Warm spring on the border

Steadfast on the front line

We arrived at the border commune of My Ly (Ky Son) on the days before the Lunar New Year. In the bitter cold, along the border, white reeds, bright yellow wild sunflowers and light peach buds were blooming and swaying in the spring breeze. Visiting the Border Control Station located about 1 km from Xang Tren village, despite many difficulties in terms of facilities, especially roads, the officers and soldiers at the Station were determined to complete their tasks.

Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Xuan Thanh is performing the task of completing border crossing procedures for people. Photo: Hai Thuong

After 30 years of wearing the green uniform, Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Xuan Thanh, from Quynh Luu district, cannot remember how many times he has celebrated Tet away from home. After 2 years of celebrating Tet at the post, this year he shared that he is "still ready to be on duty during Tet so that everyone can have a peaceful and happy Spring".

My Ly Border Guard Station is located in a remote border commune of Ky Son district, with a land border of 46.28 km (including 20 km of road and 26.28 km of river), 9 border markers. This is home to 3 ethnic groups: Thai, Mong, Kho Mu, with a total population of 1,214 households/5,586 people. The terrain is rugged and complex, the climate is harsh, and the poverty rate is high. Every year during Tet, My Ly Border Guard Station has 50 soldiers on duty.

Tet is coming, Spring is coming, officers and soldiers of My Ly Border Guard Station (Nghe An Border Guard) are still firmly holding the front line. Photo: CSCC

Lieutenant Colonel Hoang The Tai - Political Commissar of My Ly Border Post said: We are happy for Spring but do not forget our duties. In addition to the number of soldiers on duty at the post, there are also those who stay at key groups such as Nhot Lot (Nhot Lot village), Xang Tren Control Station, Military-Civilian Medical Station in Huoi Bac, working group in Bac Ly commune and the furthest is the Border Post at marker 390.

The checkpoint was established in 2017. To reach the checkpoint, one must walk through 4 mountains. For healthy people and dry roads, it takes 5 hours of walking and climbing to get there. With an altitude of about 1,800m above sea level, the checkpoint is responsible for protecting nearly 10km of border, including landmarks 389, 390, 391 and 392. Here, clouds cover all year round, there is no phone signal, there is a solar power system for lighting, but due to the fog, the soldiers here have to be very frugal to have enough.

Captain Nguyen Canh Ba, from Thanh Chuong district - Head of border marker 390 shared: Although we carry out our duties in a remote border area, we border guards always receive encouragement and sharing from all levels, sectors, the people and superiors, helping us to always feel secure in completing our duties and firmly protecting the sovereignty and security of the border.

The delegation of the Provincial Women's Union and the Provincial Border Guard Command visited and encouraged officers and soldiers of Checkpoint 390. Photo: Hai Thuong

“Except for being away from family and relatives, Tet for officers and soldiers at the border is also full and cozy. Vegetables are grown by themselves, pigs and chickens are raised by themselves, on the 28th and 29th of Tet, the unit organizes for the brothers to slaughter pork and make banh chung. On the evening of the 30th, the station usually organizes a New Year's Eve celebration in the unit's yard, inviting officers and people to celebrate Spring with officers and soldiers. The following days, they will spend time visiting village elders, village chiefs, and prestigious people to wish them a happy New Year," said Lieutenant Colonel Hoang The Tai.

Leaving My Ly, we arrived at Huoi Khe Border Control Station, belonging to Muong Ai Border Post. On the days before Tet, the station was covered in fog and cold, the fire was always red, both to warm and dry the clothes of officers and soldiers returning from patrolling the border and landmarks.

Officers and soldiers of Huoi Khe Border Guard Station prepare to wrap Chung cakes to celebrate Tet. Photo: Hai Thuong

According to Captain Hoang Ngoc Binh - Deputy Political Commissar of Muong Ai Border Guard Station: Huoi Khe Station has the task of patrolling, controlling and protecting the border area from Landmark 415 to Landmark 419 on the Vietnam - Laos border, controlling the area, grasping the situation and mobilizing people in the residential area of ​​Ai Khe, Tham Khop in Huoi Khe village, Muong Ai commune, Ky Son district to comply with the Party's guidelines, policies, laws of the State and regulations of the border area.

Besides, it is necessary to do a good job of exchanging information and situation with the functional forces of Laos on the outskirts of Xam Che village cluster, Xieng Khouang province, to protect the border security of each side.

Huoi Khe Border Guard Station celebrates Tet early so officers and soldiers can carry out their duties. Photo: Hai Thuong

Before the Lunar New Year of Quy Mao, with the support and assistance of the "For Vietnamese Stature" Fund and Bac A Bank, Huoi Khe Station was equipped with a 3KW solar battery set, providing electricity for lighting, contributing to reducing difficulties for officers and soldiers here.

