Bringing knowledge back to our homeland.

In the early days of the rainy season, Giang Chau village, Quang Tan commune, Lam Dong province, is immersed in the characteristic red basalt color of the Central Highlands. Amidst the vast expanse of lush green coffee hills, Le Doan Anh Tuan is inspecting a model of intercropping fruit trees in the coffee plantation with the villagers. This young man was born and raised in Giang Chau village. Therefore, when he was selected to participate in Phase 2 of Project 174 of the 16th Army Corps for the period 2024-2026 and assigned to Farm 720, a unit stationed in his hometown, it was not only a source of pride but also a responsibility for Anh Tuan.

“I witnessed the villagers working hard all year round, but their production was mainly based on experience, so the efficiency wasn't high. When I had the opportunity to participate in the project and work at Farm 720, right where I grew up, I always hoped I could help the villagers change their way of thinking and doing things so that their lives would be better,” Anh Tuan shared.

Members of the Youth Volunteer Team, along with officers and youth union members of Farm 726 (Regiment 726) and youth union members of border guards and police, participated in building streetlights along the border.

Thanks to his understanding of local customs and traditions, Anh Tuan quickly became a bridge between the unit and the people. He and other Youth Volunteer Team members went to each household to provide guidance on crop care and livestock farming; encouraged young people to participate in local movements; disseminated legal information; and guided the people in accessing digital transformation.

In addition to supporting economic development, the team members also participate in building new rural areas, repairing roads, cleaning the environment, clearing drainage ditches, renovating schools, cultural centers, and other public works in the area.

In the second phase of Project 174, the 16th Army Corps selected 28 volunteer youth team members with qualifications ranging from vocational school to university level, and assigned them to farms 717, 719, 720, and 726. These team members participated in many practical models such as intercropping fruit trees, breeding cattle and goats, providing technical guidance on caring for coffee, macadamia, cashew, and rubber trees; and simultaneously implemented activities such as "Lighting up the Border Region," "Popular Education," and "Spring on the Border - A Warm Tet for the Military and the People," creating a positive ripple effect in remote areas.

Working in challenging areas also provided an environment for team members to mature in terms of political acumen and sense of responsibility. At the end of Phase 2 of Project 174, 27 team members attended a training course on Party awareness; among them, 4 team members were honored to be admitted into the Communist Party of Vietnam . Le Doan Anh Tuan is one of those outstanding individuals.

Members of the young intellectual volunteer team, along with officials and youth union members, participated in harvesting coffee at Farm 719.

"Being a member of the Party right here in my hometown is a great honor for me. This also motivates me to continue to be involved in the area, contributing to helping people develop the economy and build a better life," Anh Tuan said emotionally.

After completing Phase 2, Anh Tuan volunteered to participate in Phase 3 of Project 174, hoping to continue supporting the people in the border region who still face many difficulties.

Contributing to building a "people's support base"

Colonel Vu Van Dinh, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of the 16th Army Corps, affirmed: “Project 174 not only contributes to socio-economic development but also firmly consolidates the ‘people's support’ in border areas. Despite their young age, the Youth Volunteer Team members always demonstrate a pioneering spirit, responsibility, and proactive approach to grassroots work, staying close to the people to carry out their tasks; through practical experience in difficult areas, many comrades have clearly matured in terms of political acumen and work style.”

Over the past two years, the team members have coordinated with local authorities to organize many practical social welfare activities such as free medical examinations and medication distribution, disease prevention and control awareness campaigns, blood donation drives, participation in repairing public works, cleaning martyrs' cemeteries, schools, and cultural centers...

Team member Le Van Tuan (seated on the left) and other members of the Youth Volunteer Team instruct workers on coffee cultivation at Farm 720.

In particular, the team members also participated in building the "Digital Literacy for the People" model, guiding people to use smartphones and access online public services; and building a bilingual legal awareness model (standard Vietnamese and the language of the ethnic minority in the area where the unit is stationed), helping the people raise their legal awareness and be vigilant against distorted narratives that sow discord and undermine national unity.

According to the plan, in Phase 3 of Project 174 (2026-2028), team members will continue to focus on supporting people in economic development, building sustainable poverty reduction models; participating in digital transformation and building "digital citizens"; coordinating the construction of new rural areas, protecting the environment, maintaining security and order, and disseminating legal information to people in remote, mountainous, and border areas.

When the people believe, the village changes.

Sitting in front of the village's cultural center, looking at the concrete road built by the soldiers, village elder Giàng A Lừ of Giang Châu village couldn't hide his joy when mentioning the changes in his homeland: "Before, roads were difficult, people mainly worked according to old habits, and many young people weren't willing to work hard. Thanks to the soldiers of the 16th Army Corps who brought us here to settle, and the guidance from officers and youth volunteers on farming, livestock raising, and applying new techniques, the lives of the people have improved significantly."

According to the village elder, what makes the villagers cherish the team members is not only their knowledge but also their sincerity and approachability. "The young people treat the villagers like family. Even in rain and wind, they come down to the village to help repair roads, harvest crops, guide young people in learning trades, and disseminate legal information. The people appreciate them because they live with genuine sincerity," the village elder shared emotionally.

Youth Union members participate in building the grounds of Farm 717 (717th Regiment).

The people's trust is the clearest evidence of the effectiveness of Project 174. Through simple yet practical actions, the Youth Volunteer Team members have contributed to changing the face of many difficult border areas; bringing knowledge, science and technology, and the light of a new life to every village.

Late in the afternoon, amidst the vast green of the coffee hills in the border region, the laughter and chatter of the villagers echoed around the cultural center. The Youth Volunteer Team members were preparing to head down to the villages. They brought with them not only knowledge and youthful enthusiasm, but also the responsibility, faith, and ideals of dedication of young people in the military environment.

In the future, when the roads in the border region widen, the coffee harvests ripen, the rubber plantations are lush and green, the cashew, pepper, and durian hills are laden with fruit, and the villages flourish, the people here will still remember the Youth Volunteer Team members who silently dedicated their youth to the border, sowing knowledge and fostering faith. Those quiet footsteps are contributing to the continuation of the beautiful story of the image of the Ho Chi Minh Army in the new era – close to the people, understanding the people, and dedicating themselves to the people; so that the bond between the military and the people will always shine brightly in the remote border region, and the nation's defenses will remain steadfast.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/dau-chan-tri-thuc-tre-o-binh-doan-16-1040206