The arduous task of marking the border.
(Baonghean) - These days, as the final tasks of the plan to reinforce and renovate the Vietnam-Laos national border marker system are nearing completion, we had the opportunity to meet and chat with the members of the Border Marker Demarcation Team - those who have made significant contributions to building a strong and unified national "border fence" system, not only for today's generation but also for future generations.
Team leader Lieutenant Colonel Phan Van Hong said: "Starting at the end of 2008, the team was established with a staff of 18 people. Although the demarcation team is a 'joint force' from the construction, finance, natural resources and environment, foreign affairs, and border guard sectors... over the past 5 years, the entire team has united to overcome difficulties to complete the sacred task entrusted by the State." He smiled gently as he recalled the early days of taking on his new "role": "As border guards seconded to the task of demarcation and boundary marking, we had to deal with completely unfamiliar tasks: from surveying and measuring to construction, and then negotiations... at first, we were quite bewildered."
Nghe An province has 419.5 km of border, with 105 locations marked by 116 national border markers and 6 boundary posts bordering three provinces of Laos: Hua Phan, Xieng Khouang, and Bolikhamsai. Identifying a location and constructing a border marker is no simple task. It requires patience, meticulousness, carefulness, scientific precision, and, most importantly, no mistakes can be made, as each border marker represents the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland.
Mr. Nguyen Cong Sach, Deputy Head of Technical Team 1 – a member of the Surveying and Mapping Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment – said: "In reinforcing and restoring border markers, the restoration work is simpler because we already have the old marker locations between us and our neighbor. However, determining the locations for reinforcing (placing new markers) is the more complex part. According to old documents and maps, the border was sometimes just a river or a mountain, mainly in high mountainous terrain and dense forests, making it very difficult to identify the border line on the ground. Over time, rain, wind, climate, and natural erosion have altered the markings, so agreeing on the marker placement can sometimes take months with multiple bilateral surveys. Then, modern technical equipment such as GPS devices, dual-frequency measuring instruments, maps, and treaties must be used to ensure absolute accuracy."
Mr. Hong recounted: "Each time the border demarcation teams of both Vietnam and Laos began construction, they meticulously surveyed, measured, and calculated everything precisely before laying the foundation. All the materials for building the markers were transported entirely by carrying them on their backs. Dozens of cubic meters of stone and sand, along with tons of cement, steel, and monolithic granite markers, were transported to the cleared site. After using machinery to carefully measure and align the markers, the team poured concrete to complete the final stage. The markers had to be placed in the exact designated position with absolute precision, under the supervision of both sides."
The boundary markers must be accurate to within a millimeter. On average, not including the time spent on surveys to determine the location, clearing paths, and positioning the markers, it takes more than three days from the start of construction to complete the marker placement. Kham Phoong Xi Bun Ma La, the team leader for boundary marker placement in Xieng Khouang province, Laos, shared: “The solidarity and friendship are strengthened with each boundary marker placed. We share all the hardships and difficulties in the mountains and forests. We stand side by side with our Vietnamese friends to fulfill the mission entrusted to us by our respective countries.”
Since the implementation of the work to renovate and reinforce the Vietnam-Laos border markers, the two border demarcation teams of Nghe An province (due to the need to accelerate the border demarcation process according to the plan, team number 2 was established in October 2010) have received active assistance from the Provincial Border Demarcation Steering Committee, agencies, units, localities, and especially the people. Each completed border marker represents an immeasurable amount of sweat and effort from the officers, soldiers, and the people.
Because the boundary markers are located in strategically important, high-altitude positions on mountaintops, transportation is extremely difficult and arduous (in some locations, travel is even by boat on the river). Just transporting one medium-sized boundary marker requires mobilizing 40-50 people.
Approximately 20 people were tasked with carrying the massive granite blocks on their shoulders, while about 10 others used ropes to secure the markers so they wouldn't slide down the slope. Coordinating such a large number of people in the hilly terrain was no easy feat. Furthermore, the process of moving and securing the markers required strict adherence to regulations, ensuring no damage, scratches, or chipping. However, through unity and cooperation, 116 border markers and 6 Vietnamese-Lao boundary posts along the Nghe An border with three provinces of Laos were successfully restored, reinforced, and completed on schedule.
Hung Phong