Warm Spring on the Border

Standing firm on the front lines

We arrived in My Ly border commune (Ky Son district) during the days leading up to the Lunar New Year. In the crisp cold, along the border, white reeds, vibrant yellow wild sunflowers, and delicate peach blossoms gently swayed in the spring breeze. Visiting the Border Guard Control Station located about 1 km from Xang Tren village, we observed that despite many difficulties in infrastructure, especially transportation, the officers and soldiers at the station remained determined to fulfill their duties.

Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Xuan Thanh is performing his duty of processing border crossing procedures for citizens. Photo: Hai Thuong

Having worn the military uniform for 30 years, Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Xuan Thanh, originally from Quynh Luu district, can't remember how many times he's celebrated Tet away from home. After two years of celebrating Tet at a military outpost, this year he shared, "I'm still ready to be on duty during Tet so everyone can enjoy a peaceful and joyful Spring."

The My Ly Border Guard Post 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) and 9 border markers. It is home to three ethnic groups: Thai, Mong, and Khmu, 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 Tet holiday, the My Ly Border Guard Post has 50 personnel on duty.

As Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, officers and soldiers of My Ly Border Guard Post (Nghe An Border Guard Command) remain steadfastly stationed on the front lines. Photo: Provided by the Border Guard.

Lieutenant Colonel Hoang The Tai, Political Officer of My Ly Border Guard Station, said: "While enjoying the Lunar New Year, the soldiers haven't forgotten their duties. Besides the personnel on duty at the station, there are also those stationed at checkpoints such as Nhot Lot (Nhot Lot village), Xang Tren Control Station, the military-civilian medical station in Huoi Bac, the task force in Bac Ly commune, and furthest of all, the Border Guard checkpoint at marker 390."

The outpost was established in 2017. To reach it, one must walk across four mountains; even with good health and dry terrain, it takes 5 hours of hiking and climbing. Located at an altitude of approximately 1,800 meters above sea level, the outpost is responsible for protecting nearly 10 kilometers of border, including border markers 389, 390, 391, and 392. The area is covered in fog year-round, with no phone signal. While a solar power system is available, the soldiers stationed here have to be very frugal to make ends meet.

Captain Nguyen Canh Ba, a native of Thanh Chuong district and the commander of Border Marker 390, shared: "Although we perform our duties in a remote border area, we border guards always receive encouragement and support from all levels and sectors, from the local people, and from our superiors, which helps us to always feel secure in fulfilling our duties and firmly protecting the sovereignty and security of the border."

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

“Apart from being away from family and loved ones, the Tet holiday for officers and soldiers at the border is also fulfilling and warm. They grow their own vegetables, raise their own pigs and chickens, and on the 28th and 29th of Tet, the unit organizes a pig slaughtering and banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cake) making session. On the evening of the 30th, the outpost usually holds a New Year's Eve celebration in the unit's courtyard, inviting officers and people to celebrate the Spring Festival with the officers and soldiers. The following days are dedicated to visiting and wishing a Happy New Year to village elders, community leaders, and influential people,” Lieutenant Colonel Hoang The Tai said.

Leaving My Ly, we arrived at Huoi Khe Border Control Station, part of the Muong Ai Border Guard Post. In the days leading up to Tet, the station was shrouded in fog and cold, with the campfire always burning brightly, both to warm the soldiers and to dry their clothes after patrolling the border and boundary markers.

Officers and soldiers at Huoi Khe Border Guard Station prepare to wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: Hai Thuong

According to Captain Hoang Ngoc Binh, Deputy Political Officer of the Muong Ai Border Guard Station: The Huoi Khe Station is tasked with patrolling and controlling the border area from Border Marker 415 to Border Marker 419 on the Vietnam-Laos border, controlling the area, monitoring the situation, and mobilizing the people in the Ai Khe and Tham Khop residential clusters in Huoi Khe village, Muong Ai commune, Ky Son district, to comply with the Party's guidelines, the State's policies and laws, and the regulations of the border area.

In addition, it is important to effectively exchange information and intelligence with the functional forces of neighboring Laos in the border area of ​​the Xam Che cluster of villages, Xieng Khouang province, to protect the border security of each side.

Huoi Khe Border Guard Station celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) early so that officers and soldiers could carry out their duties. Photo: Hai Thuong

Before the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Rabbit, with the support and assistance of the "For the Stature of Vietnam" Fund and Bac A Bank, Huoi Khe Station was equipped with a 3KW solar power system, providing electricity for lighting and helping to alleviate difficulties for the officers and soldiers stationed there.

