Cherry blossoms bloom by the border marker.

At the end of the year, a thick, silvery mist blankets the peak of Pù Hu mountain on the border. A cold wind gently sweeps across the slopes, sending shivers down one's spine, then suddenly warms as the wild peach blossoms, awakened by the early morning sun, burst into bloom. Amidst the hazy mist and soft pink hues, the patrolling footsteps of border guards blend with the laughter and chatter of the highlanders busily preparing for Tet (Lunar New Year).

Mr. Thao Van Ho from Keo Huon village, Nhi Son commune, inspects the condition of the boundary marker.

In a small house halfway up the slope in Keo Huon village, Nhi Son commune, 60-year-old Thao Van Ho, a Mong ethnic man, carefully prepares some drinking water, a few cakes, and some familiar items for his trip up the mountain to check the border markers. Before leaving, he doesn't forget to bring a small branch of blooming peach blossoms. For him, that branch of peach blossoms is like carrying the scent of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) up the mountain.

For over ten years, since border marker 311 on the Vietnam-Laos border was constructed, Mr. Ho has been entrusted by the Command of the Pu Nhi Border Guard Post with the task of caring for and protecting it. Regardless of sun or rain, winter or summer, even on holidays, he regularly treks through the forest and mountains every week, clearing vegetation, cleaning moss and dust, inspecting the condition of the border marker, and recording and reporting even the smallest signs. For him, it's not just a job, but a source of pride. "Protecting border markers is the responsibility and duty of every patriotic citizen. Maintaining the border and boundary markers is not just the job of the Border Guard, but of the entire nation," he said, his voice slow but firm.

Major Vi Van Duan (Keo Huon Checkpoint, Pu Nhi Border Guard Post) has witnessed this perseverance for many years. He said: "Mr. Ho is just one of dozens of respected individuals, including Party branch secretaries and village heads, who are silently taking on the responsibility of caring for and protecting border markers in the Thanh Hoa border region. They work out of a sense of responsibility to the Fatherland, without salary or allowances, and without shying away from hardship. Especially during Tet (Lunar New Year), many put aside family matters to perform their duties."

Border guards from Hien Kiet Border Post, along with local people, hang the national flag in preparation for Tet (Lunar New Year) in Chieng Cam village.

Behind that readiness lies a long and persistent process of civilian outreach work by border guard officers and soldiers, guided by the "four together" principle: eating together, living together, working together, and speaking the local language together. From those quiet days, the all-people border defense posture has been firmly built on the foundation of close military-civilian ties. Villages are more peaceful, and people are united with the Party committees and authorities in developing the economy , eradicating poverty, building new rural areas, and forming "Bright Villages in Border Regions" models.

In Pù Đứa village, Quang Chiểu commune – home to 75 Mong ethnic minority households – the villagers are bustling these days, dressed in colorful traditional clothing, preparing to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year). Just a few days ago, the village's new entrance gate was inaugurated. Lâu Văn Pó, the Party Secretary and Head of Pù Đứa village, excitedly said: "Since being selected by the Border Guard to build a 'Bright Village in the Border Region,' the internal village roads have been concreted, solar-powered streetlights have been installed, a new cultural center has been built, and trees have been planted along the roads. Our village is brighter, cleaner, and more convenient for the villagers to travel."

Joy was evident in Ly Thi Va's eyes as she confidently shared about her "new achievement": learning to read and write in standard Vietnamese. Thanks to a literacy class organized by the Quang Chieu Border Guard Post, she can now read and write on her own. "This year I feel more confident going out to celebrate Tet," she said with a simple yet radiant smile. This year, the number of poor and near-poor households in Pu Dua can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The cassava harvest was good and the prices were high; many laborers working far from home sent money back, making Tet more fulfilling and warm.

Sharing the same enthusiasm, Chieng Cam village, Hien Kiet commune - home to over 500 Thai ethnic minority people - also celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) in a warm atmosphere of "people's solidarity and Party loyalty," imbued with the close bond between the military and the people. The poverty rate has decreased significantly, and many new houses for disadvantaged households and families under preferential policies have been completed according to Directive 22, bringing complete joy to the people in the new spring.

The literacy class was organized by the Quang Chieu Border Guard Station.

Tet (Lunar New Year) at the border is a time of both bustling activity and cautious vigilance, because under all circumstances, the border and boundary markers must be guarded. The Tet holiday is always a time with many potential and complex security risks. Therefore, Border Guard units along the entire border maintain a high level of personnel on duty, staying close to the people and the local area, enjoying the spring festivities while upholding the mission of guarding the peaceful border of the Fatherland. Among those on duty is Private First Class Hoang Van Phuc, a young soldier from Hoang Hoa commune, celebrating Tet on the border for the first time. Far from his family, Phuc cannot hide his pride in being surrounded by the camaraderie of his comrades and the support of the people. "Standing on the front lines, safeguarding border sovereignty is a great happiness for me," Phuc said.

The Pù Nhi market is unusually bustling in the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year). Amidst the familiar goods, branches of mountain peach blossoms burst forth in vibrant pink, signaling the arrival of spring. "Peach blossoms blooming by the border marker" are not only thanks to the warm sunshine, but also nurtured by the sweat of soldiers, the sense of responsibility of the people, and the care of the Party and the State. Therefore, Tet in the border region is not just a Tet in the highlands, but a Tet of sovereignty, of unity, and of faith in a prosperous and peaceful new year.

Text and photos: Ba Phuong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/hoa-dao-no-ben-cot-moc-277167.htm