In a journey to Sín Thầu, the land where the “sun goes to sleep the latest” on the S-shaped strip of land, we met and spoke with Lỳ Xuyến Phù, a village elder and party member from A Pa Chải village. For over four decades, Lỳ Xuyến Phù has resiliently joined the officers and soldiers of the A Pa Chải Border Post in patrolling and protecting the border lines and landmarks, guarding every sacred inch of the country.

Lỳ Xuyến Phù expressed that he misses the landmarks dearly when he cannot visit, as he considers them soulmates, and feels immense pride when standing solemnly to salute them. Currently, Lỳ Xuyến Phù has directly mobilized 7 households and 40 individuals to register for the self-management of 19.5km of the border line, including 8 national landmarks.

Following the example of Lỳ Xuyến Phù, the Hà Nhì community from villages such as Tá Miếu, Tả Kố Khừ, Tả Kố Ky, and Tả Sú Lình has promoted a sense of community and responsibility, acting as the “ears” and “eyes” of the Border Guards. Upon detecting signs of legal violations, the residents report to the authorities and commune administration for timely handling to firmly protect national border security sovereignty.

In every patrol, border guards are accompanied by the Hà Nhì people, a bond that creates a resilient “shield” at the frontier, turning every patrol path into a journey of trust and military-civilian sentiment. Major Đinh Quốc Tập, Deputy Political Officer of the A Pa Chải Border Post, noted that in Sín Thầu, every citizen is a soldier who stands with the Border Guards to hold the villages and the land, creating a solid people’s border defense posture.

In Noong É, a border village in Mường Nhà commune, protecting the border and landmarks is a daily task for over 70 Mông ethnic households rather than a seasonal effort. Demonstrating a pioneering role, Thào A Hua, the head of Noong É village, arranges family work regardless of the weather to join border guards on patrol.

The steep slopes and slippery forest paths have become familiar to this village head, who believes that protecting the border and landmarks is a shared responsibility of every villager to preserve the lives and futures of their descendants. The responsibility shown by village elders and reputable individuals has spread strongly to every household, with many residents proactively registering for self-management groups and providing timely information to the border post.

The Điện Biên provincial Border Guard Command manages and protects a national border stretching 455.573km across two border lines, including 40.861km with China and 414.712km with Laos. The border area comprises 15 communes, all of which are categorized as especially difficult, containing 450 villages and 3 residential clusters. Implementing Directive No.01/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister on promoting the movement of “All people participating in protecting territorial sovereignty and national border security in the new situation,” the Command has intensified communication and mobilization through various practical forms.

From village meetings and party cell activities to local radio systems and theatrical performances, efforts to encourage residents to follow the Party’s guidelines and State laws have been widely deployed. In 2025, the Border Guard forces organized 1,067 sessions attracting 47,592 participants, helping residents understand border regulations as well as their rights and obligations.

Lieutenant Colonel Vì Văn Tiên, Deputy Political Officer of the Border Post of the Huổi Puốc Border Gate, stated that border residents always accompany and coordinate closely with the forces in management and security. Self-management models for borders, landmarks, and security in villages are continuously strengthened, contributing to a solid people’s border defense posture.

Reality shows that preserving the nation’s sacred land is not only a political task but also a command from the heart for every resident. When the military and the people share the same will and belief, no difficulty can shake the “people’s heart” posture. Over the years, thanks to active public participation, security in the border areas has remained stable, with incidents detected early and handled promptly to prevent “hot spots” from forming. Every citizen truly becomes a “living landmark,” acting as essential eyes and ears alongside functional forces.

Through the consensus and joint efforts of the military and the people, the Điện Biên border remains peaceful while villages flourish. Newly opened roads, sturdy houses, and effective economic models all bear the mark of solidarity and sharing between the soldiers in green and the ethnic communities at the nation’s frontier.