Promoting proud tradition of “the arduous yet heroic Southeastern region”

In recent years, the Party Committee and High Command of Military Region 7 have effectively implemented military and defence tasks through various practical and innovative initiatives in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the traditional day of the armed forces of Military Region 7 (December 10, 1945 –2025).

These activities highlight the imprint of the armed forces of Military Region 7 (MR7) in further promoting the proud tradition of “the arduous yet heroic Southeastern region” and upholding the 16 golden words of the armed forces of MR7: “Unlimited loyalty, proactive creativity, self-reliance and resilience, unity to victory.” They have been highly appreciated by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence and recognised by localities’ Party committees, authorities and residents.

Armed forces strengthen ties with religions and ethnic communities

Throughout the process of directing and implementing military and defence tasks, the Party Committee and High Command of MR7 have deployed numerous practical and creative models across all agencies, units and local armed forces under the MR7. These include initiatives to strengthen friendly connections and support ethnic minorities and religious communities; build border militia posts, comradeship houses and military–civilian gratitude houses; and develop strong grassroots-level local armed forces.

Major General Dang Van Lam (centre), Deputy Commander of MR7, and representatives of MR7 agencies inspect preparations for the reception of new recruits in 2025 at Division 309 stationed in Dong Nai. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Over the 80-year journey of construction, combat and development, these effective models, particularly those promoting friendly relations and support for ethnic and religious communities, have become a hallmark of the armed forces of MR7. They continue to receive high evaluation from the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, and are recognised by provinces and cities within the region.

Between 2021 and 2025 alone, the armed forces of MR7 coordinated efforts and mobilized resources to build and donate 166 cultural and sports facilities at religious establishments and ethnic minority areas. In Dong Nai province, notable beneficiaries include the cultural and sports complex presented to Hoa Binh – Xuan Loc College in Ho Nai ward; a library for the Intermediate School of Buddhist Studies (nuns’ campus) in Long Thanh commune; cultural and sports works for Muslim communities in Xuan Loc; cultural and sports facilities for Protestant communities in Tho Son; and a sports facility for the Chau Ma community in Dinh Quan.

Alongside support for ethnic and religious communities, the armed forces of MR7 have also built thousands of solidarity houses, charity houses and military–civilian gratitude homes. During 2021–2025 period, MR7 built or coordinated efforts to construct more than 1.9 thousand military–civilian gratitude houses. Dong Nai is among the leading provinces in this programme, with hundreds of houses granted to ethnic and religious communities.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the traditional day of the armed forces of MR7, the Party Committee and High Command have organised numerous meaningful activities. During the recent “return to the roots” programme held on December 6 in Tay Ninh, a total of 69 adjacent residential houses, 5 military–civilian gratitude houses, over 1.2 thousand welfare gifts at a “zero dong market”, and 200 bicycles were presented to disadvantaged students.

 

Receiving a military–civilian gratitude house handed over by the Regional Defense Command 2 – Long Khanh, Dong Nai Provincial Military Command and benefactors on the afternoon of 6 December, K’Thi Pon, an ethnic Stieng resident from Ta Lai commune, emotionally said: “Now that we have a beautiful new home, we can focus on working and stabilising our lives. We are sincerely grateful to Uncle Ho’s soldiers.”

Strengthening “people’s hearts and minds posture” from adjacent residential zones

Dong Nai province is one of localities under the management of MR7 with a border length of 258.939 kilometres and eight border communes. Prior to 2018, this area faced numerous difficulties and sparse population; however, thanks to Project 811 (The project on developing residential points adjacent to border militia posts in the MR7-controlled area in 2019–2025 period), this region has undergone significant transformation, with new vitality emerging from “adjacent residential clusters”, “border houses” and border schools.

In Hamlet 3 – Thanh Hoa, Thien Hung commune, Dong Nai province, few can imagine that just six years ago this area was desolate, covered in reeds and coarse grass. Today, a residential community of 51 households and more than 200 residents has been established, complete with upgraded infrastructure, Party cells, self-managed security teams and anti-crime task groups.

As one of the earliest households to settle in the adjacent residential area in Hamlet 3, Thanh Hoa commune, Duong Danh Son (75 years old) said he participated in the K battlefield from 1983 to 1989 and later settled in Bu Dop district. After years of hardship without a stable home, in 2019, his family received a house of more than 70 square metres, together with adequate electricity and water under Project 811. His family also received 500 square metres of garden land, over 10,000 square metres of farmland and two breeding goats. Today, his goat herd has grown to more than 30, ensuring stable income. “I am sincerely grateful to the Party committees, authorities and especially the soldiers of MR7 for supporting us with housing and land to stabilise our lives,” he shared.

The Party Committee and High Command of MR7 will solemnly mark the 80th anniversary of the traditional day of the armed forces of MR7 on December 9. The ceremony will review the 80-year journey of construction, combat, victory and growth of the force; and the unit will also be awarded the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces and various other distinguished honours.

Major General Tran Vinh Ngoc, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of MR7, stated that between 2019 and February 2025, the MR7 completed and handed over 58 adjacent residential points with 722 houses built next to border militia posts and border guard stations; while infrastructure has been gradually upgraded to enable residents to settle and stabilise their livelihoods. Additionally, the MR7 built and handed over two preschools in border residential areas. These achievements have contributed to forming villages along the border, promoting socio-economic development, and creating solid “protective fences” and “people’s landmark pillars”, thereby strengthening the “people’s hearts and minds posture” in border areas. As a result, the region’s capability and strength in protecting national sovereignty and border security have been significantly enhanced.

By Nguyet Ha – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha