'The Blue Rose' in the border region of Nghe An

Law - Date posted: 09:55, 08/07/2024

Among the 197 exemplary and respected delegates honored at the "Pillars of the Village" program, jointly organized in Hanoi by the Communist Magazine, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Border Guard Command, there were 7 individuals wearing military uniforms, including one female professional soldier. That is Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh – the "blue rose" of the border region of Nghe An province.

08/07/2024

For the ethnic minority people in Mon Son commune (Con Cuong district) and Tam Hop commune (Tuong Duong district), "Border Guard O Thanh" has long become "one of the people of the village".

Nearly six years ago, while working at the Political Department of the Nghe An Border Guard Command, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh surprised many when she volunteered to work at Mon Son Border Guard Station (Con Cuong) - an area with 36.5 km of border and 7 border markers adjacent to Bolikhamsai province (Laos), where over 80% of the population are ethnic Thai people, the rest are Dan Lai people and a small number of Kinh people.

Trung tá Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh giúp nhân dân xã Môn Sơn, Con Cuông làm mùa — Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh assists the people of Mon Son commune (Con Cuong district) with their harvest. Photo: GH

At that time, many people expressed concern about whether the petite woman could survive in an area with high mountains, deep ravines, and difficult transportation. But then, the "green rose" of the border region soon adapted to the new environment, overcame language barriers, customs, and traditions, and integrated into the lives of the local people.

Chị Trần Thanh tham gia ngày hội đại đoàn kết cùng nhân dân bản Bắc Sơn xã Môn Sơn, Con Cuông, ảnh tư liệu — "Border Guard Officer Thanh" participates in the Great Unity Festival with the people of Bac Son village, Mon Son commune (Con Cuong). (Photo courtesy)

As a member of the community mobilization team, understanding and sharing the difficulties and hardships of the people, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh proactively advised the Party Committee and the Station Command to implement many solutions to help people develop their economy and stabilize their lives; at the same time, she acted as a "bridge" to call on charitable organizations and individuals to help poor households and people with difficult circumstances in the area.

On numerous occasions while on business trips, accompanying Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh to border villages, I've always seen "Border Guard Officer Thanh" creating close connections, bringing laughter, and winning the affection of village officials and residents.

Cán bộ Đồn Biên phòng Môn Sơn thăm gia đình chị La Thị Hà (ảnh trên) và La Thị Nguyệt. — Border Guard officers from Thanh Bien visit the family of Ms. La Thi Ha (pictured above) and Ms. La Thi Nguyet. Photo courtesy of HT.

For Mrs. La Thi Nguyet in Cua Rao village, Mon Son commune, "O Thanh" is not only a family member but also a "benefactor" who has supported and accompanied her family in overcoming poverty.

Thanks to "O Thanh" donating livestock and providing hands-on guidance on farming and animal husbandry, Mrs. Nguyet's family now has enough to eat and save, and has even been able to buy a rice milling machine to provide services.

Not only Mrs. Nguyet's family but also 7 other households, including 4 Dan Lai households in Mon Son commune, received direct assistance from "O Thanh" in developing their household economy through support in the form of livestock and plant seeds; guidance on animal husbandry and cultivation techniques... Thanks to this, the people have learned how to do business and continue to reinvest to build a long-term livelihood model.

Trung tá Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh chăm sóc học sinh Đan Lai tại Ký túc xá vùng biên Môn Sơn. anh tư liệu TC — Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh takes care of Dan Lai students at the Mon Son border dormitory. Photo courtesy of Thanh Chung.

For the Dan Lai students who used to live at the Mon Son Secondary School boarding facility, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh is like a second mother. Previously, Mon Son Secondary School faced many difficulties in encouraging Dan Lai ethnic minority students, especially those from the two villages of Bung and Co Phat in the core area of Pu Mat National Park, to attend school. This was partly because the students were accustomed to living in isolation and had little contact with the outside world; and partly because the distance from their homes to school was quite far (15-20 km through the forest), making travel difficult.

Nữ quân nhân biên phòng Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh như người mẹ thứ hai của học sinh Đan Lai tại mô hình %22 Ký túc xá vùng biên%22 ở trường THCS Môn Sơn, Con Cuông.Ảnh tư liệu — Female border guard officer Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh is like a second mother to Dan Lai, a student at the dormitory of Mon Son Secondary School (Con Cuong). (Photo: Archival image)

In light of this situation, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh advised on several collaborative activities between Mon Son Secondary School and Mon Son Border Guard Station in establishing and maintaining the "Accompanying Border Dormitories" model.

This is a boarding school for Dan Lai ethnic minority students aged 12 to 16 from the upstream Khe Khang stream. Being away from home for the first time to study in a new environment, many children still retain outdated habits and customs, frequently skipping school and returning home without coming back.

Chị Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh tặng quà cho các em nhỏ vùng cao — Ms. Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh presents gifts to children in the mountainous region. Photo: GH

Therefore, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh proactively approached, got close to, and directly talked with, taught, and guided the children, especially the girls, in life skills. This helped the students in Dan Lai change their perceptions and habits, and adopt a scientific and disciplined lifestyle.

Gradually, the children became more confident, outgoing, and open in communication, learned to greet people, studied independently, and practiced personal hygiene...

To further support the children in their studies and daily lives, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh mobilized and appealed to charitable organizations and individuals to donate nearly 1,000 boxes of instant noodles; hundreds of sets of clothes; books, notebooks, shoes, hair clips, shampoo; 2 televisions and many scholarships... worth nearly 400 million VND.

Chị Trần Thanh tặng dép cho trẻ em nghèo ở Môn Sơn — Ms. Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh donates sandals to poor children in Mon Son commune (Con Cuong district). Photo: GH

Thanks to this, the students in Dan Lai felt secure staying in the dormitory, no longer skipping classes to go out or dropping out to go home. Many of them have now gone to work far away, and occasionally call "Mother Thanh" for advice on career paths, jobs, and other life issues.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh's compassion for the people in disadvantaged areas is further demonstrated through her efforts with officers and soldiers of the Mon Son Border Guard Post to build a "Zero-Cost Shop," donating tons of clothes, books, and supplies free of charge to the people; directly soliciting support to build a house for Mr. Lo Van Huyen in Cang village worth over 75 million VND; supporting the construction of a water supply system for the Dan Lai people in Group 3, Cua Rao village worth over 65 million VND; and soliciting support to build a kindergarten in Lang Yen village worth 2 billion VND…

Trung tá Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh luôn quan tam đến sự học của trẻ em dân tộc thiểu số — Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh has always been concerned about the education of ethnic minority children. Photo: CSCC

During my work in the border areas of Mon Son (Con Cuong) in the past and Tam Hop (Tuong Duong) currently, I observed that women of the Dan Lai ethnic group and other ethnic groups such as Tay Poong, Thai, Mong, and Kho Mu... not only face economic difficulties but also encounter many obstacles in life due to limited access to social and legal knowledge.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh pays special attention to disseminating information about the Law on Marriage and Family; issues of child marriage and consanguineous marriage; the Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence; gender equality, etc., in order to raise awareness and skills among women from ethnic minority groups.

Trung tá Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh chụp ảnh cùng phụ nữ Môn Sơn — Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh poses for a photo with women from Mon Son commune (Con Cuong district).

She also advised the unit commander to coordinate with the Women's Association of Mon Son commune to establish and maintain the effective operation of 3 "Women participating in protecting national territorial sovereignty and border security" clubs in Bac Son, Nam Son and Yen villages, with 105 members.

Trung tá Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh tham gia sinh hoạt CLB Phụ nữ bảo vệ biên giới ở Môn Sơn. Ảnhkl — Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh participates in activities of the "Women Protecting the Border" Club in Mon Son commune (Con Cuong). Photo: GH

In early 2024, upon transferring to Tam Hop commune (Tuong Duong district) – an area with 25.724 km of border shared with Vieng Thong district, Bolikhamsai province (Laos) – Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh advised and coordinated with the Women's Union of Tam Hop commune to establish the "Women and the Law" Club in Huoi Son village; and through the "Accompanying Border Women" program, built a livelihood model to help female members of the Mong Pha Lom village improve their lives.

Trung tá Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh trao đổi với phụ nữ Mông ở xã Tam Hợp, Tương Dương — Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh converses with Mong women in Tam Hop commune (Tuong Duong district).

Speaking with us, two members who received goat breeds and guidance on raising goats, Ms. Vu Y Lau and Ms. Vu Y Gau, both expressed their gratitude for the attention of the women's associations at all levels, especially Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh, who supported the Mong women in overcoming poverty and building families that adhere to the "5 no's, 3 clean" principles.

Trung uý Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh hướng dẫn chị em người Mông ở bản Phá Lỏm xã Tam Hợp, Tương Dương ký kết tham gia mô hình sinh kế — Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh guides Mong women in Pha Lom village, Tam Hop commune (Tuong Duong district) in signing up to participate in a livelihood model.

Throughout her military career, especially during her time serving at border guard posts along the border, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh shared that she has always kept in mind President Ho Chi Minh's teachings to "respect the people, be close to the people, understand the people, learn from the people, and be responsible to the people."

Trung tá Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh tham gia chương trình tặng mô hình sinh kế %22 Đồng hành cùng phụ nữ biên cương%22 ở bản Phá Lỏm, xã Tam Hợp — Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh participates in the "Accompanying Border Women" livelihood model donation program for women in Pha Lo village, Tam Hop commune (Tuong Duong district). Photo: GH

Therefore, when interacting with village officials and local people, she and her colleagues always maintain an exemplary demeanor, speaking in a warm, sincere, simple, and easy-to-understand manner. In some cases, they even use the local dialect to conduct "people-oriented" work, helping the people to easily understand and apply the information.

Trung tá Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh — Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh, along with the Women's Union of Tam Hop commune (Tuong Duong district), presents gifts to underprivileged children. Photo: GH

For a woman with delicate hands and feet to choose a career in border guarding is already an act of courage, but to volunteer to go to border areas that are even more remote and difficult than before, like Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh, requires even more steely resolve.

