Footprints of border guards

With the motto of “staying close to the people, close to the area, and aligned with guidelines and policies”, and consistently upholding the belief that “the “Border post is home, border is homeland, and ethnic minority people are family”, the Dong Nai border guards have worked flexibly and proactively alongside local people, contributing to a stable frontier, economic development, hunger eradication and poverty reduction, and the building of a prosperous and happy society.

Soldiers of the Dak O Border Post disseminate border regulations to local residents. Photo: Cam Lien

The soldiers, wearing green insignia, not only remain steadfast with their weapons, safeguarding every inch of land, every stretch of river, and every part of the national airspace along the frontier day and night, but also leave deep and lasting impressions in the hearts of border residents.

Standing side by side with ethnic minority communities in border areas

On a late afternoon towards the end of 2025, Major Le Van Thien, Deputy Political Commissar of Dak O Border Post, arranged for the post’s mass mobilisation team to continue public outreach among border residents on the Law on Vietnam Border Guard, essential information about the border guards, and newly issued decrees related to the management of the land border area.

According to Major Le Van Thien, mass mobilisation efforts must be further strengthened, as each resident represents a link in protecting national sovereignty and border security. In 2025, officers and soldiers of Dak O Border Post organised more than 390 outreach sessions with over 1,700 participants; delivered 67 hours of broadcasts via the commune's loudspeaker cluster and mobile loudspeakers; and conducted 70 concentrated communication sessions for more than 1,800 attendees. Through these activities, the border guards have actively supported people in sustainable poverty reduction, new-style rural development, socio-economic growth, disaster and fire prevention and response, and participation in various movements and campaigns in border areas. These efforts have strengthened public trust and promoted active cooperation between border residents and the border guard force in safeguarding national sovereignty and border security, as well as in other patriotic emulation movements.

Dieu Mien, a resident of the S’tieng ethnic group in Bu Bung hamlet, Dak O commune, Dong Nai province, shared that in recent times, the family had received support from Dak O Border Post and local authorities to build a new house. They were also guided in vocational training to secure stable employment.

After more than 20 years serving as Party Cell Secretary and Head of Bu Bung hamlet, Dak O commune, Dieu Lom said the border guards have always assisted local people, such as supporting housing needs and visiting each household to encourage children in the area to pursue their studies. Dak O Border Post has also provided rice, instant noodles and many gifts, and supported breeding cattle and goats to help residents develop their livelihoods. People have consistently followed the border guards’ guidance, refraining from crossing the border illegally or engaging in smuggling.

Major Le Van Thien shared: Over the past year, the unit had mobilised hundreds of gifts and scholarships for residents and disadvantaged students. We have also regularly visited hamlets and small settlements to explain the Party and State’s guidelines and policies for border areas and ethnic minority communities, provided guidance on economic development models suitable to local conditions, and coordinated with hamlet leaders, Party cell secretaries and prestigious people to strengthen ties between local authorities, armed forces and the people, creating an effective “tripod” of cooperation.

The border guards’ affection and solidarity with ethnic communities are reflected in close, lasting bonds built through concrete actions of sharing and mutual support. The border guards serve not only as a force defending the nation’s frontier, but also as family members to local people in socio-economic development, the preservation of cultural identity, and the building of an all-people border defense posture, fostering a strong relationship between the military and the people like fish and water.

Dieu Mo, Party Cell Secretary of Bu Ren hamlet, Bu Gia Map commune

The imprint of border guards

As a member of the M’nong ethnic group facing economic hardship, Dieu Thi Thuy in Bu Lu hamlet, Bu Gia Map commune, received direct guidance from officers and soldiers of Bu Gia Map Border Post on farming and livestock practices to improve livelihoods and quality of life. With the direction and support of the border guards, Thuy’s family was able to renovate their ageing cashew plantation and shift to intercropping with coffee. The family’s coffee garden is now flourishing.

Dieu Thi Thuy expressed her joy, saying she deeply trusts and values the border guards for standing alongside the people, helping them overcome difficulties and develop their own economy.

Lieutenant Colonel Dinh The Cong, Deputy Political Commissar of Bu Gia Map Border Post, said the post regularly coordinates with local authorities in socio-economic development activities in the stationed area and in social welfare initiatives. The post has also worked with local authorities to organise a series of programmes such as Border March, Border Classroom, and a Children’s Cultural Festival promoting health and progress towards youth organisations, as well as the Border Guard Haircut model for pupils at Dak A and Bu Gia Map primary schools and Dak Mai Secondary and High school in Bu Gia Map commune. In addition, the post coordinated with agencies, organisations, and forces stationed in the area to complete the elimination of 108 temporary and dilapidated houses in the commune, and worked with the Ho Chi Minh City Border Guard Command and the Bu Gia Map commune People's Committee to inaugurate a community cultural activity facility in Bu Nga hamlet worth 240 million VND.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Ba Duc, military medical staff member of Bu Gia Map Border Post under the Dong Nai Border Guard Command, provides health check-ups for residents of Bu Gia Map commune

In 2025, Bu Gia Map Border Post also supported three disadvantaged but high-achieving students under the “Supporting Children to School” programme, providing 500,000 VND per student per month. This has been a significant source of encouragement for teachers and students in border areas, helping widen opportunities for students in remote and ethnic minority communities to pursue their future.

Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Principal of Dak Mai Secondary and High School, shared that the students received not only material support, such as books and school supplies, but also invaluable moral encouragement. Some students who were previously at risk of dropping out have become more diligent and determined in their studies thanks to the border guards’ assistance.

Community healthcare for ethnic minority residents remains a key focus for the border guard force. In the area, the military-civilian medical station has become a trusted address for local healthcare. Each year, the station receives around 1,000 visits for check-ups and treatment. Dieu En, a resident of Bu Ren hamlet, Bu Gia Map commune, said: “The border guards’ attentive and proactive care has improved the health of border residents, including elderly people like us. Local people are deeply grateful.”

In late January 2026, Dak O Border Post will organise the 2026 programme “Border Guard Spring, Warming the Hearts of Villagers”, featuring free medical examinations and medicine distribution, Tet gift presentations, livelihood support for disadvantaged women’s union members, and scholarships for students under programmes such as “Supporting Children to School”, “Fostering Children of the Border Post”, and other students facing difficult circumstances in the commune.

Major Le Van Thien, Deputy Political Commissar of Dak O Border Post

Tran Quang Binh, Vice Chairman of the Bu Gia Map commune People’s Committee, said Bu Gia Map is a border commune where nearly 75% of residents are from ethnic minority groups, mainly S’tieng and M’nong. The commune is home to four border posts. In recent times, mass mobilisation efforts have been closely coordinated between the Border Guard and local authorities. The border posts have also worked closely with the commune to implement social welfare programmes, improve livelihoods, and help residents achieve better living conditions.

                                                       By Cam Lien – Translated by My Le, Thu Ha