Blue stars on the Thu Lum border

Officers and soldiers of Thu Lum Border Guard Station before patrol time.

Our first stop was Pa Thang, a village of 100% Ha Nhi people. In the middle of a misty afternoon, Village Chief Chu Hu Chu told us that 10 years ago, Pa Thang was still poor, the roads were difficult to travel, and people relied only on corn and rice fields. Now, a concrete road runs around the village, and red corrugated iron roofs replace the old thatched roofs.

Mr. Chu Hu Chu said that today's changes are largely contributed by border guards, who always stand side by side with people in economic development and poverty reduction.

In Lo Na village, the story of “brother Viet’s rice” became a beautiful memory. In the years 1992-1997, Mr. Tao Van Viet, Chief of Thu Lum Border Guard Station, brought a new rice variety from Dien Bien to sow for the people, replacing the degraded rice variety. The crop was successful, the rice grains were fragrant and sticky, the people were so happy that they cried and gave it the affectionate name “brother Viet’s rice” to remember his work.

The combined military-civilian medical program is maintained regularly, providing health care for the people.

Lieutenant Colonel Lu Lu Chu, Chief of Thu Lum Border Guard Station, who has been with the border guards for more than 16 years, shared that every step of his growth has been marked by the presence of his compatriots. From Hua Bum Station to Huoi Luong Station, to Ka Lang Station and now Thu Lum. His father was the Deputy Chief of Thu Lum Border Guard Station, so for him, this land is both a mission and a homeland.

Major Nguyen Minh Chuc, Political Commissar, has also been attached to the station for nearly 9 years, since he was a team leader. This is the second time he has returned to Thu Lum as a Political Commissar; from a young man from Hanoi who had just graduated and was still confused, he has now grown up and considers Thu Lum his second hometown.

To raise awareness among the people and the border guards to firmly protect the border sovereignty, every year, Thu Lum Border Guard Station organizes propaganda for thousands of people; mobilizes hundreds of working days to help people harvest crops. The station calls for the installation of a lighting system from Pa Thang to Hon Da Trang, and installs solar-powered lighting for La Si village.

Currently, the unit is sponsoring 10 children in the Project "Army officers and soldiers help children go to school" and 3 children in the Program "Helping children go to school - Adopted children of Border Guard Station", each child is supported with 500,000 VND/month until grade 12.

The unit also organizes experiential activities for many students and teachers; presides over the annual program “Border Guard Spring warms the hearts of the villagers”; and coordinates the implementation of the program “Meals for children”. These are all practical activities, contributing to improving the material and spiritual life, helping people feel secure with border guards in protecting the border.

Officers and soldiers of Thu Lum Border Guard Station help people remove temporary houses, helping people in the border area have solid homes.

Along with socio-economic development, the station focuses on propagating and mobilizing people to participate in self-management of border lines and landmarks. Up to now, 9 self-management teams have been established, making an important contribution to maintaining security and order in the border area. The station mobilized hundreds of officers and soldiers to go to the villages to help people remove 70 temporary houses; support in overcoming natural disasters and maintain good military-civilian medical cooperation.

Village elder Chu Xe Lu, who has spent his whole life working with the border guards, shared: "Thanks to the border guards' help, the traditional Tet of the Ha Nhi people is more joyful, many families have new, spacious houses to celebrate Tet, and people are very excited."

Thu Lum commune currently has 17 villages with more than 5,200 people, of which the Ha Nhi people account for over 90%. Thu Lum Border Guard Station manages 36.245km of border with 15 landmarks (from landmark 19 to 33). Each patrol lasts 5 to 7 days; there are landmarks with thick fog all year round, steep cliffs and no roads like landmark 33. From the center of the station to landmark 33, it takes a whole day to go, so the soldiers carry almost all the necessary supplies in their backpacks like a mobile "general warehouse".

On the rugged border, soldiers in green uniforms still shine silently like “green stars”, contributing to keeping the border peaceful and building a new life for the people in the far north of Lai Chau. Their dedication in each patrol step and each work for the people is creating a solid foundation for the border area, so that the Fatherland’s fence becomes more peaceful and prosperous every day.