The bond between soldiers and people in border areas

In recent years, officers and soldiers of border posts stationed in Dong Nai Province have carried out the mission of “visiting every alley, knocking on every door, meeting every resident” to bring the Party’s policies and the State’s laws closer to people in border areas, while also providing practical assistance to local communities.

Representatives of the Hoang Dieu Border Gate Station and Hung Phuoc Commune authorities present scholarships to underprivileged students. Photo courtesy of contributor

Following the motto “Three closely attached, four together” (closely attached to the unit, the area, and the Party’s policies; as well as living, eating, working, and speaking the local language together with the people), the border guards’ quiet yet meaningful efforts have strengthened the enduring bond between soldiers and civilians, playing a vital role in maintaining political security and social order in the border areas of Dong Nai Province.

Close to the people, deeply engaged in the area

As introduced by Hoang Dieu Border Gate Station’s leadership (under the Dong Nai Border Guard Command), we met with professional military personnel, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Bien, an officer from the Mass Mobilization Team. With 30 years of service in the border guard force, including 16 years in mass mobilization, Lieutenant Colonel Bien is regarded as one of the most experienced officers in community engagement and has established deep ties with local residents, contributing greatly to border security. Hoang Dieu Border Gate Station is the fifth post where he has served in this capacity.

Lt. Col. Bien shared: “Mass mobilization work in the military requires both flexibility and persistence. Success only comes when you work wholeheartedly and stay close to the people”.

In border areas, depending on the local context, religion, ethnicity, and customs, outreach work must be done sensitively and flexibly. For ethnic minorities with limited literacy, officers simplify information to make it concise, understandable, and practical.

For example, in the past, the S’tieng people used to keep livestock close to their homes, causing sanitation and disease risks. Lt. Col. Bien mobilized residents to move barns farther away to improve hygiene. At first, it was difficult; people were hesitant and skeptical. But with persistence, through the principle of “steady rain soaks the earth”, he and his teammates rolled up their sleeves to build model barns alongside villagers while patiently explaining the benefits of keeping livestock at a distance. They also showed how to use manure as fertilizer to boost crop yields. Gradually, villagers understood and followed suit.

Hoang Dieu Border Gate Station, located in Hung Phuoc Commune, Dong Nai Province, is assigned to oversee a strategically important area along the border. Photo courtesy of contributor

Lt. Col. Bien has also become a “teacher” helping villagers develop their livelihoods. For families struggling financially, he guided them to make better use of idle land by growing grass, building barns, and raising goats, helping them escape poverty and stabilize their lives, contributing to a stronger border community.

He has actively participated in new-style rural development programs and joined with his unit and local authorities in social welfare activities such as the Border post foster children, Supporting students to school, and building Great solidarity houses.

“When soldiers earn the trust and love of the people, mass mobilization becomes easier, especially in ensuring security and order in the area. Every resident becomes our ‘eyes and ears’ in maintaining political stability in the border areas”.

The warm bond between soldiers and civilians

One of the key duties of border officers stationed in local communities is to spread the Party’s policies and the State’s laws among the people. Besides conducting group sessions and using mass media, soldiers also make regular visits to villages to “stay close to and understand the people”, learning their customs to tailor outreach effectively.

Second Lieutenant Phung Van Dai, head of the Mass Mobilization Team at Hoang Dieu Border Gate Station, has been assigned to the post for just over a month, and everything is still quite new to him. Yet, with the guidance of his superiors and comrades, he quickly familiarized himself with the area and the locals.

He recalled: “During my first visit to the village, the locals warmly welcomed me. They offered their best food and drinks. That sincerity made me feel truly at home, as if I were among my own family members. It’s that heartfelt affection that motivates me to do my best for my duties and for the people.”

Dai often joins his teammates to visit the area, attend local Party cell meetings to stay informed, and encourage villagers to obey the law, live civilly, and maintain unity. For families in special hardship, he and his comrades visit frequently, helping repair homes, build animal pens, guide agricultural production, and provide emotional support to help them overcome difficulties.

Strengthening the “people’s hearts and minds posture”

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Huu Long, Political Commissar of Hoang Dieu Border Gate Station, said the unit, based in Hung Phuoc Commune (Dong Nai Province), is responsible for managing a strategically important border area. Therefore, maintaining political security and social order is always the top priority.

Alongside conducting regular patrols to prevent violations, the unit assigns officers to stay embedded in local communities, actively educating residents about the law to raise public awareness. The stationed soldiers also join hands with local forces to help with harvests and disaster recovery. In addition, they coordinate with local authorities to run meaningful programs for disadvantaged residents, such as: Border post foster children, Charity rice jar, Supporting students to school, Cattle for the poor, and Warm border spring for the people.

Officers from Hoang Dieu Border Gate Station’s Mass Mobilization Team visit and talk with village elder Dieu Ret in Bu Tam Hamlet, Hung Phuoc Commune. Photo: An Nhon

In just the first nine months of 2025, the unit mobilized hundreds of millions of dong to support underprivileged students and donated over 350 gifts to poor households, policy families, and the elderly, helping them celebrate Tet with warmth and dignity. These practical actions have not only improved living standards but also strengthened the bond between soldiers and civilians, reinforcing the “people’s defense posture” along the border.

“Officers and soldiers of Hoang Dieu Border Gate Station are like our own children and grandchildren. Whenever storms damage our homes, the Border Guard helps us repair them. Whenever the hamlet needs assistance, they send staff to lend a hand. They also care about cultural, artistic, and sports activities, and pay special attention to our children. Thanks to that, we feel even more united with the soldiers in protecting the nation’s borders”.

“To this day, territorial sovereignty, political security, and social order in our area remain firmly maintained. People’s lives have improved markedly. Above all, residents now have strong confidence in the Party’s policies, the State’s laws, and the leadership of local authorities…” - added Lt. Col. Tran Huu Long.

By An Nhon - Translated by Quynh Nhu, Thu Ha