Deep bond between soldiers and people

Every maize harvest season, on the steep hillsides of Pa Xa Lào village, Thanh Yên commune, one often sees the green-uniformed border soldiers diligently working under the open sky. With knives and sacks in hand, they husk, carry, and haul corn cobs swiftly, as if it were their daily job.

As scheduled, early on the morning of July 31, officers and soldiers of the Pa Thơm Border Post arrived to help Mr. Lò Văn Bun’s family harvest maize, one of many activities under the “good mass mobilization” model that the unit has been actively implementing. Despite the slippery hills and soggy paths after the rain, with sweat mixing with red soil, the soldiers toiled with bright smiles.

There were no complaints or signs of fatigue, because they understood that each corn cob represents months of hard work by poor farming families. Their friendly conversations with Mr. Bun’s family members helped lighten the work and made the morning pass quickly.

Moved by their kindness, Mr. Bun promised both himself and the soldiers: “Our family will always see the Border Guards as our own. We’ll strive to live well, rise up, and protect every inch of our homeland.”

In another remote border village, Tàng Phon, Nậm Kè commune, on July 30, nearly a dozen officers and soldiers from the Nậm Kè Border Post silently and affectionately crossed streams, carried sacks of cement and timber, leveled ground, and helped build houses for local people. Undeterred by hardship, each soldier poured their heart and strength into supporting the villagers, bringing the warmth of the Party and State closer to the poor in the region.

As one of two families receiving housing support, Mr. Kháng A Lừ could not hide his emotions. He couldn’t remember exactly when his family began living in constant fear during each rainy season. The old, makeshift shelter that had stood for decades could no longer withstand the heavy rains and strong winds common in the highlands. Each time disaster loomed, he had to rely on commune officials and Border Guards for help.

But this year, that worry began to fade as the first bricks were laid, forming the foundation of a sturdier house. “I don’t know what to say other than thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to officers and soldiers of the Nậm Kè Border Post and the local authorities. Without this help, I don’t know when we would have had the means to build a new house,” said Mr. Lừ emotionally.

Lieutenant Colonel Vũ Văn Cảnh, Commander of the Nậm Kè Border Post, shared that the unit had actively responded to the Prime Minister’s campaign to “eliminate makeshift and dilapidated housing.” Each plan and activity was clearly and specifically laid out by the unit, which played a key role in advising and closely coordinating with local authorities, from dismantling old homes, transporting materials, leveling land, to building new houses.

Every new home not only embodies the deep affection between the army and the people but is also a practical step in realizing the “Skilful Mass Mobilization” movement within the provincial Border Guard force.

Diverse models to support people

In recent years, the local border guard force across the province has implemented various flexible and effective approaches in mass mobilization through practical actions: helping people develop sustainable livelihoods, reduce poverty, build new rural areas, and ensure social welfare.

Additionally, the units have proactively advised local authorities in organizing emulation movements such as “good mass mobilization,” and have built and replicated many models and examples that align with local customs and regulations.

Thanks to well-coordinated mass mobilization efforts, the border guard force’s credibility among ethnic communities in border areas remains strong. The people continue to uphold their patriotic traditions, stay united, trust in the Party’s leadership, and actively participate in safeguarding national sovereignty and border security.

The Sen Thượng Border Post is tasked with managing and protecting 24km of national border between Vietnam and China, which includes eight border markers. Lieutenant Colonel Lò Văn Ván, Political Officer of the post, affirmed that mass mobilization is always identified as one of the unit’s essential, regular, and long-term tasks. Officers and soldiers are constantly reminded to stay close to the area, grasp local developments, and patrol assigned border segments.

With the motto of “3 stays, 4 togethers,” through specific actions, many officers have been assigned to live and work in villages. They combine support activities with outreach to encourage residents to join efforts in protecting the border. Soldiers help villagers improve agricultural land, switch to more suitable crops, develop the local economy, eliminate outdated customs, and support social welfare. Thanks to their work, living conditions for ethnic communities in the border areas have visibly improved.

Senior Colonel Phan Văn Hóa, Commander of the provincial Border Guard Command, stated: over the past five years of implementing mass mobilization and the “good mass mobilization” emulation movement, the force has effectively rolled out and expanded numerous programs and initiatives. These include “Stepping Forward to School - Adopted Children of Border Posts,” “Companionship with Borderland Women,” “Soldier’s Rice Jar,” “Border Spring, Warming Hearts in the Villages,” and the project “Military Officers and Soldiers Supporting Children’s Education.” These efforts have mobilized over VND 17.4 billion to help people in border areas reduce poverty and improve their livelihoods.

Each new house, each full meal, each tear of joy from the people, all serve as vivid evidence of the effectiveness and profound humanity behind the border guard force’s mass mobilization activities. Amidst the vast Northwestern mountains, these border guards are not only defenders of the frontier but also dear friends, brothers, and sons of the ethnic communities, always present when people are in need, helping build a solid people’s defense at the nation’s gateway.