Society

Final poem: A new spring in the high mountains

Thanh Chung, Thanh Cuong, Hoai Thu, Hai Thuong • December 22, 2025 15:30

The villages in western Nghe An province are gradually undergoing a transformation. There, newly opened concrete roads, brightly lit cultural centers, clean water facilities, and modern schools all bear the indelible mark of the soldiers of Uncle Ho's army – those who have brought and continue to bring prosperity and a better spring to the highlands.

Developing border villages

Pieng Lang is a poor border village located 25 km from the center of Que Phong commune. Established in 2007, the village currently has 56 households with 259 inhabitants, mainly of the Thai ethnic group. The villagers' livelihoods depend on slash-and-burn agriculture and the surrounding forests. Three years ago, Pieng Lang was still isolated and cut off from other villages. The dirt road leading to the village was narrow and slippery. Difficult trade and transportation exacerbated the already impoverished living conditions.

Over the past three years, Piêng Lâng village has been revitalized. The road leading to Piêng Lâng village has been paved with concrete, making it sturdy and connecting it to the commune center. The village now has a spacious community center with complete cultural facilities. Mr. Ngân Văn Minh, the village Party Secretary, emotionally stated: “These projects were all supported by the Provincial Military Command, totaling nearly 500 million VND. Now, cars can reach the village to purchase agricultural and forestry products, making travel easier for the villagers, eliminating the need to wade through streams and carry goods on their backs. The villagers can sell their goods, and their lives are much less difficult.”

Not only in Pieng Lang village, but throughout Que Phong commune today, the hand of the soldiers is evident everywhere. Mr. Quang Van Thuyen, Secretary of the Party Branch of Mo village, recounted: “The Provincial Military Command supported the construction of a nearly 2-kilometer-long concrete road connecting the main road to the production area, benefiting 92 households. And the new cultural center, worth over 100 million VND, was also donated by the Provincial Military Command, allowing the villagers to gather for activities, practice performing arts, and have a lot of fun.”

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The soldiers donated a solar-powered lighting system consisting of 20 poles. Thanks to the lights, the village roads are brighter, making it safer for people to travel at night, and improving security and order.

Comrade Vi Van Ky - Head of Cha Lau, Que Phong commune

In Chà Lấu village, village head Vi Văn Kỳ shared his joy: “The soldiers donated a solar-powered lighting system with 20 poles to the village. Thanks to the lights, the village roads are brighter, making it safer for people to travel at night, and improving security and order.” Pointing to a newly built, bright two-story stilt house, Mr. Kỳ added: “That’s the house of Mr. Hà Văn Ngọc’s family – one of the two poor households that received a house from the soldiers. Mr. and Mrs. Ngọc are sick all year round, and their house was dilapidated. In 2024, the Provincial Military Command donated this stilt house, which is very sturdy and cozy. On the day of the handover, everyone in the village was happy for them.”

Thanks to the support of the Provincial Military Command, many families in Que Phong commune have overcome difficulties and risen out of poverty. A prime example is the family of Mr. Lu Minh Thuong and Ms. Lo Thi Hien in Cha Lau village. Having received a breeding cow five years ago, they now have a herd of eight cows. Besides raising cattle, the family also grows cassava, acacia, and cinnamon. "Thanks to the cow donated by the soldiers, my family has capital to start a business, and my two children can attend school regularly," Mr. Thuong recounted.

Besides focusing on economic matters, the Provincial Military Command also pays special attention to education in disadvantaged areas. In 2021, out of concern for the students of Nam Giai Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School who lacked a proper canteen, the Provincial Military Command provided 1.8 billion VND to build a spacious, clean, and beautiful 360m² boarding school canteen. Mr. Ho Sy Quy, the school's vice principal, said: “The Provincial Military Command also installed a hot water system and donated blankets, tables, and chairs. Students' meals are now much safer and more hygienic.”

Mr. Sam Van Thanh - Chairman of the Party Committee's Inspection Committee of Que Phong commune (formerly Secretary of the Party Committee of Nam Giai commune) affirmed: “Over the years, the Provincial Military Command has helped the commune build a strong political foundation, develop infrastructure, and improve the lives of the people. The Provincial Military Command has provided medical examinations and dispensed medicine to more than 2,500 people; dredged 167 km of canals; leveled 123,500 m² of land; provided 2,000 tons of cement; repaired and built 287 km of inter-village roads; and planted 17,500 trees. The total value of the projects and support gifts reached over 9 billion VND... Thanks to that help, Que Phong commune is gradually achieving sustainable poverty reduction, and social security is ensured.”

