We, too, with our gear, cameras, and notebooks, set out. The first destination for this patrol was Marker No.3. While not the furthest or most difficult, the mountain rain had turned the trail to the marker into a muddy mess.

After trudging through the muddy path, we arrived at the marker. “Marker No.3 is one of the 16 border markers managed by A Pa Chải Border Post. Specifically, our unit is responsible for 38.281km of border, including 17.368km along the Vietnam-China border with 8 markers, 20.913km along the Vietnam-Laos border with 7 markers, and one marker at the tri-junction of the three countries,” said Lieutenant Hạng A Minh at the A Pa Chải Border Post, as he briefed us.

After thoroughly inspecting the area, the ritual of saluting the border marker, the national sovereignty, was performed solemnly. In that moment, all fatigue seemed to fade away, leaving only the strong sense of duty and pride in the eyes of the soldiers.

With their mission at Marker No.3 complete, the soldiers quickly moved on to the next section of the border. Amidst the swirling clouds and the rain, their figures disappeared into the mist. It reminded us of what Deputy Political Officer Đinh Quốc Tập had said before the patrol began that the patrol routes in Sín Thầu are both a physical test and a test of the spirit and determination of the soldiers. Despite the harsh weather and difficult terrain, border patrol is a sacred and important mission. No matter how hard it gets, we always push forward with the mindset of “once we start, we must finish.”

We bid farewell to the officers of the A Pa Chải Border Post and continued on to the Nà Bủng Border Post in Mường Nhé district. This station is responsible for over 41km of border with Laos, covering 14 markers from Marker No.47 to Marker No.60. Troops of the Nà Bủng Border Post carry out at least two patrols to these markers every month, in addition to joint patrols with their Lao counterparts and other unscheduled patrols.

We arrived at the Nà Bủng Border Post just as the patrol team was preparing to depart. In this mission, in addition to the five officers from the station, local militia forces from Nà Bủng commune also joined the patrol. Before the operation, the team gathered with their personal gear, weapons, and equipment in front of the station. Captain Đinh Tuấn Đạt, Head of the Administrative Control Unit at the Nà Bủng Border Post, conducted a final check and briefed the team, providing specific instructions for each officer and outlining plans for handling any potential situations during the patrol.

Having served for 15 years in border guard duties, including many years at Nà Bủng, Captain Đạt was familiar with every patrol route and even the trees along the way. “Among the 14 border markers we manage, only Marker 49 is accessible by a concrete road. The remaining 13 markers are spread across hilly terrain, making each patrol last 4-5 days, often through deep forests and steep, muddy trails. The weather can be harsh, with heavy rain and fog, making visibility difficult. Before each patrol, we must ensure we are fully equipped with weapons, gear, and enough food for the journey,” he shared.

As we followed the team along the patrol route towards the border markers, the silence was only interrupted by the sound of footsteps and the focused determination of the soldiers. Yet, during moments of rest, laughter and conversation broke the quiet, bringing a sense of camaraderie to the mission.

What struck us most during the patrol was the soldiers’ sharp awareness at every turn. Whenever there was a suspicious trace, they would stop and inspect thoroughly, only moving forward once they were sure it was a sign from previous patrols.

Although we could not visit all the markers under the Nà Bủng Border Post’s management or complete the entire patrol route, this experience gave us a glimpse into the sacrifices and dedication of these soldiers.

As the evening set over the border, we left the Nà Bủng Border Post. The image of the border guard, rifle in hand, backpack on their back, and their resolute spirit as they moved towards the next marker, deepened our admiration for these soldiers on the distant frontier. The words of the song “Song on the Border Patrol Road” echoed in our minds: “The grass is still green along the border road / We walk without counting steps / Not counting sunny days, not counting rainy days / Because here the station is home, the border is our homeland...”