Economy

Warm Spring on the Border

Gia Huy - Anh Bach • January 28, 2026 09:10

Every Lunar New Year, in the remote villages along the border of Nghe An province, the spirit of spring is not only brought about by the early blooming peach and plum blossoms, but also by the strong bond between the military and the people. Through practical programs such as "Springtime at the Border Guard: Warming the Hearts of the Villagers," "Zero-Cost Stalls," and "A Warm Tet for Children," the officers and soldiers of the Nghe An Border Guard have been bringing spring earlier and warmer to the people in the highlands, especially those areas that are just recovering from natural disasters and floods.

Content:Gia Huy - Anh Bach /Present:Hong Toai• January 28, 2026

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Every Lunar New Year, in the remote villages along the border of Nghe An province, the spirit of spring is not only brought about by the early blooming peach and plum blossoms, but also by the strong bond of affection between the military and the people. Through practical programs such as "Border Guard Spring - Warming the Hearts of the Villagers," "Zero-Cost Stalls," and "A Warm Tet for Children," the officers and soldiers of the Nghe An Border Guard have brought spring earlier and warmer to the people in the highlands, especially those areas that have just recovered from natural disasters and floods.

Early in the morning, while the mist still lingered around the high mountain slopes on the Vietnam-Laos border, the center of Nhot Lot village (My Ly commune) was more bustling than usual. The dirt road leading into the village, usually quiet, was now filled with laughter, conversation, footsteps, and the melodious sounds of the Hmong people's flutes and pipes. Against the backdrop of the deep green mountains and forests, the green uniforms of the border guards stood out, creating a warm spring scene in this remote border region.

The Nhọt Lợt village is located about 25km from the center of Mỹ Lý commune and is home to 40 Mông ethnic minority households. It is one of the areas still facing many difficulties, with poor transportation and people's lives mainly dependent on slash-and-burn agriculture. In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the villagers were delighted to receive the "Spring Border Guard Program: Warming the Hearts of the Villagers," organized by the Mỹ Lý Border Guard Post, the Nghệ An Provincial Border Guard Command, in coordination with the Mỹ Lý Commune People's Committee and the "Little House" volunteer group (Ho Chi Minh City).

Within the framework of the program, many practical and meaningful activities were implemented simultaneously. From early morning, the area for medical examinations, health consultations, and free medicine distribution was crowded with people. Military medical personnel diligently examined and guided people on how to prevent and combat common illnesses in the cold weather. The friendly and open atmosphere further strengthened the bond between the military and the people.

Alongside medical examinations and treatment, stalls selling traditional Hmong cakes were also set up. Soldiers and locals made cakes together, chatting about the hard work of the past year and looking forward to the new spring with much faith and hope.

Interspersed with cultural and artistic performances, folk games such as spinning tops and throwing pao balls, reflecting the unique ethnic identity, created a joyful and warm atmosphere.

In a spirit of shared joy, the organizing committee presented 40 Tet gift packages to disadvantaged families in Nhot Lot village. Each package included cash and essential necessities, with a total value of over 40 million VND, helping the villagers have a more fulfilling Tet celebration.

Deeply moved by this care and sharing, the village head of Nhot Lot Gia Ba Ca, on behalf of the people, expressed: "These early Tet gifts help the villagers have a warmer Spring celebration. We are very grateful to the Border Guard, the Party committee, the local government, and all the benefactors."

My Ly commune was one of the areas severely affected by the historic flash flood at the end of July 2025. Although the floodwaters have long since receded, the consequences of the natural disaster are still evident in every house, road, and village. In this context, alongside its border management and protection duties, the My Ly Border Guard Post has proactively implemented many practical activities, working alongside the people to overcome difficulties and gradually stabilize their lives.

One of the highlights is the "Borderland Lighting" project – a project with profound significance for both the people and national defense and security. Through the unit's efforts and coordination, 100 solar-powered streetlights have been installed along National Highway 16 and the roads leading to the villages of Xieng Tam and Yen Hoa – areas that were once shrouded in darkness, especially after floods when the power grid was severely damaged.

