A pillar of support amidst stormy days.
In his small house in Can Gio commune, Mr. Nguyen Van Mot (48 years old) sits looking out at the sea, his face weathered by the wind from making a living as a fisherman. His family's boat is small and cannot go far, only staying close to shore, so they don't catch much.
His family was classified as near-poor, so his eldest son had to drop out of school in the 10th grade to start working early to help his parents. Unfortunately, he suffered a work accident, losing three fingers, and his health deteriorated, leaving him only able to do light work. His youngest son was still too young to help the family. Amidst countless hardships, the couple still persevered, encouraging their second son to continue his university studies.
During those difficult times of struggling to make ends meet, what always warmed his family's hearts was the compassionate presence of the border guards. