Strengthening crime prevention and control, protecting border security
The period before, during and after the Lunar New Year is the time when the crime situation in the border area becomes complicated. Therefore, the Border Guard force on the border has increased coordination in patrolling, controlling, closely following the area; promptly detecting and fighting against criminals.
Strengthen patrol and control
At the Nam Can International Border Gate (Ky Son), the number of people and vehicles entering and exiting the country, and imported and exported goods increased during the Tet holiday. On the other hand, the rugged mountainous terrain, many trails, openings, and the Nam Mo River running along the border... are favorable conditions for illegal entry and exit activities.
Faced with that situation, the Nam Can International Border Guard Station has proactively coordinated with functional forces to strengthen border control, protection and crime prevention during the peak period before, during and after the Lunar New Year. Thereby, many violations have been promptly detected and handled.
Typically, at Tien Tieu village, Nam Can International Border Guard Station discovered 3 foreign citizens with signs of being involved in illegal entry and exit. Through inspection and working with relevant agencies, on December 3, 2024, Nam Can International Border Guard Station initiated a criminal case against 1 subject for organizing illegal entry and exit into Vietnam; at the same time, handed over 3 other subjects to units under the Provincial Police for handling according to the provisions of law.
Major Le Anh Cuong - Deputy Chief of Operations at Nam Can International Border Guard Station said: In 2024, the unit discovered 24 cases/38 subjects with illegal entry and exit; 35 cases/48 subjects entering the country without presenting passports or travel documents.
In addition to illegal entry and exit, the time before Tet is also the time when illegal firecracker trading and transportation activities increase due to high demand and profits. Criminals often use sophisticated tricks to bypass authorities such as mixing them with goods, hiding them in luggage, cabins, under vehicles or hiring people to transport them across the border...
To combat this type of crime, the Nam Can International Border Guard Station has opened a file to closely monitor suspected subjects operating in transnational smuggling rings, taking advantage of export, import, temporary import for re-export, and transit to trade and transport firecrackers across the border; closely coordinating with the forces of the Nam Can International Border Gate Customs Branch, the Ky Son District Police and the authorities of the two communes of Nam Can and Ta Ca, Ky Son District to organize patrols, controls, and blockades at routes that are likely to carry and illegally transport goods and firecrackers across the border...
Typically, on December 6, the Nam Can International Border Guard Station; Drug and Crime Prevention Department (Nghe An Border Guard) coordinated with the Nam Can International Border Gate Customs Branch; Ky Son District Police discovered and arrested Nguyen Van Thai (born in 1993), residing in Nghi Tan Ward, Vinh City - a passenger on a Lao-licensed car traveling from Vinh City to Xieng Khouang (Laos), for "Illegal possession of explosive fireworks". The seized evidence was more than 30 kg of fireworks.
During the investigation, Nguyen Van Thai confessed that the above evidence was fireworks produced in Thailand, which he bought from a foreign man for 4 million Lao Kip to use.
In other localities, in addition to propaganda work and raising awareness for people, Border Guard units also deployed many synchronous and drastic measures to prevent violations of the law on fireworks. Although there were times when foreigners took advantage of the darkness to transport fireworks from across the border into Vietnam for consumption, they were promptly detected by the authorities.
Typically, on the evening of December 3, 2024, Thong Thu Border Guard Station, Drug and Crime Prevention Department (Nghe An Border Guard) coordinated with Thong Thu Commune Police, Que Phong District to catch Cong Va (born in 1989), residing in Nam Tay village, Vieng Phan village cluster, Sam To district, Hua Phan province (Laos) in the act of transporting explosive fireworks across the border. The seized evidence included 12 boxes of explosive fireworks weighing about 17.9 kg. Cong Va confessed to transporting explosive fireworks across the border for hire for a fee.
Then, on December 19, 2024, at the Visai International Port gate area, the Cua Lo - Ben Thuy Port Border Guard Station and the functional forces discovered Trinh Ngoc Son residing in Le Mao ward, Vinh city, possessing 2 boxes of firecrackers (100 pieces/box), weighing 12 kg.
According to the authorities, from now until Lunar New Year, criminal activities, including the trading and transporting of firecrackers across the border (both by land and sea), will continue to be complicated.
Tighten border security
For the Border Guard force, the period before, during and after Tet is the time to focus on strengthening the task of protecting security and safety of border lines and landmarks.
That hardship and sacrifice were felt more clearly when we accompanied the Muong Ai Border Guard Station (Ky Son) to participate in border patrol activities in the bitter cold of the last day of the year.
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The destination was marker 415 in Mong Ai Khe village, bordering Vietnam - Laos. Introduced as the closest marker under the management of this unit, but from the center of the station, we had to follow the border patrol route for about 20 km, then march down the mountain road for about 3-4 km more to reach the sovereignty marker of the Fatherland.
Captain Duong Ngoc Manh Tien - Deputy Political Commissar of Muong Ai Border Guard Station said: The station is responsible for managing and protecting 51.999 km of border line, 9 national border markers; 5 pairs of markers; managing the area of 2 border communes Muong Tip and Muong Ai, adjacent to Muong Moc district, Noong Het district, Xieng Khouang province (Laos).
To carry out the peak period of ensuring security and order before, during and after the Lunar New Year, the unit has developed a plan and coordinated with local militia and police forces to deploy closed patrol teams from markers 410-418; at the same time, regularly stick to the border area to check people and vehicles to prevent illegal entry and exit and prevent and combat crimes.
The green-uniformed soldiers of Muong Ai Border Guard Station also shared that the difficulties and hardships in patrolling the border markers of the unit are nothing compared to the patrol routes in some other areas such as Mon Son (Con Cuong), or Tam Quang (Tuong Duong). Because each trip to patrol the border and markers of the Border Guard soldiers in these areas sometimes lasts 8-10 days with steep and rugged mountainous terrain, harsh climate and many lurking dangers.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Cam - Deputy Chief of Politics (Nghe An Border Guard): In 2024, units under Nghe An Border Guard organized 95 unilateral patrols, 10 bilateral patrols with border protection forces adjacent to Laos; 481 patrols and controls at river mouths, estuaries and at sea; 49,683 vehicles and 241,813 workers were inspected and controlled at river mouths and estuaries.
During the 2025 New Year, many units also organized patrols to promptly detect violations of border regulations and protect border security and safety. Typically, My Ly Border Guard Station (Ky Son) coordinated with Border Guard Company 217 - Military Command of Hua Phan Province (Laos) to organize bilateral patrols from marker 395 to marker 396 of the Vietnam - Laos border.
In addition to checking border signs and the border marker system, the two sides also exchanged information on border management and protection, maintaining political security, order and social safety in the border areas on both sides during the Lunar New Year.
To ensure peace for people to enjoy Tet and welcome Spring, “Nghe An Border Guard Command has developed a plan and launched a peak period of fighting against crime, smuggling, and trade fraud before, during, and after the Lunar New Year 2025; synchronously deploying professional measures to resolutely fight and suppress crime, prevent illegal entry and exit activities, and protect territorial sovereignty…”, said Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Cam.
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