The initiative stems from the reality that many Youth Union activities had previously relied on manual processes, while Youth Union membership data had yet to be systematically digitized. Many officers and Youth Union members also lacked the digital skills needed to effectively use online platforms in their work. In border areas, residents continue to face difficulties accessing online public services, electronic identification accounts, digital payment systems, and basic cybersecurity knowledge. These challenges highlighted the need for a unified model that could both strengthen digital capacity within the border guard force and help local communities gradually adapt to the digital environment.

Senior Captain Quàng Anh Quân, Assistant for Mass Mobilization Affairs at the Political Division of the Điện Biên Border Guard Command, said the initiative was launched in late 2025 across 19 Youth Union chapters within the provincial border guard force. Each chapter established a Digital Support Team consisting of three to five members with information technology expertise to directly assist officers, soldiers, and local residents in using digital platforms.

At the same time, the units have developed digital databases for Youth Union members and established Digital Youth Union Chapters, Digital Records, and Digital Libraries. QR codes have been incorporated into legal awareness campaigns, while official social media platforms are being used more extensively for public communication and mission implementation.

On average, each Youth Union chapter has produced three AI-assisted videos and ten AI-generated visual products to support legal awareness campaigns. Published on digital platforms, these products have attracted approximately 10,000 likes and reached more than one million viewers, helping modernize communication methods and make legal information more accessible than traditional approaches.

In Quảng Lâm commune, officers and soldiers from Na Cô Sa Border Post have carried out communication campaigns across all 14 villages using methods tailored to local conditions. In addition to face-to-face outreach, the unit has produced AI-generated infographics and videos and distributed QR code-enabled leaflets, allowing residents to easily access and retrieve information.

The content is presented through concise text, illustrations, icons, and short videos, making it easier for local people to understand and remember.

Senior Captain Trương Văn Tùng, Deputy Political Officer of the Na Cô Sa Border Post, said: “Most residents in our area belong to the Mông ethnic group, so our communication activities are always designed to match their level of understanding. We combine different communication methods to make information easier to remember and visualize. Our infographics are concise and straightforward, while our videos are carefully produced to ensure that the AI-generated characters accurately reflect the uniforms, appearance, and conduct prescribed by the regulations of the Vietnam People’s Army. We also incorporate the Mông language into our communication products to make them even more accessible. Once completed, the videos and infographics are published on the Facebook pages of Na Cô Sa Border Post and Quảng Lâm commune, while printed leaflets are distributed to every village.”

Giàng A Ký, a resident of Huổi Thủng 1 village, Quảng Lâm commune, shared: “In the past, many of us didn’t really understand digital transformation. Now border guards come directly to the village to explain everything, using illustrations that make it much easier to understand. I’ve learned how to use my phone to access information, recognize online scams, and even teach other members of my family.”

Through these practical efforts, the “Border guard soldiers drive digital transformation” initiative is bringing the “Digital literacy for all” movement closer to both border guard personnel and residents in border communities. As digital skills become more widespread, local people are gaining greater access to digital services and technologies, helping advance digital transformation from the grassroots level upward.