Springtime on the border, my soldier stands guard over the distant sky…
While the streets are bustling with the colors of Tet (Vietnamese New Year), and families gather around the New Year's Eve dinner table, on the border of the Fatherland, soldiers in green uniforms silently stand guard along the border and boundary markers between Vietnam and Laos. Amidst the biting cold of the mountainous region, they set aside their personal feelings, firmly holding their weapons, ensuring peace on every inch of sacred land so that the people can happily welcome the Spring. There, spring is not only about blooming peach blossoms and green sticky rice cakes, but also about patrols through the night and unwavering vows to the border.
.png)
Khanh Ly - Thanh Phuc - Hai Thuong/Present:Hong ToaiFebruary 18, 2026
*****
While the streets are bustling with the colors of spring, and families gather around the New Year's Eve dinner table, on the border of the Fatherland, soldiers in green uniforms silently stand guard along the border and boundary markers between Vietnam and Laos. Amidst the biting cold of the mountainous region, they set aside their personal feelings, firmly holding their weapons, ensuring peace on every inch of sacred land so that the people can happily celebrate Tet. There, spring is not only about peach blossoms and green sticky rice cakes, but also about the footsteps of patrolling through the night and the unwavering oath to the border.
In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, we made our way up the mountain slopes to the remote border region of Nghe An province. The dirt road was bumpy with rocks, one side a sheer cliff, the other a deep ravine; the further we went, the more we felt the biting cold of the highlands. Our destination was the Huoi Moi Task Force of the Tri Le Border Guard Post – where soldiers are stationed day and night to protect the border section bordering Dan Din village, Muong Quan district, Hua Phan province (Laos).
The task force is stationed about 2km from the center of Huoi Moi village, and more than 12km through the forest from the outpost. This season, fog blankets the paths, and at times the temperature drops to only 7-8 degrees Celsius. Yet, amidst the tranquil mountain air, the small camp still radiates the spirit of spring. Fresh pink peach blossoms bloom in front of the camp, a tray of five fruits is respectfully arranged on the altar dedicated to the Fatherland, the vegetable garden is lush green, and rows of onions, roses, and chrysanthemums are cultivated by the officers and soldiers themselves… All of this creates a complete and fulfilling Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration in a place that seems to be filled only with cold winds and endless clouds.
Lieutenant Colonel Dau Ba Phuc – who has been with the border guard force for 35 years – shared while preparing banana leaves for making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) with his comrades: “Although Tet (Lunar New Year) at the border is far from home, it's never lacking in warmth. We grow our own vegetables, and raise our own pigs and chickens. On the 27th and 28th of Tet, we go into the forest to cut banana leaves, slaughter pigs, and wrap banh chung. On New Year's Eve, we gather around the fire, reminiscing about the past year and encouraging each other to complete our duties.”
Beside the pot of sticky rice cakes simmering over the fire, Lieutenant Colonel Ho Quang Ha – who has served nearly three decades on both the maritime and land fronts – nimbly arranges the cakes into molds.
He had been on duty during Tet for many years. “Some years I got to go home and reunite with my family, but this year I’m staying here with my comrades. The phone signal is unreliable here, so sometimes I can’t call home at that sacred moment on New Year’s Eve. But sitting by the fire, listening to my comrades talk about their children and families, the longing is lessened,” he confided.
.jpg)
For Captain Ngo Minh Thuong (born in 1993), this is his first spring at the frontline outpost. "It's hard not to feel a pang of sadness when I think of my family, but I'm proud to be standing on the front lines of the Fatherland. The outpost, the station, the post are my home; the people are my family," he confided, his eyes shining with determination.
The Huoi Moi village has 53 households with nearly a thousand Mong people. Around the task force, there are more than a dozen households that have built production huts, growing peaches, vegetables, and raising livestock. Every Tet holiday, the villagers bring chickens, vegetables, bottles of corn wine, etc., to wish the soldiers a happy new year. These simple gifts, made from "homegrown" produce, are filled with heartfelt affection. The soldiers and villagers make traditional cakes together, play traditional games (throwing the ball, stick pushing), exchange cultural performances, and share stories about their work and lives. The bond between the military and the people in this border region is thus strengthened.
Mr. Xong Xia Ly, a respected figure in Huoi Moi village, who built a hut right next to the task force to farm and grow peaches, said: "Normally, I always receive a lot of help and support from the officers and soldiers in the task force. During Tet, I often go to the task force to encourage and thank the soldiers who celebrate Tet away from their families so that the villagers can have a peaceful and joyful Tet."