Lieutenant Colonel Duong Van Vinh - Head of the Administrative Staff and General Planning Team, Muong Ai Border Guard Station, originally from Thai Binh province, who volunteered to be on duty at Huoi Khe Station this year during Tet, shared: "Having served in the Border Guard force for nearly 30 years, this year I am once again far from my family. Although there are moments of homesickness, we always understand the responsibility and duty of a border guard soldier on the border to ensure security for the people to enjoy Tet and welcome the Spring."

Although not fully equipped, border guards at border posts and checkpoints have prepared a full range of traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) festivities. Photo: KL

At some border checkpoints, despite the slight disadvantage of not having phone signal, making it difficult for the soldiers in green uniforms to contact or receive New Year's greetings from their families on New Year's Eve, they are compensated by the warm and sincere encouragement and visits from the people on both sides of the border, and even from Lao soldiers who come to wish them a Happy New Year.

"While enjoying the Spring Festival and celebrating Tet, the soldiers never neglected their duties for a single moment. In the days before and after Tet, despite the cold wind, officers and soldiers still organized patrols to ensure security in the border region, aiming to ensure that the people could celebrate Tet safely and warmly."

To ensure everyone can celebrate Tet peacefully, border guards continue their patrols to protect the border. Photo: Hai Thuong

At Nhon Mai Border Guard Station (Tuong Duong), on the 28th day of the Lunar New Year, Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Hong - the Station Commander - was still working alongside the commune's militia, border self-management teams, and border marker personnel to patrol and ensure border security and safety in the area, so that the people could enjoy the Lunar New Year with peace of mind.

In addition, officers and soldiers at checkpoints in Piêng Cọoc, Huồi Cọ, Thăm Thẩm, Khe Bén, etc., always clearly understand their responsibilities, overcome difficulties in living conditions and harsh climate, and firmly hold their weapons to protect the border during the Tet holiday and the arrival of spring.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Thanh Hong, Commander of Nhon Mai Border Guard Station, speaks with local residents during a patrol. Photo: Police Department.

At Thanh Thuy Border Gate Border Guard Station (Thanh Chuong district), tasked with managing and protecting a 6,595 km stretch of border with 4 border markers, including 2 official markers, the border guards silently patrol and monitor the border during the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, fulfilling their duty to maintain peace and security.

Leaders of Thanh Chuong district visit and extend New Year greetings to Thanh Thuy Border Gate Border Guard Station. Photo: CSCC.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Tu, Political Officer of Thanh Thuy Border Gate Border Guard Station, said: "In implementing 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 effectively implemented patrol and control work in the area and border region."

Thanh Thuy Border Gate Border Guard Station, in coordination with the police and local militia, patrols the border and border markers. Photo: Police Department.

In addition to strictly managing the movement of people and vehicles in and out of the border area, the unit also assigned officers and soldiers to coordinate with the police and military forces of Thanh Thuy commune to conduct patrols to prevent and combat various types of crimes, ensuring safety in the area and creating favorable conditions for people to enjoy the Spring Festival and celebrate Tet.

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

In addition, in coordination with local Party committees and authorities, they did a good job of mass mobilization, organizing Tet celebrations and welcoming the New Year with the people in the area, with the motto of unity, safety, and economy.

Heartwarming moments for the local people.

In the warm and joyful atmosphere of the Lunar New Year, we also heard stories from the Mong, Thai, Khmu, and Dan Lai ethnic groups about the heartwarming things the Border Guard has done for the people in the border areas. For example, in the two communes of My Ly and Bac Ly (Ky Son district), in addition to providing hands-on guidance in labor and production, many other social welfare activities for the people have been effectively maintained by the officers and soldiers of the My Ly Border Guard Post.

Notably, the first "Take what you need, share what you have" charity house model was put into operation within the Nghe An Border Guard force, becoming a charitable hub providing free clothing, books, and other supplies to people and students in the area.

Officers from My Ly Border Guard Post guide students in searching for information online. Photo: Khanh Ly

In particular, in 2022, the station introduced new models such as "information technology connection room for villages" and "free, friendly barbershop" to serve the people, which were recognized and highly appreciated.

Mr. Cụt Văn Long, Chairman of the People's Committee of Bắc Lý commune, said: “Bắc Lý commune has 13 villages with a population of 944 households/4,925 people, with Kinh, Thái, Khơ mú, and Mông ethnic groups living together. Understanding and sharing the many difficulties of the people, in recent times, the officers and soldiers of Mỹ Lý Border Guard Post have always implemented the "3 close ties, 4 together" principle, accompanying the Party committee, government, and people through practical programs and activities contributing to poverty alleviation and new rural development. The local Party committee and government are very grateful for the practical actions of the soldiers in green uniforms. They not only protect the border but also help the locality consolidate the political system, develop socio-economic conditions, and ensure peace and security for the people and the area.”

