following Typhoon No. 3, many villages in neighboring Laos bordering Nghe An province suffered severe damage. Dozens of houses were swept away by floods, and many villages were isolated, facing hunger and cold. In this time of hardship, the people and border guards of Nghe An were the first to appear. Dozens of emergency packages containing rice, instant noodles, drinking water, clothing, and essential supplies were delivered... not only helping the people overcome the crisis but also strengthening the close friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Na Muong calls - Muong Tip answers

For generations, the Nam Mo River has been the lifeblood of the people of both Vietnam and Laos. This once gentle river, laden with silt and teeming with fish and shrimp, has sustained countless villages along its banks. However, on July 21-22, 2025, Typhoon No. 3 struck, causing the Nam Mo River to suddenly surge and become ferocious. On the eastern bank, Muong Tip commune (Nghe An province) was submerged in water. Over a hundred houses were damaged, and roads were destroyed. Ta Do village, located along the river, suffered the most damage, with 7 houses swept away, 21 damaged, and 37 flooded.

In a similar situation, on the western side of the river, Na Muong village (part of the Noong Het Tay cluster, Noong Het district, Xieng Khouang province, Laos) also had 3 houses swept away by the flood, along with large areas of crops and vehicles. The entire village is isolated and facing hunger and thirst.

The face of the village head of Na Muong Xieng Kham Phan showed a hint of shock as he recounted the devastating storm and flood: “The village has 44 households, with 200 inhabitants. When the storm hit, the village was devastated, fields were buried, and every house was damaged. The only dirt road to the district center was blocked by landslides. Isolated, the villagers shared every grain of rice to stave off hunger. By the tenth day, there was nothing left to eat. At that time, we held a meeting to discuss how to go to Vietnam to ask for help, knowing that the Muong Ai Border Guard Post often helped by donating food, seedlings, and guiding the villagers in planting rice, corn, and raising livestock...”

"

The strong current kept pushing and sweeping us away. When we finally swam across, we were moved to tears to see the border guards and officials from Muong Tip commune waiting to greet us.

Mr. Xieng Kham Phan, Na Muong village (Noong Het Tay cluster of villages, Noong Het district, Xieng Khouang province, Laos)

On the morning of July 31st, despite the raging currents of the Nam Mo River, Xieng Kham Phan and several other men from Na Muong village risked their lives swimming across. “Everyone was scared, but if we didn’t go, the people would starve,” recalled Mr. Xenh Xieng Kham, a resident of Na Muong village who participated in the river crossing. “The strong current kept pushing and sweeping us away. When we finally reached the other side, seeing the border guards and officials from Muong Tip commune waiting to greet us brought tears to our eyes.”

News of Laotian people crossing the flooded river to seek help was quickly reported to the leaders of Muong Tip commune and the Border Guard Post. Although Muong Tip commune itself was devastated by the storm, the Party Secretary, Vi Thi Quyen, immediately directed that "our friends must be rescued." Just a few hours later, 40 emergency packages containing rice, instant noodles, drinking water, clothing, and essential supplies were transported across the river. Boats glided through the murky water, carrying the heartfelt compassion of the people of Muong Tip to their compatriots on the other side of the border.

The very next day (August 1st), officers and soldiers of the Muong Ai Border Guard Post continued to bring gifts to Na Muong village, including rice, water, household goods, and tools worth over 20 million VND. Each bag of heartfelt gifts was passed across the river, each firm handshake and look of understanding between the Vietnamese soldiers and the Lao people moved many who witnessed it.

Not only during those days, but the Muong Ai Border Guard Post continued its relief and rescue efforts for Na Muong village for many days afterward. And it wasn't just Na Muong; the border guard unit of the neighboring country also received support. Captain Lau Gia Nenh, Team Leader of the Ta Do Task Force, Border Guard Company 221, Xieng Khouang Provincial Military Command, emotionally shared: “Not only did they rescue the people, but they also shared their food with us. In times of hardship, such kindness is more precious than gold.”

Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Quang Hieu, Political Officer of the Muong Ai Border Guard Station, shared: “In 2025, we organized three delegations to visit and present gifts to the border protection forces and people of Laos. In total, we gave 25 gift packages to our neighboring units, 125 packages to people living near the border, and sponsored one Lao student – ​​providing 6 million VND annually. The solidarity between Vietnam and Laos is not just in words, but in simple acts like these.”