Lieutenant Colonel Duong Van Vinh - Head of the Administrative Staff and General Planning Team, Muong Ai Border Guard Station, from Thai Binh province, volunteered to be on duty during Tet at Huoi Khe Station this year. He shared: Having worked for nearly 30 years in the Border Guard force, this year I am again away from my family. Although there are moments of homesickness, we always identify the responsibilities and obligations of border guards at the border to ensure security for people to enjoy Tet and welcome Spring.

Although not full, border guards at border stations and checkpoints have prepared enough flavors for Tet. Photo: KL

At some checkpoints, although there is a slight disadvantage because there is no phone signal, on New Year's Eve, the soldiers in green uniforms at the checkpoints find it difficult to contact or receive New Year's greetings from their families and relatives, but in return, during the coming New Year and Spring, they receive encouragement, warm and sincere visits from the people on both sides of the border, and even Lao soldiers come to wish them a Happy New Year.

Happy Spring, celebrating Tet but the soldiers do not neglect their duties for a moment, the days before and after Tet, in the cold wind, officers and soldiers still organize patrols to ensure security in the border area, to ensure that people have a safe and warm Tet.

So that everyone and every family can celebrate Tet peacefully, soldiers at the border still patrol to protect the peaceful border. Photo: Hai Thuong

At Nhon Mai Border Guard Station (Tuong Duong), on the 28th of Tet, Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Hong - Station Chief still worked side by side with the commune militia, border self-management teams, and border markers to patrol to ensure border security and local safety so that people can enjoy Tet and welcome Spring with peace of mind.

In addition, officers and soldiers at the checkpoints in Pieng Cooc, Huoi Co, Tham Tham, Khe Ben... also always clearly identify their responsibilities, overcome difficulties in living conditions, harsh climate, and firmly hold their guns to protect the border during the coming Tet and Spring.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Hong - Chief of Nhon Mai Border Guard Station talks with people on patrol. Photo: CSCC

At Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station (Thanh Chuong), the task is to manage and protect a 6,595 km long border, 4 landmarks, including 2 markers. In the days leading up to Lunar New Year, the border guards still silently patrol and control to carry out the task of keeping the border peaceful.

Thanh Chuong district leaders visited and extended New Year greetings to Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station. Photo: CSCC

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Tu - Political Commissar of Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station said: To carry out the peak period of ensuring security and order before, during and after the Lunar New Year of Quy Mao 2023, the unit has developed a plan and implemented well the patrol and control work in the area and border areas.

Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station coordinates with police and militia forces to patrol the border and landmarks. Photo: CSCC

In addition to strictly managing people and vehicles entering and leaving the border area, the unit also assigned officers and soldiers to coordinate with the Thanh Thuy Commune Police and Military forces to patrol, prevent and combat all types of crimes, protect safety in the area, and create favorable conditions for people to enjoy the Spring Festival and celebrate Tet.

Thanh Thuy Border Guard Station exchanges with Lao authorities to ensure border security. Photo: CSCC

In addition, coordinate with local Party committees and authorities to do a good job of mass mobilization, organize for cadres and soldiers to celebrate Tet and welcome Spring with the people in the area with the motto of solidarity, safety and savings.

Warm hearted locals

In the warm and peaceful atmosphere of the coming Tet and Spring, we also heard the Mong, Thai, Kho Mu, Dan Lai people... tell stories about the "satisfying" work of the Border Guard for the people in the border areas. For example, in the area of ​​My Ly and Bac Ly communes (Ky Son), along with hand-holding and guidance in labor and production, many other social security activities for the people were also effectively maintained by the officers and soldiers of My Ly Border Guard Station.

Notably, the first charity house model "Whoever needs it, come and take it, whoever has it, share it" was put into operation in Nghe An Border Guard force, becoming a charity address to support free clothes, books, materials... for people and students in the area.

Officers of My Ly Border Guard Station guide students to search for information online. Photo: Khanh Ly

In particular, in 2022, the Station put into operation the new model of "information technology connection room to villages" and "free friendly barbershop" to serve the people, which was recognized and highly appreciated.

Mr. Cut Van Long - Chairman of Bac Ly Commune People's Committee said: "Bac Ly Commune has 13 villages with a population of 944 households/4,925 people, with Kinh, Thai, Kho Mu and Mong ethnic groups living together. Understanding and sharing the difficulties of the people, in recent times, officers and soldiers of My Ly Border Guard Station have always implemented "3 sticking, 4 together", accompanying the Party Committee, government and people through practical programs and activities contributing to hunger eradication, poverty reduction, and new rural construction. The local Party Committee and government are very grateful for the practical work of the green-uniformed soldiers. They not only protect the border but also help the locality consolidate the political system, develop the socio-economy, and bring peace to the people and the area".

