Beautiful symbols of military-civilian relations in the border area

(Baonghean) - Located on the Vietnam - Laos border, Muong Tip commune, Ky Son district is a bright spot in the work of protecting the border and landmarks. Amidst the rolling hills, the army and people of this border area are day and night guarding the sacred border of the Fatherland, enhancing the friendship between the two brotherly countries of Vietnam and Laos.

Border guards of Muong Tip (Ky Son) provide warm clothes to local people. Photo: Thanh Duy.

From Muong Xen town, struggling for nearly 2 hours on a bumpy road, with mountains on one side and Nam Mo river on the other, I arrived at the border land of Muong Tip. The commune has 27 km of border with Laos, of which 24 km is by river, the rest is by road with 2 border markers 410 and 419. Imagine on the map, the border is just a small line, then the houses here are located almost close to that line.

From the headquarters of Muong Tip Commune People's Committee, looking out about 50m, across the river is the border of the neighboring country with yellow forests in the season of changing leaves. The terrain is unique and economic life is still full of difficulties, but the work of protecting the border, landmarks, building a peaceful and friendly border is a sacred task that the Party Committee, government and people here always keep in mind.

Leading me along the Nam Mo River, Mr. Luong Xuan Lieu - Party Secretary of Ta Do village, one of the nine villages of Muong Tip - humorously said: "Vietnam and Laos are two brotherly countries, so the people of Ta Do village and Na Muong village, Pha Ven cluster of villages (Noong Het district, Laos - reporter's note) on the other side of the border also consider each other as brothers".

Muong Tip Border Guard Station (Ky Son) coordinates with Lao border guards to patrol and protect border markers. Photo: Thanh Duy.

In particular, since 2013, the policy of village-to-village friendship has been implemented, and the friendship between the two sides has become even deeper. The lives of the two villages are still poor, and they may not be able to help each other much in material terms, but they are always friendly in spirit. Whenever there are holidays or Tet, both sides invite each other to attend.

Every day, when you come to us - we go to you to visit relatives, shop, and exchange information - the functional forces of the two countries create favorable conditions.

"Thanks to the propaganda from the border guards and the commune government, our villagers all understand that protecting border markers, complying with the law and building a friendly border is the duty of every citizen, so our villagers all comply well" - Secretary of the Party Cell of Ta Do village (Muong Tip) Luong Xuan Lieu shared.

The militia, reserve forces, and police are also always focused on strengthening and improving their quality. Once a month, the police, military, and militia forces of the commune coordinate with the border guards of Muong Tip station to patrol the border and landmarks. The terrain is divided and requires travel by both river and road, so there are many difficulties, but the local forces always complete their tasks well.

Comrade Moong Pho Tuc - Secretary of the Party Committee of Muong Tip commune said: "The work of protecting border security and social order and safety in the area is always ensured, creating a foundation to accelerate economic development and reduce poverty". In addition, Muong Tip commune also promotes bilateral information exchange with Pha Ven cluster and Tham Thao cluster, Noong Het district, Laos, which are localities bordering Muong Tip. Especially with Tham Thao cluster, the commune has organized twinning and had practical exchange activities such as corn seeds, mosquito nets, etc. for the people on the other side.

Border guards and border residents patrol to protect sovereignty on the Nam Mo River. Photo: Nhat Le.

On the other hand, being stationed in the border area, in the spirit of “the army and the people are like fish and water”, in addition to coordinating with the locality and the functional forces of neighboring countries to patrol the border and landmarks to ensure border security and sovereignty, officers and soldiers of Muong Tip border post also have many practical and meaningful activities to help consolidate the political system and eliminate hunger and reduce poverty in the locality, helping the people. In particular, in recent times, the post has helped people build a model of growing passion fruit and raising cows, pigs and goats to develop the economy.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Tai - Political Commissar of Muong Tip Border Guard Station said: "There is a close bond and solidarity between the unit and the local Party Committee and government; the people support with high spirit and responsibility in the activities. Therefore, the border section through Muong Tip commune is truly stable and friendly, and the sovereignty markers are safely protected."

Overcoming many rapids, the Nam Mo River still flows tirelessly as a testament to the close relationship between the army and the people in the Muong Tip border area, the steadfast friendship between Vietnam and Laos. That border, that landmark is maintained firmly thanks to such "milestones" of the army and the people's love.

Nhat Le