Dong Nai reporter tells story of working in the far west of the country

Having worked as a journalist for nearly 20 years, traveling on many routes from the South to the North, but for us, the most impressive and emotional were the 5 days to the westernmost point of the country in Dien Bien province.

In 2024, when the whole country turns to Dien Bien to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory and respond to the National Tourism Year. We, reporters from the East, were able to come and feel the heroic echoes of the "resounding five continents, shaking the world" victory of the Vietnamese revolution and immerse ourselves in the roads and forests of Ban flowers in the mountains and forests of the Northwest.

Students in Ma Thi Ho commune, Muong Cha district, Dien Bien province have to go to school from several kilometers to dozens of kilometers away, so they have to bring their own food and school supplies.

Encountered images of Hmong women on the way to the far west.

Starting from Dien Bien Phu city, we began our 5-day journey to the westernmost point of the country on a motorbike, with 2 light bags of clothes tied tightly behind. Having traveled on the Northwest routes in Ha Giang , Moc Chau, Son La... we were still surprised, amazed and filled with emotions throughout the 250km journey to the westernmost point when we were immersed in the natural space, majestic mountains, and experienced the winding, twisting roads.

Clothing store in Hmong residential area in Muong Cha district.

Not only did we experience the routes, we also heard, saw and almost touched the lives of ethnic minorities throughout the journey when passing through the districts: Dien Bien, Muong Cha, Nam Po, Muong Nhe.

We understand the arduous journey to school for students from primary school, they not only bring books but also have to pack rice, chairs, and chalk boxes if they are on duty in class. Passing through the villages, we lived like the locals and were warmly welcomed as children of the village returning from far away.

Harvesting agricultural products and selling to traders in Nam Po district.

Thai ethnic women at Na Su community tourism village in Phin Ho commune, Nam Po district.

Arriving at the westernmost point, the final destination of our journey of discovery welcomed us with an impressive space of brilliant colors of Ban flowers. A Pa Chai is the westernmost point of the country, this is the border intersection of 3 countries Vietnam, China, Laos, known as the place where "a rooster crows, all 3 countries can hear", mainly concentrated in the Ha Nhi ethnic group and some other ethnic minorities.

A rare street vendor on the way to the far West, in Muong Nhe district.

A Ha Nhi ethnic woman is sewing a shirt in front of her house. This is also a familiar image when coming to the far West because for ethnic minorities, sewing is an indispensable job for ethnic minority women in Dien Bien.

Arriving at the westernmost point, the final destination of our journey of discovery welcomed us with an impressive space of brilliant colors of Ban flowers. A Pa Chai is the westernmost point of the country, this is the border intersection of 3 countries Vietnam, China, Laos, known as the place where "a rooster crows, all 3 countries can hear", mainly concentrated in the Ha Nhi ethnic group and some other ethnic minorities.

Reporter Binh Nguyen took a souvenir photo in front of A Pa Chai Border Post, where Border Guard soldiers are stationed day and night to guard the westernmost border of the Fatherland.

Dong Nai Newspaper reporters took souvenir photos with Border Guards before climbing the last 500 steps to the westernmost border marker on the top of Khoan La San mountain.

The border marker was jointly built by Vietnam, China and Laos, located on the top of Khoan La San, over 1,800 meters high, in Sin Thau commune, Muong Nhe district of Dien Bien province. The marker was built in 2005, with three sides bearing the national emblems of the three countries.

Happy and proud to raise the national flag at the most remote border marker.

We ended our journey of discovering the far West with pride and joy after officially setting foot on the border marker of the Fatherland, learning about new lands, understanding more about the lives of people in the border areas and loving our Fatherland more.

This is also an unforgettable impression and memory of our journey as a journalist. After the trip, we had many articles about the Northwest region in the Dong Nai Weekend Newspaper to share with readers the destinations, people, lands, historical relics, local specialties, etc.

Ngoc Lien - Binh Nguyen

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/tin-moi/202506/phong-vien-dong-nai-ke-chuyen-tac-nghiep-o-cuc-tay-to-quoc-06b094d/