The Tri Lễ Border Guard Post is tasked with managing and protecting a long stretch of border, covering a vast area predominantly composed of high mountains. Many ethnic minority groups live in this border region, including hundreds of Hmong households in areas such as Mường Lống and Huồi Mới, far from the commune centers, with difficult access roads, and some areas lacking access to the national power grid, resulting in many hardships for the people.

Besides socio -economic difficulties, some border areas also face the risk of being exploited by individuals smuggling drugs from across the border into the interior for consumption. Especially during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), when travel and trade demand increases, these individuals often take advantage of the rugged mountainous terrain, trails, and unofficial routes to carry out their activities.

Working groups from the Tri Lễ Border Guard Station coordinated the distribution of gifts to the people in the border village.
Donating warm clothes to students in remote border villages.

In response to mission requirements, the Tri Le Border Guard Station established border guard task forces in the villages to directly monitor the situation, coordinate with local Party committees, authorities, and forces to maintain security and order, and protect border sovereignty . At the Muong Long village border guard task force, Lieutenant Colonel Va Ba Tu and his comrades celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) in the area; the task force in the middle of the Mong ethnic minority village was neatly cleaned, with the national flag and wild peach blossoms hanging, creating a warm spring atmosphere.

Lieutenant Colonel Va Ba Tu shared that after many years working on the border, he has become accustomed to celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) away from his family. "Tet is a sensitive time; if we are careless, criminals can take advantage. Therefore, the team members are clearly prepared to stay and stay in the villages and areas, avoiding being caught off guard in any situation," he said.

The Border Guard task force in Huoi Moi village welcomed a Lao border protection unit that came to wish them a Happy New Year.

At the Huoi Moi Border Guard Task Force, led by Lieutenant Colonel Lo Van Tri, he and his comrades also celebrated Tet in a warm atmosphere of solidarity between the military and the people. In the days leading up to Tet, officers and soldiers coordinated with the village authorities to disseminate legal information, urging people not to listen to bad influences, and not to participate in or abet illegal activities, especially those related to drugs.

The year-end village meetings thus became lively, with villagers proactively providing information and cooperating with the soldiers in maintaining security. During Tet (Lunar New Year), knowing that the soldiers were staying on duty, many families came to visit the task force to offer New Year greetings. The firm handshakes and simple wishes amidst the cold mountains became a great source of encouragement for the border guards.

Lieutenant Colonel Ho Thanh Quang, Political Officer of Tri Le Border Guard Station, visited and extended New Year greetings to the working group in Huoi Moi village.
Officers from the Border Guard Task Force in Muong Long village participated in Lunar New Year celebrations with the local people.

Not only the local people, but also the working groups of the Tri Le Border Guard Post received attention and New Year greetings from the Lao border protection forces in the opposite area. Speaking with us, Lieutenant Colonel Ho Thanh Quang, Political Officer of the Tri Le Border Guard Post, said: “The unit clearly understands that during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), we must be even more vigilant and proactively monitor the situation. The working groups in the villages maintain a strict readiness for combat, increase patrols and controls, and coordinate closely with functional forces and the people to prevent any security hotspots.” It is known that the unit always pays attention to ensuring that officers and soldiers on duty far from the unit receive full Tet benefits and standards.

Before the peak of the Tet holiday, the Party Committee and the Command Board of the Border Guard Post organized a meeting to encourage and brief the soldiers on their duties, helping them to feel at ease. For the families of soldiers in the rear, the unit coordinated with local authorities to visit and provide support, ensuring that officers and soldiers could confidently remain stationed on the front lines. In addition, the unit also coordinated with organizations and individuals to donate gifts so that the people could celebrate Tet fully.

During the Lunar New Year holidays, border guards silently carry out their duties to ensure peace in the remote border villages of Tri Le commune. Spring in the border region may lack family reunions, but it is filled with camaraderie and the trust of the people.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/don-tet-cung-nhan-dan-ban-bien-gioi-1027147