Climbing mountains to reach local people

Endless drizzles day and night have turned the uphill road to remote villages into a muddy, slippery challenge for troops from the Sen Thượng Border Post. This post currently maintains one of the highest numbers of outposts in the province - five in total.

During a brief conversation, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Văn Trường, Commanding Officer of the post, shared that the unit is responsible for managing 24 kilometers of border adjoining China. However, when taking into account the total area of the residential region, the required travel radius reaches nearly 50 kilometers. The area is home to ethnic minority communities and is characterized by highly challenging transportation conditions. Unsurprisingly, the mission becomes even more grueling during the rainy season.

To give us a closer, more realistic view, Lieutenant Colonel Trường suggested we visit one of the outposts. “Getting to the main post is hard enough, but to really understand what it's like, you need to visit the field post”, he said.

Following his order, Senior Captain Phan Văn Long, the post’s Deputy Political Officer, packed up and led us to Tả Ló San, a border village located more than 20 kilometers from the commune center. To ensure safety, he arranged for additional officers and motorbikes to transport the group. “The road is tough, no way to navigate it if you’re not used to it”, he explained. “Let us take care of the driving.”

Rain had made the road especially slick. Some stretches were paved, but much of it remained dirt and gravel. Thick fog reduced visibility even with headlights on. Throughout the ride, Senior Captain Long honked frequently, an unwritten rule in the mountains to warn oncoming vehicles around blind corners.

About halfway through, we stopped near Marker No.12, which borders China. According to Senior Captain Long, it’s one of the most scenic landmarks along the border, often visited by tourists brought in by the post. On average, officers make several trips per month to inspect and clean the site.

After more than an hour, we arrived at the Tả Ló San outpost, perched high above the village with a panoramic view of the entire area. Officers there were monitoring the weather and helping locals prepare for storms.

Major Trần Quang Đăng, a veteran officer who has served the longest in Tả Ló San, is deeply familiar with the Hà Nhì ethnic community. His practical guidance, from monitoring weather patterns to securing livestock and reinforcing shelters, is well-received by villagers. Parents are reminded to keep children indoors during storms and avoid letting them wander in dangerous weather.

Expressing his appreciation, Pờ Xuân Mười, the village head, shared: “The border guards live here with us, they understand our needs. Whatever the people need, they help. They’ve taught us how to watch the weather and take precautions. They even help strengthen our homes and barns. They protect our lives and property.”

Beyond helping locals, officers also ensure their own safety in old, all-wooden outpost buildings, which pose their own risks. “Before your visit, we reinforced the roof and walls to block wind and rain”, said Long. “Luckily, the locals have done well preserving the forest, which helps reduce natural disasters. But we never let our guard down during the rainy season, we’re always on alert.”

Staying one step ahead

To prepare for the 2025 storm season, the border guard Command and provincial military Command developed an early action plan focused on the “four on-the-spot” principle (on-site command, on-site manpower, on-site supplies, and on-site logistics).

Based on this directive, the Sen Thượng Border Post proactively reviewed and updated its response plans, identifying early warning signs and potential risks to respond swiftly in emergencies.

Training has also been a priority. Officers and soldiers regularly conduct drills with local authorities to simulate disaster scenarios, ensuring responses are both practical and mission-appropriate.

In line with the motto “stay one step ahead”, the post partnered with local governments and civil organizations early in the rainy season to identify vulnerable areas and step up public awareness. Community engagement is key to strengthening preparedness, promoting timely evacuations, and minimizing loss.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Văn Trường affirmed: “As the force closest to the people, we are fully aware of our core role in disaster response along the border. No matter the situation, our officers are trained and committed to being one step ahead to safeguard the people.”

Along the route from Markers No.9 to 16, roads become as slick as oil during heavy rains. On many days, motorcycles can’t reach the posts, and officers must walk the rest of the way. But driven by the motto “Respect the people, help the people, protect the people”, they remain on constant standby to protect every home and every inch of land in this frontier region.

As we parted ways with the border outposts in Vietnam’s remote northwest, I couldn’t shake the image of a border guard’s radiant smile beneath the pouring rain, a smile that says it all. The rain may make their mission harder, but it can never wash away their determination to protect the peace and safety of their people and homeland.