"For the Peace of the Village" Festival

The "For Peace in the Village" festival series chose Van Ho (Son La province), an area once plagued by drug-related issues and security problems, as its meaningful starting point, contributing to spreading the image of police officers who are close to the people and serve them.

Peaceful bright spots.

In implementing the Ministry of Public Security 's 2026 work program and plan, and to concretize the task of disseminating information to the grassroots level, contributing to building the people's security posture and consolidating national unity, the Public Security Communication Department organized a series of events titled "For the Peace of the Villages".

The first destination chosen was Son La province, a strategic location in the heart of the Northwest region with over 80% of its population being ethnic minorities.

From the "Three Adherences, Four Togethernesses" movement to the "Three Best" movement.

Colonel Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Director of the Public Security Communications Department, said: "The program is a practical activity to concretize the 'Three Best' emulation movement: Most disciplined - Most loyal - Closest to the people' launched by the Ministry of Public Security; at the same time, it demonstrates the spirit of innovation, focusing on the grassroots, and putting the people at the center of the press and communication work of the Public Security force."

Opening ceremony.

The choice of Son La in general, and Van Ho in particular, as the starting point of the journey stems from the fact that this is a land rich in revolutionary traditions, cultural identity, and also a strategically important area for national defense and security.

Over the years, under the leadership of the Party and the State, and with the efforts of local Party committees, authorities, and the police force, this region has undergone many positive changes; people's lives have improved, security and order have been maintained, and many once-difficult villages are now gradually prospering.

In addition, the Son La Provincial Police have implemented many innovative and effective methods in ensuring security and order, building the movement of the entire population protecting national security, as well as conducting propaganda work that is close to the people, responsive to their needs, and dedicated to serving the people.

Colonel Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Director of the Public Security Communications Department, delivered the opening remarks.

"For the peace of the villages" is not only a press and media festival but also a space for connection between the police force, government, press, businesses, and the people; an opportunity to listen to the thoughts and aspirations of the people; and to spread beautiful stories and good models from the grassroots - Colonel Nguyen Thi Thu Hang emphasized.

Within the framework of the program, many exciting activities took place, such as experiencing community cultural spaces, visiting highland markets, making sticky rice cakes, performing bamboo pole dances, throwing pao (a traditional game), and checking in at "Village Smiles"...

"For the Peace of the Villages" is not only a media and press festival but also a space for connection between the police force, government, press, businesses, and the people; an opportunity to listen to the thoughts and aspirations of the people; and to spread beautiful stories and good models from the grassroots.

Colonel Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Director of the Public Security Communications Department

In addition, there are activities to disseminate legal information, encourage the surrender of homemade weapons, support people in accessing digital transformation, and promote OCOP products and local tourism on digital platforms.

From a drug hotspot to a beacon of peace.

From a drug-ridden area, plagued by security and order issues, and economically impoverished, Van Ho has now donned a new cloak of peace and development. This is the journey of transforming an area once considered a "dangerous territory."

The event attracted a large number of local people and tourists from all over.

Ten years ago, the dark shadow of opium and drugs still haunted the memories of many people. When Long Luong was a key, volatile, and most complex area for drugs in Son La, drugs had destroyed the lives of the local people.

At that time, to address the key and complex area of ​​crime and drug-related activities in Long Luong commune, the Party Committee and the Board of Directors of the Son La Provincial Police Department advised the Provincial Party Committee on Plan 279, mobilizing the strength of the entire political system and functional forces to participate.

The Hmong child accompanied her mother to the festival.

After the "drug epidemic," when the problem subsided, the villagers actively engaged in production. The area planted with rice, apricots, and plums gradually increased; livestock farming developed in a commercial direction. Rural roads, built by the people themselves with government support in the form of cement, gradually became longer; the system of schools, village-based schools, and community cultural centers received significant investment from the government, resulting in solid construction and contributing to improving the quality of teaching and learning as well as the spiritual life of the people.

Today, on that once turbulent land, true peace has brought a new look to the remote border regions, contributing to a transformation in the most impoverished highland villages.

In that peaceful scene, the uniforms of the People's Public Security Force stand out prominently, as they silently serve and dedicate themselves day and night.

Locals bring produce from their gardens to sell to tourists at the festival.

