Beautiful symbols of the bond between soldiers and civilians in the border region.

(Baonghean) - Located on the Vietnam-Laos border, Muong Tip commune, Ky Son district, is a shining example in border protection and boundary marker maintenance. Amidst the rolling hills, the military and civilians in this border region are guarding the sacred border of the Fatherland day and night, strengthening the friendship between the two brotherly countries of Vietnam and Laos.

Border guards in Muong Tip (Ky Son district) provide warm clothing to local residents. Photo: Thanh Duy.

From Muong Xen town, after a nearly two-hour struggle on a bumpy, precarious road between mountains on one side and the Nam Mo River on the other, I finally arrived at the borderland of Muong Tip. The commune has 27 km of border with Laos, of which 24 km is river, and the rest is road with two border markers, 410 and 419. Imagine on a map, the border is just a small line; the houses here are situated almost right next to that line.

From the headquarters of the Muong Tip Commune People's Committee, looking out about 50 meters, across the river lies the border of our neighboring country, with its forests of yellowing trees shedding their leaves. Despite the unique terrain and the numerous economic difficulties, the task of protecting the border, boundary markers, and building a peaceful and friendly border is a sacred duty that the Party Committee, government, and people of this area always remember.

Leading me along the banks of the Nam Mo River, Mr. Luong Xuan Lieu – Secretary of the Party Branch 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, and the 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 district) cooperates with Lao border guards to patrol and protect border markers. Photo: Thanh Duy.

In particular, since 2013, following the policy of establishing sister villages, the friendship between the two sides has deepened. While the people of both villages are still poor and may not be able to help each other much materially, their spirit remains friendly. Whenever there is a holiday or festival, both sides invite each other to celebrate together.

Normally, when people visit each other to see relatives, shop, or exchange information, the authorities of both countries facilitate the process.

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

The militia, reserve forces, and police are also consistently strengthened and their quality improved. Once a month, the police, military, and militia forces of the commune cooperate with the border guard at Muong Tip outpost to patrol the border and boundary markers. The fragmented terrain and the need to travel by both river and road present many difficulties, but the local forces have all successfully completed their tasks.

Comrade Moong Pho Tuc – Secretary of the Party Committee of Muong Tip commune, said: “Border security and social order in the area are always ensured, creating a foundation to accelerate economic development and poverty reduction.” In addition, Muong Tip commune also promotes bilateral information exchange with the Pha Ven and Tham Thao hamlets in Noong Het district, Laos, which are bordering Muong Tip. Particularly with the Tham Thao hamlet, the commune has established a sister-hamlet relationship and carried out practical exchange activities such as providing corn seeds and mosquito nets to the people on the other side.

Border guards and local people patrol the Nậm Mộ River to protect national sovereignty. Photo: Nhật Lệ.

On the other hand, stationed in the border region, in the spirit of "the army and the people are like fish and water," besides coordinating with local authorities and functional forces of the neighboring country to patrol the border and border markers to ensure border security and sovereignty, the officers and soldiers of the Muong Tip border guard post also carry out many practical and meaningful activities to help strengthen the political system and alleviate poverty in the locality, assisting the people. In particular, in recent times, the post has helped the people develop models for growing passion fruit and raising cattle, pigs, and goats to develop the economy.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Tai, Political Officer of the Muong Tip Border Guard Post, stated: “The unit and the local Party committee and government are very close and united; the people support us with high spirit and responsibility in all activities. Therefore, the border section passing through Muong Tip commune is truly stable and friendly, and the sovereignty markers are safely protected.”

Overcoming countless rapids and waterfalls, the Nam Mo River continues to flow tirelessly, a testament to the close bond between the military and the people in the Muong Tip border region, and the unwavering friendship between Vietnam and Laos. That border, those border markers, are held firm thanks to these "markers" of military-civilian solidarity.

Nhat Le