Understand the language, understand the people

An Giang is a border province with a large Khmer population, accounting for about 9%. As national defense and military tasks become increasingly important, the fact that officers and soldiers of the provincial armed forces understand the customs and language of the Khmer people contributes to strengthening military-civilian solidarity, improving the effectiveness of mass mobilization work, and building a solid people's heart position in the border area.

Delegates discuss the content of the training course. Photo: GIA KHÁNH

Based on that practical requirement, in September 2025, the Provincial Military Command coordinated with Tra Vinh University to organize a Khmer language training course for 50 officers and professional soldiers from affiliated units. The class took place in 2 months, with a scientifically compiled program, combining basic theory and practical communication practice.

During the course, students are taught the Khmer alphabet, pronunciation, common vocabulary in daily communication; some sentences and situations often encountered when working in ethnic minority areas. The atmosphere of the class is lively and serious. Many students, despite their busy work, still take the time to self-study and practice extra hours, demonstrating a spirit of learning and responsibility for the assigned tasks. “Previously, when I went to the Khmer ethnic minority area, communication often had to rely on local officials to translate. Now that I have attended the class, I can directly exchange and listen to the thoughts and aspirations of the people. This helps me get closer to the people, and the mobilization work is much more convenient,” shared Major Nguyen Van Cuong - Civil Affairs Assistant, Defense Command of Region 2 - Long Xuyen.

Right after joining the course, many soldiers boldly used Khmer when interacting with the people, creating closeness and intimacy. Senior Lieutenant Mai Hoang Tu - Political Commissar of Company 3, Battalion 512, Regiment 892 said: "Stationed in Ba Chuc commune, our unit regularly interacted with the Khmer people. We learned basic greetings and inquiries in Khmer, thereby being more proactive when interacting, making the people feel respected and cared for. That greatly contributed to the work of mobilizing, grasping public opinion and coordinating the implementation of policies at the grassroots level."

Lecturer Danh Sol - Tra Vinh University commented: “I found the students to be very serious and have a high sense of responsibility. The soldiers came to class on time, practiced diligently, and were not afraid to express their difficulties with pronunciation or grammar. Some comrades also organized self-study groups to practice communicating in Khmer. With such spirit, I believe that after the course, many of them will be able to communicate at a basic level, serve well in mass mobilization work and cooperate with local authorities.”

According to Colonel Cao Minh Tam - Deputy Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command, equipping officers and soldiers with knowledge and skills in ethnic languages ​​is not only a requirement for mass mobilization work, but also a concrete manifestation of the motto "close to the people, understand the people, trust the people". The organizing committee hopes that after this training course, each comrade will become a solid bridge between the armed forces and the Khmer people, contributing to maintaining political security, order, social safety and consolidating the people's hearts and minds on the border.

The organization of Khmer language training classes not only provides language knowledge but also demonstrates the deep concern of the Party Committee and the Provincial Military Command in building a team of "both red and professional" military officers, meeting the requirements of tasks in the new situation. This is also a creative and practical way of doing things that needs to be maintained and expanded in the coming time. With the spirit of "learning to serve the people", each officer and soldier of An Giang's military is making efforts to study, practice, and is determined to use Khmer fluently in work and life, contributing to building the provincial military increasingly strong, worthy of the trust and love of the people of all ethnic groups in the homeland of heroic Uncle Ton.

GIA KHANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/hieu-tieng-noi-thau-ro-dong-bao-a461689.html