The recent storms have caused significant damage to Rao Tre. Some roofs were blown off, wooden walls were askew, and trees were uprooted. Among them, Ms. Ho Thi Thien's family suffered the most. Speaking to us, she tearfully recounted: “The wind was so strong, it ripped off the roof. The whole family just huddled together and ran to a relative's house for temporary shelter. Luckily, the soldiers from Ban Giang Border Guard Post and the Ha Tinh Provincial Border Guard Command arrived early and helped rebuild the roof, repairing each roofing sheet. Without them, I would have found it difficult to cope.”

Military doctors in green uniforms provide free medical examinations and medication to the people.

Immediately after the storm, officers and soldiers of the Ban Giang Border Guard Post fanned out to each household to help with the recovery efforts. Some sawed wood, others reinforced roofs, and still others repaired the electrical and water systems. Many soldiers worked from morning until late at night, forgetting to eat, hoping that the villagers would soon have stable housing.

Major Doan Van Tiep, head of the Rao Tre task force, said: “In 1993, upon receiving reports of the discovery of a Chut ethnic group living in isolation deep in the forest, the Ha Tinh Provincial Party Committee established a special task force to patiently persuade the people to leave their caves and establish a new village called Rao Tre. Border guards built 12 sturdy stilt houses, opened roads, and brought rice, supplies, and livestock to the village. In the early days, the soldiers taught them everything from bathing and washing clothes to planting bananas and corn, and building livestock shelters. During the day, they took the villagers to the fields to practice plowing and sowing rice seedlings; in the evening, 48 adults learned to read and write in literacy classes taught by the soldiers themselves.”

Border guards from Ban Giang Border Post guide the people of Rao Tre village in planting trees.

According to Major Doan Van Tiep, the lives of the people in Rao Tre still mainly depend on slash-and-burn agriculture, so after the natural disaster, life became even more difficult. "With the motto 'the outpost is our home, the village is our homeland,' we officers and soldiers are determined to be present promptly, helping the people with even the smallest things. In the short term, we repair roofs and stabilize living conditions; in the long term, we support livelihoods so that people can feel secure staying in their village and on their land," Major Tiep shared.

To help local people develop sustainable livelihoods, the Ban Giang Border Guard Post, in coordination with the local government, donated 1,600 agarwood saplings to households in the village. This type of tree is suitable for the local climate, has high economic value, and promises to open up new development opportunities for the Chut people. Everyone was delighted to receive the lush green saplings. Mr. Ho Xuan Nam, one of the recipients, emotionally shared: “This is the first time my family has received so many good saplings. The soldiers also provided detailed instructions on how to plant and care for them. The villagers are very happy and hope that with an agarwood forest in the future, their lives will improve.”

Beyond providing assistance during natural disasters and contributing to economic development, the soldiers in green uniforms also serve as a strong source of moral support for the people of Rao Tre. They organize free medical check-ups and provide free medicine; assist in repairing village roads; encourage children to attend school; and contribute to maintaining security and order in the border area. In her small house, still smelling of new wood, Mrs. Ho Thi Nam, a household facing particularly difficult circumstances due to a long-term illness, emotionally said: “I am frequently ill, making heavy work very difficult. Whenever I fall ill again, the soldiers come to visit, bring medicine, and encourage me. Having them around makes me feel so warm and comforted.”

Although Rào Tre is small and still faces many difficulties, in the eyes of its people, it is a land brimming with affection. The bond between soldiers and civilians, and between the people, grows stronger through concrete actions. Ms. Hồ Thị Kiên, head of Rào Tre village, said: “The Bản Giàng Border Guard Post always stands side by side with the people. From big things to small things, you always see the soldiers in their uniforms. Thanks to the soldiers, the lives of the villagers are changing every day.”

Amidst the vast Trường Sơn mountain range, the bond between soldiers and civilians in Bản Rào Tre remains as strong as an inexhaustible stream. And in their journey to transform this challenging land, the border guards silently dedicate themselves, working together with the local people to build a new, more prosperous and sustainable life.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/chung-suc-cung-rao-tre-vuot-kho-1019990