Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huy Hoang, Director of Forestry Station 156 (Economic-Defense Group 327), shared: “Most of the people in the border region are ethnic minorities such as the Dao, Tay, San Diu, and San Chay... their lives are still very difficult. To help the people practically and effectively, we have determined that we must always be close to the people, listen, understand, and help them with what they need and want.”

Officers and staff of Forestry Station 156, Economic -Defense Brigade 327, helped local people build roads.

More than a decade ago, over 118km of border areas in Mong Cai, Hai Ha, and Binh Lieu (Quang Ninh province) still lacked electricity, roads, and schools. However, over the past 10 years, the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade has coordinated the implementation of four major projects, comprising 31 construction items across two economic-defense zones (Binh Lieu-Hai Ha-Mong Cai and Bac Hai Son). These projects range from building inter-village roads, drilling wells, and establishing clean water systems to constructing community cultural facilities such as cultural centers and sports fields, transforming the face of the Northeast region of Vietnam.

To date, 85% of the border roads are inhabited, 90% of the rural road system and 85% of the irrigation canal system have been concreted, and 100% of the communes in the project area have achieved the new rural development goals; there are no longer any poor households, and the number of near-poor households is only about 0.4%. “Before, my village had no roads, and every time it rained, it was muddy, and sick people had to be carried to the hospital. Now we have roads, electricity, clean water wells, a community center that lights up every night, and children can go to school nearby. The villagers are very grateful to the soldiers,” Mr. Chìu Chăn Sềnh from Lục Hồn commune, Quảng Ninh province, shared emotionally.

It is known that, in the period from 2015 to 2025 alone, the unit organized 20 field trips for civilian outreach work, mobilizing more than 4,000 officers and soldiers to participate. In remote villages, soldiers ate, lived, and worked alongside the people; guiding them in livestock farming, cultivation techniques, and disease prevention; helping to build houses, repair roads, and overcome the consequences of natural disasters. Effective civilian outreach models such as "Exemplary Border Residential Areas" and "Bright, Clean, and Beautiful Border Roads" were established, bearing the clear imprint of Ho Chi Minh's soldiers in peacetime. Traditional cultural values ​​were preserved, and outdated customs were gradually replaced by a civilized and progressive way of life.

Colonel Nguyen Huy Phu, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade, stated: “Alongside the achievements, there are still many difficulties: the roads are rough and difficult to travel; many young officers are not yet familiar with local customs and languages; and some production models are not suitable for the climate and soil. But the more difficult the circumstances, the more persistent and determined the officers and soldiers become to excellently complete all tasks, using the trust of the people as a measure of the effectiveness of their work.”

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/xa-hoi/dan-toc-ton-giao/cac-van-de/duong-bien-them-sang-long-dan-them-am-1007538