Rice grains carry heavy meaning

(Baonghean) -In early September, I was fortunate to join a working group from Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station (Nghe An Border Guard) to distribute rice to villages in Xay Cham Phon District (Polykhamxay Province, Lao PDR). The trip was arduous but truly meaningful.

Starting from Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station, the bulky U Ran truck took us on our journey to the neighboring country. Passing Thanh Thuy Border Gate (Thanh Chuong) - Nam On (Xay Cham Phon) is also the beginning of a rough and winding dirt road. This road is being under construction by the neighboring country and was devastated by the recent storm and flood, making it rough and bumpy. On the way, Lieutenant Colonel Vu Truong Nam (Deputy Chief of Thanh Thuy Station, head of the working group) told me: Recently, some localities of the neighboring country were also affected by storm and flood No. 3, crops failed, many households suffered from hunger. To help the people of Xay Cham Phon border district overcome difficulties and quickly stabilize their lives, the leaders of Thanh Chuong district decided to support the neighboring district with 5 tons of rice and authorized the Thanh Thuy border guard station to organize forces and means of transport to safely deliver the above amount of rice to the people of Xay Cham Phon.

Prepare rice to distribute to Laos


Rice delivery procedures


People's joy when receiving rice.

Having crossed many high mountains and deep streams, it is difficult to describe all the hardships and obstacles that the group had to go through. With a distance of just over 20 km, it took more than half a day for the U Ran to stop at the first village when it was already dark. That night, under the lights of the small hydroelectric plant, Xop Tong village was as happy as a festival when welcoming the Vietnamese brothers with sincere and open feelings. In addition to the people in the village, there were also comrade U Dom (Chairman of the District Fatherland Front) and Xay Co (Chief of the District Office). The next morning, the people in the village gathered in full force for the group to hand over rice to the neighboring district. In front of the wooden house next to the road, ignoring diplomatic ceremonies, the handover procedure was carried out very quickly in the spirit of comradeship and brotherhood. Comrade U Dom was moved to tears, holding Lieutenant Colonel Vu Truong Nam's hands and shaking them. The district had also prepared a plan to divide 800 kg of rice for Xop Tong village. Receiving the bag of rice in hand, Xan Di emotionally said: on behalf of the villagers, I don't know what to say, I can only thank you very much, my brothers.

Although we still had lingering feelings for the villagers, we had to quickly set off on our journey to other villages. All day long, the leaders of Xay Cham Phon district accompanied the group to Phon Kham, Vang Ban villages, and the final stop was Nam On. A friend had sent someone to go ahead and prepare, so at these points everything happened quickly and smoothly. As soon as the car arrived, there were young people from the village ready to help with the loading, and the mothers enthusiastically poured water to invite the group members. Although the sun was strong and the road was difficult, the sincere feelings quickly dispelled the hardships of the long journey.

The day of return has come, the people of Nam On village, comrades U Dom and Xay Co reluctantly bid farewell to the Vietnamese brothers who were ready to give rice and clothes to help the people of the neighboring country overcome the current difficulties. Although the amount of rice given to the neighboring country is not much, it carries the deep feelings and hearts of the people of Thanh Chuong district for the people of the border district who are facing difficulties. At the same time, it strengthens and consolidates the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between the localities sharing the border in particular.

Personally, I had a memorable trip and witnessed the most mentioned word throughout the journey: Vietnam - Laos Xamakhi!

Le Thach