Explaining her decision, the "blue rose" from the border region laughed heartily, "Because I'm the type of person who doesn't like choosing easy jobs."

Her strong character is inherited from her family tradition, especially from her beloved mother - a female police officer and Head of the Women's Committee of the Provincial Police.

Her husband and children were the "support system" for Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh during the period she was on duty fighting the Covid-19 pandemic in the border area. (Photo: KL)

In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh is fortunate to have a strong support system in the form of her husband and children's understanding and support. For nearly six years, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh volunteered to work on the border, and during that time, her husband, Pham Van Dao, who works at Vinh Urban Infrastructure Management and Development Joint Stock Company, stayed home to provide support.

Even when his wife volunteered to stay on duty during holidays or spent months on the front lines fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Dao and his children always supported and encouraged her. Thanks to their harmonious marriage, their children have all grown up to be well-behaved and successful. Their daughter graduated with a degree in Management Science from Hanoi National University, and their youngest son is in his second year at Vinh University.

Là cán bộ đội vận động quần chúng, chị Trần Thanh luôn có sự kết nối gần gũi với người dân — As a member of the community mobilization team, Ms. Tran Thanh always maintains a close connection with the people. Photo: GH

Occasionally, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh also receives visits from her husband, children, and family members who travel long distances to the unit to encourage and motivate her, helping her overcome difficulties and hardships, stay close to the people and villages, and provide timely advice to the team and the unit's Command Board to effectively carry out the task of building a strong people's defense posture and strengthening the all-people border defense system.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh (far left) receives a Certificate of Commendation from the Border Guard Command for her outstanding achievements in the 5-year implementation of the National Border Guard Day from 2019-2024. Photo: GH

Besides her skillful mass mobilization work, as a border guard party member working in border areas, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh pays special attention to strengthening the grassroots political system. She regularly advises and exchanges ideas on party work with the Party branches of Bac Son, Thai Son 2, Nam Son, Tan Son, Tan Hoa (Mon Son commune, Con Cuong district) and the Party branch of Pha Lom village, Tam Hop commune (Tuong Duong district).

At the same time, through good relationships with village officials and the people, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh was able to promptly grasp the situation in the assigned area, advising the unit to coordinate with the local Party committee and government to develop solutions and resolve issues.

To date, she has directly received 25 accurate tips from citizens, which she has used to report and advise the unit's command on arresting one case/one individual for illegal activities of the "Church of God the Mother," two gambling cases/eight individuals, and five cases of electrocution/five individuals…

Là cán bộ đội vận động quần chúng, chị Trần Thanh luôn có sự kết nối gần gũi với người dân2 — As a member of the community mobilization team, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh always maintains a close connection with the people. Photo: GH

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Cam, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of the Nghe An Border Guard Command, said: Comrade Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh is the first female officer of the Nghe An Border Guard Command to volunteer to work in border areas and has excellently completed all assigned tasks.

Following the pioneering example of Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh, the entire Nghe An border guard force now has 18 female soldiers serving at border guard posts along the province's two border lines.

Chủ tịch nước Tô Lâm gặp mặt, tặng quà cho các đại biểu tham gia Chương trình điểm tựa của bản làng. ( Trong ảnh là Trung Tá Nguyễn Thị Trần Thanh nhận quà từ Chủ tịch nước) — President To Lam met with and presented gifts to delegates participating in the "Support for Villages" program. (In the photo, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh receives a gift from the President). Photo: Hai Thuong.

Having spent nearly six years stationed at the border, despite the hardships and pressures, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh has also found many unforgettable memories of camaraderie and the close relationship between the military and the people in the border region.

Through practical experience working closely with the people and staying in the villages, the female soldiers of the border guard force have come to understand and cherish even more the loyal and close bond of "the outpost is our home, the border is our homeland, and the people of all ethnic groups are our brothers and sisters."

Chủ tịch nước Tô Lâm chụp ảnh lưu niệm với đại biểu tham dự chương trình Điểm tựa bản làng ( Trung Tá Trần Thị Thanh mặc quân phục biên phòng đứng hàng sau) — President To Lam poses for a commemorative photo with delegates attending the "Support for Villages" program. (Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh, wearing her border guard uniform, is the fifth person in the back row.)

"
With her tireless efforts and dedication, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh has been a model soldier for many consecutive years; she has received commendations from the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Border Guard Command; she is a typical example from Nghe An province, receiving a commendation from the Prime Minister in the five-year review of the implementation of Directive No. 05-CT/TW of the Politburo of the 12th Party Congress on "Promoting the study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality, and style"; and she was selected to participate in the exchange program "Ho Chi Minh - A Journey of Aspiration".
In 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Tran Thanh was one of 197 exemplary and respected delegates from 42 border and island provinces and cities nationwide honored in the second "Support for Villages" program, jointly organized by the Communist Magazine, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and the Border Guard Command in Hanoi. She was also honored as one of 64 outstanding delegates in the Emulation Congress of the Nghe An Provincial Border Guard for the period 2019-2024.

Khanh Ly