Milestone 0 - a one-time visit

We embarked on our journey to conquer Milestone O - A Pa Chai on a day in early spring. Joining us were a group of tourists from Hanoi and some local members. Each of us came from a different place, but we all shared the desire to reach Milestone O, the sacred westernmost point of our country.

Milestone Zero – the intersection of three countries: Vietnam, Laos, and China – is a special landmark that everyone hopes to visit at least once. (Archival photo)

It is known that Milestone 0 is a border marker marking the intersection of the three countries Vietnam - Laos - China, located on the summit of Khoang La San mountain at an altitude of over 1,800m, in A Pa Chai village, Sin Thau commune, about 260km west of the center of Dien Bien province.

After passing through Ta Ko Khu village, Sin Thau commune, we embarked on our final leg of the journey to milestone 0. The route was through a primeval forest shrouded in mist, and according to the Ha Nhi people's calculations, it was still far away, separated by three high mountain peaks and two "saddle" areas.

The vehicle continued to carry our group up the increasingly steep slopes, winding through the gloomy, damp wilderness. On both sides of the road, dense trees and vines twisted and clung to the trunks of ancient trees taller than our eyes. The journey wasn't particularly long, but it was enough for each of us to feel the grandeur of nature in this border region. In the open spaces, looking into the distance, the villages of the Ha Nhi people at the foot of the mountain gradually became smaller, fading and disappearing into the white mist. After traveling nearly 4km by vehicle and climbing over 500 steps, the sturdy Milestone No. 0 appeared before us. Crafted from granite, it stood solemnly on a square base measuring 5m x 5m. The 2m high stone column faced three directions, each side engraved with the name of the country in its respective national language and the national emblem of Vietnam, Laos, and China.

Amidst the vast expanse of mountains and forests, where three borders intersect, the sense of territory is no longer an abstract concept for each person. It is clearly and concretely present, down to every inch of land. "I never thought I'd have the chance to stand in a place where just one step leads to another country..." shared Mr. Tran Cat Luong (a tourist from Hanoi ), a member of the group, while gazing intently at the words "Vietnam" carved on the rocks.

How wonderful it is to stand on the westernmost point, gazing out over the borderlands of our beloved homeland. Before the fluttering national flag, at the border marker bearing the national emblem, everyone feels immense pride, and together they sing the national anthem: "The Vietnamese army marches on, united in heart to save the nation, their footsteps resounding on the long, arduous road..."

The sound of our national anthem echoed through the mountains and forests. Amidst the vast mountain winds, the sound wasn't loud, but it carried far, as if merging with the great wilderness, reverberating from the endless mountain ranges. After singing the national anthem, a few people in our group quietly raised their phones to record this commemorative moment at milestone zero. Everyone wanted to hold the national flag and wave it in the wind; we all seemed to share the same feeling of pride and emotion. "In Hanoi, I've sung the national anthem many times. But here, the feeling is completely different, truly sacred; it makes me feel even more strongly my responsibility to the Fatherland," Mr. Luong added.

Reaching milestone zero, amidst the sun and wind of the vast, undulating mountains, was an unforgettable experience. We had the opportunity to sing the national anthem together at this border junction of our homeland, feeling the melody blend with the wind, echoing through the mountains, igniting in each of us a sense of national pride.

Perhaps, what makes the Zero Milestone in A Pa Chai so special, besides its geographical location where "a rooster's crow can be heard in three countries," is the feeling one gets when standing there, seeing the border no longer just a line on a map. Each person gets to touch the triangular milestone and realize the value of every inch of sacred land of the Fatherland. Although it's quite far from the center of Dien Bien province and the journey to Zero Milestone is not easy, that's precisely what makes the moment each member of the group set foot here even more memorable. The trip becomes a milestone for each person to remind themselves of their love for the Fatherland in their own unique way.

Dien Bien Phu Newspaper

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/moc-so-0-mot-lan-den-a481147.html