Officers of My Ly Border Guard Station give free haircuts to people. Photo: KL

Or in the two villages of Bung and Co Phat - villages of the Dan Lai ethnic group in the Pu Mat forest of Mon Son commune (Con Cuong), people also mention the soldiers in green uniforms as the "support" of the village. Meeting Mr. La Van Linh with students and some villagers gathering to wrap Chung cakes to celebrate Tet with officers and soldiers of Khe Khang Border Guard Station in a small yard. Mr. Linh excitedly said: Thanks to the border guards at the station and the village checkpoint team, propagating and mobilizing people to build economic models to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty (growing green vegetables, growing rice, developing livestock...), the lives of the Dan Lai people have changed a lot. In particular, thanks to the help of temporary border guard party members, this year, the Party Cells of Bung and Co Phat villages have both admitted 3 new party members, making them even more excited and joyful...

Residents and students of Co Phat village, Mon Son commune, wrap banh chung to celebrate the New Year with officers of Khe Khang Border Control Station. Photo: KL

Welcoming the Spring of Quy Mao 2023, the Nghe An Border Guard Command coordinated with the Nghe An Provincial Fatherland Front Committee to organize the program "Border Spring - Warming the hearts of the villagers" in Xang Tren village, My Ly commune (Ky Son) and Nhon Mai village, Nhon Mai commune (Tuong Duong) with cultural and artistic activities, banh chung wrapping and cooking contest, folk games such as tug of war, stick pushing, crossbow shooting, and throwing con...

People of Nhon Mai village, Nhon Mai commune participate in fun activities in the program "Spring on the border - Warming the hearts of the villagers". Photo: Thanh Cuong

On this occasion, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu presented more than 3.6 billion VND to the "For the Poor" Fund in Ky Son district and more than 1.3 billion VND to support poor households in Tuong Duong district to celebrate Tet. The Organizing Committee presented 6 "Great Solidarity" houses worth 300 million VND; a model of goat breeding worth 70 million VND; presented 1,310 Tet gifts to policy beneficiaries, poor households, prestigious people, and poor students overcoming difficulties in the program "Helping children go to school - Adopted children of Border Guard Station".

This not only demonstrates the nation's morality of mutual love and support, but is also an activity to express gratitude to the ethnic people in the area who have stood side by side with the Border Guard and local Party committees and authorities to perform well the task of protecting national border sovereignty.

Representing the provincial working delegation, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu presented support for building gratitude houses to disadvantaged households in Nhon Mai commune. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In a series of activities to care for the poor during Tet in border areas, some border posts have also organized activities to join hands with local authorities to care for poor households to have a warmer and more complete Lunar New Year.

Nhon Mai Border Guard Station coordinated with local authorities to organize the giving of 128 gifts (each worth 500,000 VND) to poor and near-poor households in Huoi Co, Tham Tham, Pieng Cooc and Pha Khao villages (Mai Son commune).

Nhon Mai Border Guard Station (Tuong Duong) visited and wished people in the border area a Happy New Year. Photo: CSCC

In addition, the program also awarded 9 gifts to prestigious people in Mai Son commune; the management board of the villages and border protection posts. Stationed in the border area, where people's lives still face many difficulties and customs and practices are still backward, in recent years, officers and soldiers of Nhon Mai Border Guard Station have persistently "held hands and guided" people to change their way of thinking and working to develop the economy and build a new cultural lifestyle.

The highlight is the construction and implementation of a combined military-civilian livelihood model in key groups, guiding people to raise goats, breeding cows, fattening cows, and caged fish. “This Tet, our family is happier and more prosperous thanks to the border guards. The officers gave us breeding animals, guided us on science and technology, and shared experiences to develop livestock farming. Now we have 20 goats, 2 cages, and several hundred kilograms of fish…” - Mr. Lo Van Toan in Nhon Mai village, one of the households selected to implement the model, excitedly said.

Border Guard and other forces along with local authorities wrap banh chung to prepare for Tet for people in the flooded area of ​​Ta Ca. Photo: Hai Thuong

Going to the border areas during the Tet holiday, we not only witness the silent sacrifices of soldiers on the front lines for a peaceful spring, but also feel the deep love between the army and the people and the joy of a new life that is clearly shown in every change in the lives of ethnic minorities in the border areas.