The people have difficulty having soldiers.

In the mountainous region of Nghe An, the saying "Where there is hardship, there are soldiers" has become a clear and undeniable truth. Wherever there is natural disaster, there are soldiers. Wherever there is poverty, there is the helping hand of the soldiers. According to Colonel Pham Dinh Trung, Deputy Political Commissar of the Nghe An Provincial Military Command, with the spirit of "Leaving no one behind," the provincial military forces always join hands with the people in the mountainous and border areas. This is not only about material support but also a manifestation of the close bond between the military and the people.

Over the past five years, the provincial military forces have contributed significantly to the fight against poverty and the construction of new rural areas. Specifically, the Provincial Military Command mobilized 23,132 man-days to build and repair 155 km of concrete roads, 28 km of power lines, and 187 km of irrigation canals; built one community cultural center, 12 schools, 23 classrooms, nine health stations, 12 rural markets, 18 clean water projects, eight bridges, and 160 houses... In addition, the Provincial Military Command also provided plant and animal breeds to households to develop sustainable economic activities.

In parallel, many movements and programs organized by the Provincial Military Command have spread widely, such as: "The whole country joins hands for the poor - No one left behind," "Spring on the border, Tet full of military-civilian affection," "Godmothers - Connecting love," "Helping children go to school"... Through these programs, 840 poor households in high-altitude border communes received gifts worth 960 million VND; 40 tablets, 2,500 warm jackets, and 200 bicycles were given to students; 109 ethnic minority students received sponsorship and support totaling over 1.35 billion VND; and 6 literacy classes were opened for 371 people in the highlands.

With the spirit of "helping the people is a command from the heart," over the past five years, the Border Guard Force of Nghe An province (under the Provincial Military Command) has implemented hundreds of effective models. Colonel Tran Dang Khoa, Deputy Political Commissar of the Provincial Border Guard Force, said: "The Provincial Border Guard Force mobilized tens of thousands of man-days to build and repair nearly 500 km of roads, renovate 195 km of canals, build and repair 210 houses for poor households, and mobilize more than 41 billion VND for social welfare. In addition, the Provincial Border Guard Force also donated 270 cows, 148 goats, 424 piglets... and implemented 57 economic models to help the people."

In particular, each Border Guard Party member is also assigned to be in charge of 4-5 poor households, helping them with farming and livestock raising techniques. "We consider this a long-term task. Only when the people are well-fed and prosperous will the border be peaceful," said Colonel Tran Dang Khoa.

In western Nghe An province, from highland schools and student meals to newly opened concrete roads, the hands and sweat of the soldiers of Uncle Ho's army are evident. The image of soldiers helping people build houses, construct roads, sow rice seedlings, provide medical care, and teach literacy has become familiar, close, and endearing. Comrade Bui Thanh An, a member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, affirmed: The provincial military forces have been effectively fulfilling their role in strengthening national defense and security, protecting the Fatherland; supporting the building of a strong political foundation; and helping people eradicate hunger, reduce poverty, and stabilize social life.

According to the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, first and foremost, the military forces always stay close to the area, have a firm grasp of the situation, and coordinate closely with the government to effectively implement policies and guidelines. In disaster prevention and control, the army is always on the front line, present in the most difficult areas. The image of soldiers braving floods to rescue people, rebuild houses, and clear roads has become a symbol of the spirit of "selfless service to the people."

Alongside their national defense duties, the military forces also serve as a driving force for socio-economic development in border regions. Production models, technology transfer, and livelihood support initiatives are widely implemented by the military, helping people escape poverty and stabilize their lives. Many public works projects, including roads, bridges, schools, and cultural centers, have been constructed with the participation of the military, creating significant improvements in infrastructure and living conditions in remote areas.

In particular, in foreign affairs, the provincial military forces play the role of a "bridge of peace" in the special Vietnam-Laos relationship. Programs such as twinning villages, bilateral patrols, friendly exchanges, medical examinations and treatment, and gift-giving to the Lao people have contributed to building a peaceful, friendly, and cooperative border for mutual development, Comrade Bui Thanh An stated.