Not only local people, but also representatives of village officials and border guards from Dan Din village (Muong Quan district, Hua Phan province, Laos) came to visit and extend New Year greetings. The firm handshakes between the two sides of the border are a vivid symbol of the loyal and unwavering solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.
.jpg)
Leaving Huoi Moi, we continued on to the Huoi Khe Task Force of the Muong Ai Border Guard Post. The new, spacious barracks were nestled amidst the white blossoms of apricot and plum trees and the pale pink of peach blossoms. But hidden behind that peaceful appearance was a constant state of readiness for combat, never letting up for a moment.
The Huồi Khe Task Force manages the border section from marker 415 to marker 419 on the Vietnam-Laos border, approximately 20km from the outpost along the patrol route and 8km from the nearest village. Over the past year, the unit has done a good job of monitoring the local situation, mobilizing the people of the Ai Khe and Tham Khop communities to strictly comply with policies and laws; and maintaining information exchange with the border protection forces on the other side in the Xam Che village cluster, Xieng Khouang province.
Having served on the border for 33 years, Lieutenant Colonel Duong Van Vinh, the team leader, affirmed: "When Tet (Lunar New Year) comes, everyone has their own worries, but for soldiers guarding the border, duty comes first. We are determined to ensure that the people can celebrate the New Year safely and without any unexpected incidents."
In the border regions of our country, spring is not only about colorful flowers, but also about patrols that run through the night. While villages are bustling with preparations for New Year's Eve, officers and soldiers of the Nam Can International Border Gate Border Guard Post quietly march along border markers 405-406, strictly controlling trails and open routes – areas often exploited by criminals to transport drugs, firecrackers, and illegal goods.
The Nam Can International Border Gate area inherently harbors many complex security and order issues. Therefore, the unit has closely coordinated with the Police, Customs, and border protection forces of Laos to organize bilateral patrols, exchange information regularly, and proactively detect and prevent violations early and from afar.
Among the patrol team were young soldiers on duty away from home for the first time during Tet. Corporal Pham Van Phuc briefly shared: "I miss home, but duty comes first." When he got a phone signal, he quickly called home to wish his family a Happy New Year. These brief calls in the mountains were enough to give him and his comrades the motivation to continue marching in the cold.
At Keng Du Border Guard Post, the unit manages nearly 30km of border with a system of border markers and posts stretching across rugged mountainous terrain. Before, during, and after Tet (Lunar New Year), officers and soldiers intensified bilateral patrols with the Lao border protection force; at the same time, they coordinated with local Party committees, authorities, police, and military to maintain security and order.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Tu, Political Officer of Keng Du Border Guard Station, shared: "Through patrol and control activities, we contribute to maintaining political security and social order in the border area during the Lunar New Year, ensuring peace for the people to enjoy the Spring Festival."
In a conversation with us, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Trung, Deputy Commander of the Border Guard of Nghe An province, added: Implementing the 2026 work order, the unit launched a high-intensity campaign to protect the border before, during, and after Tet; reviewed and supplemented combat readiness plans; strictly maintained 24/7 duty; and reinforced forces in key areas.
From the end of November 2025 to mid-January 2026 alone, the units detected and handled 56 cases involving 79 individuals; seized over 111 kg of firecrackers, more than 18,000 synthetic drug pills, 2 blocks of heroin, nearly 4 kg of explosives, and many other dangerous items; persuaded people to surrender 27 homemade guns; and successfully cracked 3 major cases related to drugs, firecrackers, and human trafficking. These telling figures are proof of the proactive and decisive efforts in maintaining border security.
Alongside their professional duties, special attention was paid to caring for officers and soldiers during the Lunar New Year. 100% of the personnel were instilled with the motto "Enjoy the New Year without forgetting your duties"; all entitlements and benefits were ensured; the feelings of young soldiers experiencing their first time away from home were carefully considered; and no soldiers were assigned to duty during the Lunar New Year for two consecutive years. This attention served as a spiritual anchor, strengthening the resolve of each soldier.
In the vast forests of Nghe An province, spring arrives with the vibrant colors of wild peach blossoms and the warmth of campfires. But behind this atmosphere of togetherness lie the sleepless nights of duty and the silent footsteps of patrols. The silent sacrifices of these soldiers in green uniforms have contributed to safeguarding every border marker and every border line, ensuring that every village and every home in the rear can welcome a peaceful and complete spring. "Preserving spring on the nation's frontier" – this is not just a duty, but also a source of pride and a solemn vow of the soldiers who stand guard day and night.
