In the scorching sun, every patrol step, every guard duty shift is a test of the will and courage of the soldiers on the front lines of the Fatherland.
In the midst of the "battlefield" of the border region.
The journey of over 100 km from Pleiku ward to Ia Lop Border Guard Post was enough to fully appreciate the "distance" and "difficulty" of the border region. The road was less bumpy, no longer shrouded in red dust, but the sun was still scorching, and the wind blew like hot air.
On either side were dry, parched forests, their branches gray and silvery, the land cracked and parched. During this season, the trees had almost stopped growing, and the landscape was shrouded in a harsh hue.
In that setting, the Ia Lốp Border Guard Post quietly emerged beneath the forest canopy. We were greeted with a firm handshake from Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Hiep, the Post's Political Officer – a simple joy of a soldier on the border when someone comes to share and listen.
The barracks, built over two decades ago, have many dilapidated features, but they remain neat and tidy, clearly demonstrating the discipline and order of the soldiers.
Following the patrol team, we arrived at milestone 40 - an important landmark on the national border adjacent to Ozatung commune (Oyadav district, Ratanakiri province, Kingdom of Cambodia).
The landmark stands tall, becoming a sacred symbol of national sovereignty . The Ia Lốp Border Guard Post is tasked with managing and protecting nearly 15 km of border, with two checkpoints at Suối Pa and Suối Đen, located 7-10 km from the barracks.
Living conditions at the checkpoints are still very difficult. The Suoi Den checkpoint, in particular, lacks grid electricity and relies entirely on solar energy. During prolonged rainy days, the lack of sunlight makes daily life and communication very challenging.
"With prolonged rain and insufficient electricity, we have to conserve every bit," Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Hiep shared.
In the midst of the scorching heat, even standing still is enough to drench you in sweat, yet the patrols continue with steady steps. Lieutenant Hoang Duc Manh - Team Leader of the Armed Forces and Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union - said: "The officers and soldiers are accustomed to the harsh weather and high intensity of work. We maintain regular patrols, staying close to the area to promptly detect and handle situations, avoiding being caught off guard or surprised."
In what is considered the "hottest place," camaraderie and fellowship become crucial pillars of support. Private Rơ Châm Luyệt - from the Armed Team of the outpost - shared: "In the first few days after arriving at the unit, the heat here made me quite tired, but thanks to the encouragement and support of my comrades, I gradually adapted and became more steadfast in my duties."
In addition to successfully fulfilling their duties in managing and protecting the border, the officers and soldiers of Ia Lốp Border Guard Post also proactively engage in agricultural production to improve their living standards.
Lieutenant Nguyen Quoc Toan - Head of Staff and Administration Team, led us on a tour of each agricultural area. Right in front of the barracks gate was a vegetable garden and a fish pond; behind it were an orchard and a livestock and poultry breeding area, all neatly and scientifically arranged.
Despite the sandy soil conditions, harsh dry seasons, and frequent flooding during the rainy season, the vegetable garden still maintains over 30 varieties of vegetables and fruits, supplying approximately 200-250 kg of greens to the kitchen each month.
In addition, the unit has a livestock farm with over 60 pigs, 38 cows, and hundreds of poultry; along with two fish ponds with various species such as grass carp, tilapia, common carp, and snakehead fish… Thanks to proactively securing local logistical resources, the soldiers' living standards have improved, and the health rate of the troops consistently remains above 98%.
A pillar of support at the border
The difficulties faced by the border guards in Ia Lốp stem not only from the harsh climate but also from the vast, remote area and scattered population. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Hiep reported that the unit is responsible for two villages, Ring and Khon, with 207 households and over 1,000 inhabitants.
While Ring village – also known as the youth settlement village – is about 10 km from the unit, making travel relatively convenient, Khon village – formed from the Suoi Khon residential cluster – is much more remote, with a distance of over 30 km.
Under these circumstances, border guards not only fulfill their duty to protect national sovereignty but also become a pillar of support for the people. Based on the specific characteristics of the area, the Party Committee and Command of Ia Lốp Border Guard Station have implemented many grassroots-oriented models.
Two party members were assigned to participate in activities at village party branches; 17 party members were responsible for 45 households, regularly staying in the area and providing timely support, thereby contributing to strengthening the political system and enhancing the military-civilian relationship.
In addition, the "Supporting Children to School - Children Adopted by Border Guard Posts" program has been effectively maintained, becoming a support system for disadvantaged students. To date, the unit has sponsored 5 children with a total funding of over 376 million VND; and supported 7 children under the "Army Officers and Soldiers Supporting Children to School" project with 7.4 million VND/child/year. Besides providing material support, officers and soldiers also regularly visit and encourage the children, helping them to have more motivation to study.
A highlight of the community outreach work is the "Literacy Class" model in Khon village. From 2023 to the present, the unit has organized three classes right in the village with 45 students, taught directly by border guard officers. The people not only learn to read and write Vietnamese and perform basic calculations, but also receive information on the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws.
The effectiveness of the model was recognized when, at the end of 2025, the unit was awarded a commendation certificate by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee as a model of "Skilled Mass Mobilization" for the period 2020-2025.
Major Nguyen Van Luan - Head of the Mass Mobilization Team, was honored by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union as an outstanding teacher in the "Sharing with Teachers" Program in 2025.
Through concrete and persistent actions, the people's support in border areas is increasingly strengthened. This is a crucial foundation for protecting sovereignty early and from afar, through the close bond and consensus between the military and the people.
***
Leaving Ia Lop Border Guard Post as the sun was setting behind the dipterocarp forests, the heat still lingered in the wind. But what remained was not just the harshness of nature, but the image of the border guards, silent yet resilient.
Overcoming adverse weather conditions and numerous difficulties, for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025), the unit has excellently completed its tasks, earning the title of "Unit of Victory".
In a place dubbed the "hottest place," they persevere, becoming "living landmarks" on the front lines of the Fatherland - day and night guarding the border, nurturing the people's trust with responsibility and love for the country.
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/giu-bien-gioi-giua-chao-lua-ia-lop-post586025.html
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