Closely connected to the Northeast border region.

Along with the development of the country, the officers, workers, and soldiers of the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade (Military Region 3) have, over the years, strived to overcome many difficulties and hardships, fulfilling their nhiệm vụ of participating in the construction and development of the economy, culture, and society, consolidating national defense and security in the border areas and remote regions of Quang Ninh province, closely associated with the Northeast border region, building many effective models of combining economy and defense, contributing to improving the lives of soldiers and people.

Standing firm at the border

In a conversation with Colonel Hoang Hai Dang, Deputy Political Commissar of the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade, we learned that the Dong Trieu area in Quang Ninh province was the location where the 327th Brigade (the predecessor of the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade) was established on August 23, 1976. At that time, the 327th Brigade was tasked with training, combat readiness, and economic development.

By July 1978, the 327th Regiment was reorganized into the 327th Infantry Division, directly engaged in combat, combat readiness, and combat support to protect the northern border. Subsequently, the Division shifted its nhiệm vụ to managing and training the reserve mobilization force. In April 1999, the Ministry of National Defense issued a decision to transform the 327th Infantry Division into the 327th Economic-Defense Regiment, returning to the border region of Quang Ninh province to perform combat readiness duties, manage and train the reserve mobilization force, and develop the economy in conjunction with national defense...

Young intellectual volunteers from Forestry Station 42, Economic-Defense Brigade 327, guide households in caring for breeding cows under National Target Program 1719, 2022. Photo: HOANG LAM

"From mid-1999, we marched from Tien Hai district, Thai Binh province, to assembly points along the border of Quang Ninh province. The early days were fraught with difficulties. The terrain was complex, mountainous, and forested, with virtually no roads. The population was sparse, and many areas were uninhabited. There were no barracks or housing, so we had to build temporary shelters; transporting bricks and roofing sheets one by one; clearing weeds along the way to create transport routes. We had to walk all day to reach the market for supplies. There was no clean water, so we had to rely on rainwater and stream water. In winter, bathing in the streams was freezing cold, so we had to drink fish sauce to ward off the cold. But the traditional spirit and motivation of 'Unity - Urgency - Loyalty - Victory' of the Regiment helped us stay on the border, build new barracks, reinforce living quarters, and wholeheartedly carry out our assigned tasks."

"To date, along the entire border line and project area under the management of the Regiment, a comprehensive system of electricity, roads, schools, and medical stations has been established; operating effectively and contributing to the economic, cultural, and social development of the area," said Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Quyet, Deputy Head of the Planning and Staff Department, Economic-Defense Regiment 327, who has been present since the early days of the Regiment in Quang Ninh.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Quyet enlisted in 1992. After graduating from the Army Officer School 1 in 1998, he was assigned to Regiment 42, 327th Infantry Division. When the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade was established, he and his unit moved to the border region of Quang Ninh, stabilizing their lives while organizing training and carrying out their duties. For over 25 years, he has been with the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade, holding various positions, from Deputy Team Leader of Team 6, Forestry Station 156, to Deputy Director of Forestry Station 42, and then Director of Forestry Station 155... He has consistently excelled in his duties, leading and commanding the forestry stations to become leading units of the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade.

According to Mr. Quyet, in order for the unit to stand firm at the border, first and foremost, the unit's Party committee and commanders must be united and cohesive; creative in leadership and management; pay attention to improving the material and spiritual lives of officers and employees; and maintain close ties with the local Party committee, government, and people.

Always adhere to the "3 principles" and "4 principles" in the local area.

"The results we have achieved today are due to the entire unit's successful implementation of the '3-pronged approach' (pronged to the people, the villages, and the local areas) and the '4-together approach' (eating together, living together, working together, and speaking the local language together). As a result, projects have been implemented smoothly, and socio-economic efficiency has been high," Colonel Hoang Hai Dang emphasized.

Currently, the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade is stationed along the Quang Ninh province border, spanning 118.8km by land and 13.2km by sea. To contribute to stability, ensure political security, and maintain social order and safety, the Brigade must have a thorough understanding of the local area, coordinate with local Party committees and authorities to disseminate legal information, guide and support local people in their businesses, and implement effective production and economic development models.

Visiting the integrated farming model of Mr. Bui Van Thoan's family in Luc Phu village, Hai Son commune, Quang Ninh province, we learned that Mr. Thoan reclaimed and improved 3 hectares of land to build his family's economic model. Besides Mr. Thoan's model, there are many other effective models supported by the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade, such as: a 3-hectare garden-forest-house model in Trinh Tuong residential area, Pac Cuong hamlet, Hoanh Mo commune, Quang Ninh province; and a 2-hectare fruit tree planting model of Ms. Nong Thi Chuong's family in Dong Thang village, Hoanh Mo commune... These models all yield high economic efficiency, generating annual incomes of 150 to 200 million VND.

"To build economic and production models, we directed and mobilized working groups, teams, and young intellectual volunteers to disseminate information, provide technical guidance, plan fields and gardens, improve living quarters and livestock pens; support the provision of capital, livestock and crop seeds, and product consumption... Thanks to this, the economic-defense projects implemented by the Regiment have attracted and created jobs for thousands of people, with an average income of 150,000 to 170,000 VND/person/day. Over the 5 years (2020-2025), the entire Regiment also built 11 "effective mass mobilization" models; effectively implemented national target programs on education and training, health, in conjunction with the "Army's joint efforts to build new rural areas" movement; and prevented and controlled diseases, especially Covid-19...", Colonel Hoang Hai Dang added.

The results of the efforts to build a strong and comprehensive unit, participating in the economic, cultural, and social development of the area, have contributed to enhancing the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers, maintaining political security, order, and social safety in the border region of Quang Ninh province. Nearly 50 years of development and growth, the 327th Economic-Defense Brigade has built a glorious tradition, receiving many prestigious awards from the Party, State, and Army, such as: the Third-Class Military Merit Order, two Second-Class and Third-Class Orders of National Defense; and the 42nd Regiment has been awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces...

AUTUMN ROSE FRAGRANCE

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/quoc-phong-toan-dan/gan-bo-voi-vung-bien-dong-bac-848701