The oath to protect the land in Bo Heng

From extreme hardship, Bo Heng has today become a solid pillar on the border of the Fatherland.

Báo Đắk Lắk•26/03/2026

Unforgettable Years

On March 25, 1981, Border Guard Post No. 10, the predecessor of Bo Heng Border Guard Post, was officially established. The establishment of the unit was not only a decision to organize the force but also a strong affirmation of the determination to protect border sovereignty .

In the memory of Major Le Anh Tuan, former Commander of Bo Heng Border Guard Post, during the period 1988-1993, Bo Heng was a true "blank area." Food was scarce, and using "spoiled rice and rotten fish" was commonplace. During the rainy season, the entire unit was almost completely isolated.

Leaders and commanders of the Bo Heng Border Guard Post from different periods reminisce about a glorious era.

But material shortages were only part of the problem; the soldiers of Bo Heng at that time also faced countless dangers. At that time, remnants of the Khmer Rouge from across the border frequently provoked conflict, while the stubborn FULRO forces held their ground in the rugged mountains, seeking to disrupt the peace. The border was never peaceful. Every patrol could become a life-or-death confrontation.

Amidst those dangers, there was an invisible but equally fierce "enemy": disease. Senior Lieutenant Hoang Xuan The, a professional soldier and former medical officer of the unit from 1981 to 1990, still remembers those difficult times. Malaria was rampant, and the forest mosquitoes were dense; at times, almost no one in the unit escaped. Severe cases were carried on foot through the forest for dozens of kilometers, across rivers, before being transported to the hospital by vehicle.

Despite the hardships, absolutely no one laid down their weapons. What kept the soldiers grounded was not just orders, but also willpower, helping the soldiers of Bo Heng stand firm and defend every inch of the border during the most difficult years.

Frontline support - strength from the people's hearts

On November 2, 1989, the Standing Committee of the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee issued Notice No. 38/TB-TV regarding the assignment of localities and units to establish fraternal ties with and support border guard posts. From then on, the movements "For the Frontline Support" and "For the Border Guard Soldiers" spread strongly, creating a widespread people's border defense posture.

Colonel Nguyen Huu Phuc, Commander of Bo Heng Border Guard Post from 2003 to 2008, recounted: “When I took up my duties at the unit, there was no electricity yet, and water still had to be pumped up from the stream using a pump. The water was clear in the dry season, but muddy in the rainy season, and the soldiers had to filter it before they could use it.”

Bo Heng Border Guard Station is coordinating the implementation of a border lighting project in the border area.

It was during those difficult times that the Border Guard Command, the Provincial Party Committee, and affiliated units paid special attention to the soldiers on the front lines. Rainwater storage tanks were built. A clean water supply system was invested in. Electricity, roads, and housing projects were gradually completed, and solar power systems, guesthouses, and garages... sprung up one after another amidst the mountains and forests.

The support from the home front has further motivated border guards to successfully fulfill their political duties. Despite the challenging conditions and high poverty rate in their stationed area, the officers and soldiers of Bo Heng always proactively engage with the local people and villages. They not only guard the border but also act as "agricultural engineers" in military uniform, directly guiding the villagers in economic development, eliminating outdated customs, and building a cultural life.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Cong Thanh, the current station chief, stated: "The oath to defend the land taken by previous generations is a legacy that we must protect at all costs. Defending the land is not just about protecting the border markers, but also about preserving the people's trust and ensuring peace for every home along the border."

Quynh Anh

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/chinh-polit/202603/loi-the-giu-dat-o-bo-heng-3424927/