Youthful energy at Hanh Dich Border Guard Station

(Baonghean)For many years, the green uniforms of border guards have become familiar and close to the challenging border areas of Nghe An province. Visiting Hanh Dich Border Guard Post (Que Phong) in late spring, one realizes even more reasons for this affection: it is thanks to their heroic yet silent achievements, their shared hardships, and their "three together" principles with the people.

Officers and soldiers of Hanh Dich Border Guard Post help local people build roads.

With the task of managing and protecting 20.5 km of border with Laos and being in charge of 19 villages in the two communes of Hanh Dich and Nam Giai, the soldiers at Hanh Dich Border Guard Post are planning for a series of possible scenarios because this is the "season" for transporting drugs, cannabis, and other prohibited goods into Vietnam. Therefore, when visiting the post at this time, it is difficult to meet all the officers and soldiers, especially the young ones, because "most of them have been deployed to set up checkpoints at the grassroots level, closely monitoring the area to keep track of even the smallest movements of the suspects," shared Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Hai, Political Officer of Hanh Dich Border Guard Post.

Lieutenant Colonel Hai added: “Thanks to the efforts of the border guards, especially emphasizing the pioneering role of the young, elite force, it can now be affirmed that there is no longer any encroachment, re-cultivation of opium poppies, or illegal migration in the area under the border post's management. The base and network of informants serving the work of ensuring security and social order are increasingly consolidated and strengthened. The relationship between the border guards and the local people is becoming closer. Now, when we go down to the villages and visit any house, the people welcome the border guards as if they were their own children, grandchildren, or relatives!”

First Lieutenant Dang Quoc Khanh, Deputy Head of the Anti-Drug Crime Team, is an outstanding young officer, becoming a role model for the Nghe An Border Guard. A day for this young soldier begins with a quiet journey into the field, diligently carrying out dangerous tasks, with no idea what time it will end! He voluntarily and proudly wears his green military uniform, but due to the unique nature of his work, that uniform only accompanies him to briefings and formal events. The rest of the time, he is one of countless ordinary people in the remote mountains, facilitating his search for and apprehension of criminals.

For many years, he and his comrades participated in the fight against crime, arresting dozens of cases and hundreds of suspects along with many important pieces of evidence, contributing to maintaining peace along the border of the Fatherland. He bears numerous wounds from the course of his duties. At the end of 2013, on a dark and freezing night in an ambush deep in the forest, Lieutenant Dang Quoc Khanh was met with fierce resistance from heroin traffickers, but he remained steadfast in protecting the evidence and used martial arts to subdue them. In the end, the two main suspects in the drug ring were arrested, 780g of heroin was destroyed, and Lieutenant Khanh sustained an additional 30% injury, a silent but inevitable consequence of his heroic deeds.

With his achievements, in mid-March 2014, this brave border guard was honored as one of the 10 "Outstanding Young Vietnamese of 2013". Speaking about him, Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Hai could not hide his joy and pride: "Along with many titles, certificates of merit, and commendations from various levels, Senior Lieutenant Dang Quoc Khanh was promoted ahead of schedule by his superiors. This is a well-deserved reward, showing the concern and recognition of the leadership for the silent contributions of our fellow soldiers. Comrade Khanh's family back home still faces many difficulties, but overcoming all obstacles, he remains steadfast in fulfilling the duties entrusted to him by the Fatherland."

Not only brave and resourceful in combat, the young officers and soldiers of Hanh Dich Border Guard Post have also left many impressions of dedication, dynamism, and creativity in participating in the New Rural Development program with the local people. The post has established a community mobilization task force, whose key members are outstanding youth union members. Besides encouraging people to comply with the Party and State's policies and laws, they also effectively and actively participate in community activities. Currently, the unit is coordinating efforts to develop Pa Kim village – one of 11 villages in Hanh Dich commune – into a model village in terms of culture, economy, and social development.

Following Lieutenant Nguyen Van Hoi, the team leader of the community mobilization team at Hanh Dich Border Guard Post, we arrived at Pa Kim village on a smooth, newly paved road. Located right behind Hanh Dich Border Guard Post, Pa Kim village, from afar, looks like a horse's back undulating with its stilt houses weathered by time. A purely Thai village, Pa Kim has been peaceful for generations with its friendly, simple people, only persistently plagued by hunger and poverty. The difficulties in Pa Kim lie in the poor road connections to other villages and the lack of distinctive, breakthrough economic development. After numerous discussions with the commune's People's Committee and with the consensus of the people, the officers and soldiers of Hanh Dich Border Guard Post, with the pioneering, creative, and decisive spirit of youth, directly visited each family to record the thoughts and aspirations of the 39 households in the village.

And then, in the early days of 2014, the winding, bumpy road full of potholes leading to Pà Kỉm was given a new look. With improved transportation, the people of Pà Kỉm felt renewed confidence and enthusiasm for other household economic projects implemented jointly by the commune People's Committee and the Border Guard Post. Lieutenant Nguyen Van Hoi shared: “Currently, many households in the village have implemented the black pig farming model using funds from the New Rural Development program, initially yielding promising income. Most recently, the border guard officers, in collaboration with the local government, have been promoting and implementing a rattan planting model. If the plants thrive and yield high harvests, they will open vocational training classes in rattan weaving for export, providing employment for the villagers.” Party branch secretary Le Van Dai led us to visit the black pig farming model of Youth Union member Vi Van Nam (1981). In 2013, with the encouragement and support of officers and soldiers of the Hanh Dich Border Guard Station, Nam participated in a black pig farming project. Starting with 2 piglets, thanks to proper care and techniques, the herd has developed well and now numbers over 20.

It's worth noting that throughout these arduous journeys of establishing their careers, the presence of young soldiers has always been felt, shoulder to shoulder, primarily due to the shared spirit of youth and, importantly, their unwavering belief in the future and the good things in life. Lieutenant Nguyen Van Hoi shared: "Most of the officers and soldiers at the border guard post are of the age to participate in the Youth Union, and their spirit is always one of enthusiasm, strength, and dedication. Whatever they can do for the local people, to help their villages overcome difficulties and develop, they are always willing to do it."

Phuong Chi