Economic-Defense Corps 92 mobilizes youth volunteers to help people harvest summer-autumn rice before the rainy season. Photo: Hoang Trung

In May 1999, the 92nd Military Economic Group was established from the 92nd Regiment, 337th Division (Military Region 4) with the challenging mission of reclaiming and building the A So Military Economic Zone in the communes of A Roang, Lam Dot, Huong Phong and Dong Son. At that time, the first soldiers to set foot on this land faced numerous difficulties. One of the biggest obstacles that officers and soldiers had to face was the water source contaminated with dioxin due to the effects of the war. Unable to use underground water, both soldiers and civilians had to travel many kilometers every day to get water from small streams in the forest.

Recalling the first days in A So land, Captain, professional soldier Dang Van Quyen shared: At that time, this area had no electricity, the roads were almost just trails. We and the people had to walk for kilometers to get water from streams for daily use. “To approach and understand the people, we applied the motto “3 stick, 4 together, 6 erase” – that is, stick to the people, stick to the village, stick to the target; eat together, live together, work together, speak the same language as the people; and eliminate hunger, eliminate lack of clothing, eliminate illiteracy, eliminate information illiteracy, eliminate diseases, eliminate lack of clean water”, said Mr. Quyen.

Over the past 25 years, the 92nd Military Economic Group has made continuous efforts to help people improve their lives. From small tasks such as building livestock barns, building toilets, supporting farming techniques, building livestock barns, to improving living habits and promoting family planning...

Not only helping people improve their living conditions, the 92nd Military Economic Group has also implemented many effective community models, contributing to building the material and spiritual life of the people. Models such as "Bringing the law to the people in two languages", "Green Banh Chung for the poor", "Zero-dong bread", "Party cells and party members helping poor households", "The 92nd Group's soldiers are attached to the villagers", "Swimming classes and drowning prevention skills for children" or "Electricity to light up the village" have brought positive results. Thanks to these models, people not only have access to essential services but also receiveeducation about law, culture and health.

The Military Medical Clinic of the 92nd Military Economic Group has become a trusted address for people in medical examination and treatment. Every year, the clinic organizes medical examinations and treatments for nearly 3,000 people, helping people overcome many health difficulties.

With what has been achieved, A So today is no longer a poor, backward land. This place has become a developed land, with modern infrastructure, people's awareness is increasingly raised and life is significantly improved.

Looking back on the 25-year journey, Captain Quyen shared: We are proud of what we have achieved in A So. All the difficulties and hardships we have experienced have been rewarded with the changes in this land and the joy of the people.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of A Luoi district, proudly talked about the development of this area: In the past, A So was an extremely difficult area. Thanks to the support of the 92nd Economic-Defense Group, now 100% of households have electricity, clean water, and there are no more hungry households; the poverty rate has decreased sharply, and children of school age can all go to school. "The construction of infrastructure such as roads, schools, and medical stations has significantly changed the lives of ethnic minorities in the area. The presence of the 92nd Economic-Defense Group has contributed to maintaining security and order, creating a foundation for A Luoi district to escape poverty by 2024," Mr. Hai shared.

Thanks to the support from the National Target Program on Socio-Economic Development for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-2030 period, along with the contributions of all levels, sectors and especially the cadres, employees and young volunteers of the A So Economic-Defense Group, this land has truly "revived". Up to now, 4 communes in the project area have basically no more makeshift houses; 100% of households have access to grid electricity and clean water; there are no more hungry households, the poverty rate has decreased sharply, and all children of school age can go to school. Infrastructure such as inter-village roads, schools, cultural houses, and medical stations have been upgraded and newly built. The poverty rate in the 4 communes in the project area has decreased significantly, political security and social order have been ensured...

These achievements come not only from the efforts of the 92nd Military Economic Group but also from the bond and trust between the army and the people. “They are not only soldiers, but also our friends and teachers,” a local resident confided.

Thai Chau