Staying close to grassroots level: Practical law at the frontier

ĐBP - In implementation of Project 1371, “Promoting the role of the Vietnam People’s Army in legal dissemination, education, and mobilizing public compliance with the law at the grassroots level,” the Party Committee and Command of the Điện Biên provincial Border Guard have synchronously deployed various solutions.

The focus is on innovating content to align with the unique characteristics of each locality, thereby contributing to the maintenance of security and order and building a solid people's border defense posture

The core of this initiative lies in a relentless commitment to the “Three stays and four togethers” philosophy, staying with the area, the people, and the mission while eating, living, working, and speaking the same language as the locals. To make this a reality, the force has assigned 83 Party members to join 83 village cells, while another 367 members are directly responsible for assisting 1,343 households in border communes. This isn’t just about handing out pamphlets; it is about building a presence where soldiers act as both legal advisors and life coaches for families in need.

Officers from the Sen Thượng Border Post meet with local residents to assess the situation in conjunction with providing legal dissemination to the people of Sín Thầu commune.

A moving example of this personal touch is the story of Mùa Thị Dớ, a resident of a poor household in Nà Bủng commune. For years, her family struggled in silence until Lieutenant Thào A Chua, an officer from the Nà Bủng Border Post, took them under his wing in 2024. Rather than just reciting regulations, Thào A Chua provided hands-on guidance and connected the family with resources to receive a breeding pig, 15 geese, and 15 chickens. This practical livelihood support gave Mùa Thị Dớ the motivation she needed to move away from economic desperation and toward a more stable, law-abiding future. As she noted herself, having the soldiers guide her in animal husbandry provided a peace of mind that theoretical knowledge never could.

While the human connection remains paramount, the Border Guard force has also mastered the art of “digital mobilization.” In 2026, they are successfully maintaining a vibrant presence on social media through Facebook pages like “Miền Hoa Ban” and “Tuổi trẻ Bộ đội Biên phòng tỉnh Điện Biên,” which have generated over 1,024 posts and tens of thousands of interactions. Recognizing that many in remote areas are more comfortable in their mother tongue, officers have also created mobile audio files in the Mông and Thái languages, bringing legal information to the furthest corners of the mountains via mobile loudspeakers.

The impact of these efforts is visible in the hard data of 2025 and early 2026. After 1,067 focused sessions attended by more than 47,000 people, the community has shown a significant shift in behavior. Over 17,365 households have signed commitments for forest fire prevention, and hundreds more have pledged to end unauthorized migration.

Perhaps most tellingly, the trust between the people and the soldiers led to the voluntary surrender of one military weapon and 135 homemade guns, drastically reducing the risk of local instability. Socially, the province is seeing a sharp decline in border regulation violations and the near-total disappearance of consanguineous marriage within these communities.

“Through the dissemination sessions, we finally understand the specific laws of the border region. This awareness has united the villagers and the Border Guard in our shared mission to protect our home,” shared Thào Hồng May, a resident of Noong É village.

Looking forward, the Điện Biên provincial Border Guard Command is preparing for a technological leap. They plan to further enhance their “mass mobilization” staff’s skills while piloting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for automated legal dissemination. By blending the ancient traditions of the village with the cutting-edge tools of tomorrow, they are ensuring that the sovereignty of the nation is protected not just by fences, but by the informed and willing hearts of the people who live there.

Lan Phương
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