Officers from My Ly Border Guard Post provide free haircuts for local residents. Photo: KL

In the villages of Búng and Cò Phạt – villages of the Dan Lai ethnic group nestled in the Pù Mát mountain range in Môn Sơn commune (Con Cuông district) – the people also mention the soldiers in green uniforms as the "pillars" of their villages. We met Mr. La Văn Linh and some villagers gathered around a small courtyard, wrapping sticky rice cakes to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) with officers and soldiers from the Khe Khặng Border Guard Station. Mr. Linh excitedly shared: "Thanks to the border guard officers at the station and the border outpost who have been stationed in the villages, propagating and mobilizing the people to build economic models to alleviate poverty (growing green vegetables, cultivating rice, developing livestock farming, etc.), the lives of the Dan Lai people have changed significantly. Especially, thanks to the help of the border guard party members temporarily residing there, this year, the Party branches of Búng and Cò Phạt villages have both admitted three new party members, making us even more joyful and cheerful…"

Villagers and students of Co Phat hamlet, Mon Son commune, wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to celebrate the New Year with officers from Khe Khang Border Guard Station. Photo: KL

To celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit 2023, the Nghe An Border Guard Command, in coordination with the Nghe An Provincial Fatherland Front Committee, organized the "Border Guard Spring - Warming the Hearts of the Villagers" program in Xang Tren village, My Ly commune (Ky Son district) and Nhon Mai village, Nhon Mai commune (Tuong Duong district) with cultural and artistic activities, a competition for wrapping and cooking banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), and folk games such as tug-of-war, stick pushing, crossbow shooting, and throwing the "con" (a type of ball)...

The people of Nhon Mai village, Nhon Mai commune, participate in fun activities in the "Border Guard Spring - Warming the Hearts of the Villagers" program. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On this occasion, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu presented over 3.6 billion VND to the "For the Poor" Fund of Ky Son district and over 1.3 billion VND to support poor households in Tuong Duong district to celebrate Tet. The Organizing Committee also presented 6 "Great Solidarity" houses worth 300 million VND; a livelihood model of breeding goats worth 70 million VND; and 1,310 Tet gifts to policy beneficiaries, poor households, influential people, and underprivileged students in the "Helping Children Go to School - Children Adopted by Border Guard Posts" program.

This not only demonstrates the nation's moral principle of mutual support and compassion, but also expresses gratitude to the people of various ethnic groups in the area who have stood side-by-side with the Border Guard and local Party committees and authorities in successfully fulfilling the task of protecting national border sovereignty.

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

As part of a series of activities to care for the poor during Tet (Lunar New Year) in border areas, several border guard posts also organized activities to join hands and contribute with local Party committees and authorities to care for poor households so that they can celebrate the Lunar New Year more warmly and fully.

The Nhon Mai Border Guard Station, in coordination with local authorities, organized the distribution of 128 gift packages (each worth 500,000 VND) to poor and near-poor households in the villages of Huoi Co, Tham Tham, Pieng Cooc, and Pha Khao (Mai Son commune).

Nhon Mai Border Guard Station (Tuong Duong District) visits and extends New Year greetings to people in the border area. Photo: CSCC

In addition, the program also presented 9 gifts to influential people in Mai Son commune; the management boards of villages and border guard posts. Stationed in the border area, where people's lives are still difficult and customs and traditions are still backward, over the years, officers and soldiers of Nhon Mai Border Guard Post have persistently guided and encouraged people to change their way of thinking and doing things to develop the economy and build a new cultural way of life.

A highlight is the development and implementation of a combined military-civilian livelihood model at border checkpoints, guiding people in raising goats, breeding cattle, fattening cattle, and cage fish. “This Tet holiday, our family is happier and more prosperous thanks to the border guards. They gave us livestock, guided us in scientific and technical methods, and shared their experience to develop livestock farming. Now we have 20 goats, 2 cages, and several hundred kilograms of fish…” – Mr. Lo Van Toan from Nhon Mai village, one of the households selected to implement the model, happily stated.

Border guards and other forces, along with local authorities, are making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to prepare for Tet (Lunar New Year) for people in the flood-affected area of ​​Ta Ca. Photo: Hai Thuong

Visiting the border region during the Lunar New Year, we not only witnessed the silent sacrifices of soldiers on the front lines for a peaceful spring, but also felt the deep bond between the military and the people, and the joy of a new life clearly reflected in the changes in the lives of the ethnic minorities in the border areas.