Nậm Nhừ commune, which shares more than 16 kilometer of national border with Muang May district (Phongsaly province, Laos) and hosts 7 border markers, has 13 scattered villages spread across a large area. Here, the management and collection of homemade weapons face many challenges due to local farming practices and a long-standing tradition of using makeshift guns. The Nậm Nhừ Border Post has identified public education on laws governing weapons, explosives, and supporting tools as a routine and crucial measure to protect sovereignty and security in the border region.

In 2025, the Nậm Nhừ Border Post coordinated with the commune’s Party Committee, local authorities, police, and militia forces to organize 11 communication sessions, drawing 458 local participants. The sessions used simple, accessible formats to explain key regulations under the Law on Management and Use of Weapons, Explosive Materials and Support Instruments. Officers also emphasized the serious risks and consequences of illegally storing or using homemade guns, citing, for example, a fatal 2016 case in which a local resident died while using a homemade firearm. Such examples have helped raise community awareness of the dangers and legal implications of improper weapon possession.

Following the motto “visit every alley, knock on every door, meet every individual,” officers of the Nậm Nhừ Border Post went directly to each village and household to encourage voluntary handover of weapons. As a result, local residents turned in nine homemade flintlock guns, significantly helping prevent potential security incidents. Thanks to sustained communication efforts and close coordination with local authorities, the area’s security has remained stable; since 2017, no violations related to illegal weapon use have been reported.

According to Major Đỗ Xuân Điềm, Political Officer of the Nậm Nhừ Border Post, the unit will continue adopting more intuitive and culturally tailored communication methods, using local customs and languages. He added that they will further engage village elders, community leaders, and grassroots security groups to support advocacy, monitoring, and early detection of remaining weapons among residents.

In late September 2025, during a patrol, officers from the Sen Thượng Border Post, accompanied by the village head and local mass organizations in Sen Thượng village, Sín Thầu commune, successfully persuaded resident Lỳ Ly Họa to hand over a used homemade flintlock gun. “After officers explained the law, I understood that using a homemade gun with pellet ammunition is illegal, so I voluntarily surrendered it”, Họa said.

Throughout 2025, through patrols and community outreach, the Sen Thượng Border Post collected five used homemade flintlock guns from local residents.

Senior Captain Phan Văn Long, Deputy Political Officer of the Sen Thượng Border Post, stated that the unit will continue working with local authorities and police to strengthen awareness campaigns and collect all remaining weapons in the area under its jurisdiction, aiming to keep the region entirely free of illegal weapons and ensure a safe living environment for residents.

Proactive, widespread communication efforts, combined with direct engagement with individuals, have led to a clear shift in public awareness and behavior, especially in remote and border areas. As a result, the collection and management of weapons and explosives have achieved positive outcomes, contributing to stability and public security along the border.