The entire project, valued at approximately 150 million VND, was funded by organizations, businesses, and philanthropists. To reduce costs, all digging, pole erection, and light installation were carried out directly by border guards and local people in coordination with the community. The green and indigo uniforms of the border guards mingled as they diligently worked on every meter of road and every installation point – a vivid testament to the spirit of "the army and the people united in purpose" on the border of our homeland.

Lieutenant Colonel Bui Hong Manh, Deputy Political Officer of My Ly Border Guard Station, said: “After the storms, many roads no longer have lighting systems, greatly affecting the lives of people and the work of patrolling and ensuring security and order. Faced with this reality, the unit has proactively connected with social resources, working together to install solar-powered lighting systems, serving the lives of the people and the task of managing and protecting the border.”

As one of the households most severely affected by the floods, Ms. Lo Thi Thu (Xieng Tam village) is currently rebuilding her home step by step in time for Tet (Lunar New Year). She shared: "Since we got solar-powered lights, it's much brighter at night, and building the house has become much easier. My family is very happy."

According to Mr. Dao Cong Thinh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of My Ly commune, the "Borderland Lighting" model not only illuminates roads and village paths previously affected by floods or lacking electricity, but also contributes to ensuring security and order, creating favorable conditions for the daily life and production activities of the people. "With the lights, this year the people will be able to organize more activities to celebrate Tet and welcome the Spring," Mr. Thinh said.

Not only in My Ly, the atmosphere of "Springtime at the Border Guard Station - warming the hearts of the local people" has spread throughout the border areas of Nghe An province.

In Anh Son commune, Phuc Son Border Guard Station, in coordination with the local Party committee, government, and philanthropists, organized the "Border Guard Spring - Warming the Hearts of the Villagers" program, distributing 346 gifts to poor households, near-poor households, policy beneficiary families, village elders, influential people, and students participating in the "Helping Children Go to School" program, with a total value of 319 million VND.

Earlier, during the severe cold spell, the Nam Can Border Guard Post organized a program called "Free Goods Booth - Take what you need, share what you have" in Na Cang village (Na Ngoi commune). More than 300 people received nearly 300 kg of warm clothes, blankets, and sandals donated by officers and soldiers of the unit in coordination with the "Lac Tham - Sang Niem Tin" Club (Ninh Binh province).

Lieutenant Colonel Xong Ba Mua, Deputy Political Officer of Nam Can Border Guard Station, said: "To promptly support the people in overcoming the cold weather, the unit and benefactors have transported goods directly to the villages. This is a gesture of affection from officers, soldiers, and benefactors for the people in the border region."

In Na Loi border commune, the Na Loi Border Guard Station also coordinated with the local authorities and philanthropists to organize the "Warm Tet for Children" program, distributing 290 gifts to poor households and students in difficult circumstances, with a total value of over 273 million VND.

From small gifts, warm blankets, and new clothes to community projects, everything carries a common message: wherever there is hardship, the footprints of border guards will be there.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Cam, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of the Nghe An Border Guard Command, this Lunar New Year, the Provincial Border Guard Command will coordinate with the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department and the Department of Education and Training to organize the provincial-level program "Spring Border Guard: Warming the Hearts of Local People" in Son Lam commune – an area still facing many difficulties.

The program is expected to include many meaningful activities such as free medical examinations and medication, making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), cultural and sports exchanges, giving Tet gifts, providing livelihood support, and organizing a "Free Tet Booth".

More than just an annual Tet celebration, "Border Guard Spring - Warming the Hearts of the People" also spreads the spirit of responsibility and compassion of the Nghe An Border Guard towards the ethnic minorities in the border region.

Besides a series of activities to care for the poor during Tet, ensuring security and order before, during, and after Tet, border guard posts along the border also meticulously prepared plans for welcoming the New Year, wishing village elders, community leaders, respected individuals, and the people in the area with the criteria of safety, joy, and warmth.

This further affirms the pivotal role of the Border Guard force in building a "people's defense posture," contributing to maintaining national sovereignty and border security through simple and practical actions.

Spring in the border region, therefore, comes not only from the blossoming wildflowers on the mountain slopes, but also from the sharing hands and the silent footsteps of the soldiers in green uniforms. In the early days of spring in the border areas, one can more clearly feel the joy and hope blossoming in each village – where spring is preserved by the strong bond of affection between the military and the people.