The traditional highland market was restored by the former Van Ho district in 2022, located in Chieng Di 2 village, Van Ho commune, near National Highway 6. As scheduled, every Saturday and Sunday, the market becomes bustling, attracting not only locals but also numerous tourists.

These local markets have brought significant income to the people through the consumption of agricultural products, helping them change their mindset and practices; at the same time, they promote the unique cultural features of the local people.

Locals and police officers compete in pounding sticky rice cakes.

At the festival, the market seemed to come alive with new energy. Besides stalls selling local agricultural products, there were also displays from ANTV, the People's Police Newspaper, MobiFone, the Son La Provincial Police, and the local police... Many stalls offered "zero-cost" goods from sponsors, with various gifts for the local people.

In particular, local people received training and experience in livestream selling, increasing the consumption of local products.

A cooking competition and tasting of local cuisine.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Thanh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Ho commune, affirmed that the "For the Peace of the Village" program in Chieng Di 2 village has profound political, cultural, and social significance, is a great honor, and represents special attention to the ethnic minorities in the Northwest highlands in general and Van Ho commune in particular.

This is not just a simple cultural exchange and communication program, but also a great source of encouragement for the local Party committee, government, and people in the process of building peaceful and prosperous villages.

For many days before the event, Major Khong Hoang Anh and the task force of Van Ho Commune Police traversed forests and mountains to reach every village and household to spread awareness and encourage people to participate in the festival. Some villages were hours' walk through the forest from the commune center. Some houses were perched precariously on high mountain slopes. But wherever there were people, there were the footsteps of the commune police officers.

Giving gifts to people at the "0 đồng" (free) stalls.

Sincere and heartfelt appeals, delivered in both the common language and the ethnic minority dialect, helped the villagers understand and eagerly anticipate the festival. Each meeting was a joyful story from the small village. Some people agreed immediately, promising to bring their brocade dresses, forest honey, dried bamboo shoots, and upland rice to participate in the fair.

The "For the Peace of the Village" program in Chieng Di 2 village is a great honor and a special expression of concern for the ethnic minority communities in the Northwest highlands in general and Van Ho commune in particular.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Thanh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Ho Commune

Some households were busy with farming, so the commune police officers had to return several times. However, what was easily noticeable among all the villagers was the joy and anticipation of having a major festival organized right in the middle of their highland village for the first time.

The plum orchards in Muong Di are in harvest season.

At Bản Chiềng Đi 2, where the event took place, it seemed to be taking on a new look. The atmosphere of a highland market was vividly recreated with stalls showcasing the rich cultural identity of the Northwest region.

Here, local people will showcase their agricultural products, traditional handicrafts, and unique cultural characteristics. In addition, there will be exhibition areas for the People's Police force, press, publishing, and film industries.

Sponsors donated bicycles to students.

At the booth offering the exchange of homemade weapons for gifts, Mr. Ly Van Dau, from Sao Do 2 sub-district, Van Ho commune, said that after finding an old muzzle-loading rifle in his field, he brought it in to hand it over. Mr. Dau not only received guidance and advice from the commune police officers on not possessing or using homemade weapons and explosives illegally, but also received gifts in exchange.

Following the event in Son La, the Public Security Communication Department continued to organize the "For Peace in the Villages" festival in the Central Highlands and the Southwest region to ensure a wider reach to people in remote areas.

With its innovative and creative approach, ensuring both political correctness and closeness to the lives of the people, "For the Peace of the Villages" has contributed to fostering trust, consensus, and solidarity within the community. The program vividly demonstrates the spirit of being "closest to the people" as promoted by the Ministry of Public Security's "Three Best" emulation movement.

Mr. Ly Van Dau traded his weapons for gifts.

According to the Public Security Communications Department, starting from Van Ho (Son La), the spirit of the program will continue to spread to many regions across the country; so that each destination contributes to building a bridge of trust between the people and the People's Public Security force.

Following the event in Son La, the festival will continue to hold events in the Central Highlands and the Southwest region to reach a wider audience in remote areas.

From here, the image of the police officer becomes increasingly familiar, responsible, and dedicated to serving the people. Every peaceful village begins with such simple, down-to-earth, and responsible actions.

THANH HA

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ngay-hoi-vi-binh-yen-ban-lang-post962646.html