The story of camaraderie along the Nam Mo River quickly spread throughout the border region. From one side to the other, boats of solidarity continued to travel back and forth, connecting the two banks, like an invisible thread binding the two peoples together for generations.

Cultivating unwavering unity

Not only Na Muong, but during typhoon number 3, many other villages in neighboring countries also received assistance from the people and military of Nghe An. In the Bo Nhia cluster of villages (Noong Het district, Xieng Khouang province) - where dozens of houses were swept away by flash floods - the Keng Du commune government and the Keng Du Border Guard Post called for donations and sent rice, necessities, and cash to the neighboring cluster of villages and the 223rd Border Guard Company of neighboring Vietnam.

"

In times of hardship, the Vietnamese soldiers are the first to appear. Their gifts not only helped people overcome their predicament but also warmed their hearts.

Lieutenant Colonel Kham Mung Cong Vi Lay - Political Officer of Border Guard Company 223, Xieng Khouang Provincial Military Command

Upon receiving the heartwarming gifts, Lieutenant Colonel Kham Mung Cong Vi Lay, Political Officer of Border Guard Company 223, Xieng Khouang Provincial Military Command, emotionally expressed: “In times of hardship, the Vietnamese soldiers are the first to appear. These gifts not only saved our people from danger but also warmed our hearts.”

Similarly, to help the Phieng Khun village in Sam To district, Hua Phan province, overcome the storm and floods, the Thong Thu Border Guard Post raised funds and mobilized benefactors to donate 60 gift packages to households and 90 packages to the Lao border guard and police forces. Lieutenant Colonel Hoang The Tai, Political Officer of the Thong Thu Border Guard Post, said: "Each gift package is only 700,000 VND, but it represents the heartfelt brotherhood between the Vietnamese soldiers and people."

The mutual support, sharing, and assistance in times of hardship between the people of the villages and the military forces of Vietnam and Laos has become a cherished tradition for generations. This solidarity and sharing was further enhanced and strengthened when, in 2013, the two countries launched the "sister village" movement between villages on both sides of the border. Ta Đo village (Nghe An province) and Na Muong village (Laos) were among the first two pairs of villages on the Vietnam-Laos border in Nghe An province to establish a sister village relationship, thanks to the efforts of the Nghe An Border Guard, marking the beginning of a journey to cultivate friendship along the border.

Reporters from Nghe An province's newspapers, radio, and television have attended numerous village-to-village brotherhood ceremonies. One unforgettable memory is the ceremony in 2018 between Pung Vai village, part of the Pha Danh cluster (Muong Quan district, Hua Phan province, Laos) and Pha Chieng village (My Ly commune, Nghe An province). To reach Pung Vai, the people of My Ly had to spend nearly two days traversing hills, mountains, and streams. Despite the long and arduous journey, everyone was eager to become "one family." During the ceremony, the head of Pha Chieng village embraced the head of Pung Vai village, saying, "We will always be brothers!"

Strengthening solidarity between the two countries, and between Nghe An province and the provinces sharing a border with Laos, has always been a strategic task in national construction and defense. Over the years, under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, the Nghe An provincial military forces have successfully implemented the Party and State's foreign policy, contributing to consolidating, strengthening, and expanding strategic cooperation with the provinces of Laos.

According to Colonel Pham Dinh Trung – Deputy Political Commissar of the Nghe An Provincial Military Command: “The provincial military forces have effectively implemented many projects and programs to contribute to promoting the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos: Organizing 16 training courses for Lao officers; investing tens of billions of VND in construction projects and purchasing equipment for three neighboring provinces; organizing free medical examinations and dispensing free medicine; supporting people during natural disasters and epidemics, with the recent Typhoon No. 3 being the most vivid example.”

From the trenches of yesteryear to the peacetime of today, the soldiers of Uncle Ho's army have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Lao army and people, not only to defend the land and border markers, but also to preserve a strong and loyal friendship... enriching the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos – a priceless legacy that President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong painstakingly cultivated. Amidst the mountains and forests of the Nghe An border region, the greetings of "Sabaidi!" and "Hello!" still resound every day, simple yet warm.

(To be continued...)