In the wake of flash floods and landslides, alongside search and rescue operations, the Điện Biên provincial Military Command has joined forces with local authorities to build and repair homes for displaced families. From leveling foundations to laying bricks and roofing, soldiers have turned into skilled builders, working in teams day and night to meet the resettlement deadline.

Senior Colonel Trịnh Đức Thiêm, Commander of the provincial Military Command, said: “More than 700 officers and soldiers have contributed over 34,200 workdays to help local people overcome disaster and stabilize their lives. Wherever the people need us, the army will be there. In just 45 days, 80 new homes were completed and 241 others repaired.”

In Che Phai village, Mường Luân commune, families like that of Hòa have also moved into sturdy new homes under the housing support program. With military assistance, worries about shelter have eased considerably. Thanks to firm direction from local leaders and coordinated efforts across agencies, 18 new houses have been built in Mường Luân, while 28 damaged homes have been reinforced. Behind each project lies the dedication and compassion of Hồ Chí Minh’s soldiers. “Each day, seeing new homes take shape makes me truly happy”, said soldier Lường Văn Thịnh of Regiment 741. “It feels good to know we’re helping flood-affected families get back on their feet.”

Thịnh and his comrades are learning on the job, taking guidance from engineers, skilled masons, and the tough demands of disaster-prone terrain: how to shore up foundations against erosion, which materials to use for durability, how to design drainage to prevent future flooding.

The effort is large-scale but deeply collaborative. Soldiers do not replace the people, but stand beside them. At each resettlement site, the provincial command works closely with construction, finance, and agriculture departments to set technical standards, budgets, and timelines. Priority is given to poor households and those who lost their homes entirely. At the same time, disaster-prevention training and workplace safety are promoted. This organized approach keeps projects on track - “quick yet steady, productive yet lasting”. Beyond putting up walls and roofs, the program ensures families have access to clean water, electricity, inner roads, and communal spaces, so life after resettlement is secure, sustainable, and dignified.

As the afternoon sun fades, Mùa A Minh stands on the porch of his new home in Háng Pu Xi, gazing at the freshly paved concrete road in front. His eyes shine with relief. The portrait of President Hồ Chí Minh on the wall seems to witness the beginning of a new life. “With a solid house now, I can focus on the garden and raising livestock again,” he said.

After a disaster, wounds take time to heal and losses require resilience. But what can arrive immediately, and in time, is the discipline and compassion of soldiers. When soldiers become builders, every brick laid is not just a wall but a safeguard of trust, a bond of solidarity, and a promise of recovery. On this firm foundation, families can settle, children can return to school, elders can live in peace. And across every village, the image of soldiers in mud-stained uniforms, their shoulders dark with sweat, has become a symbol of reassurance.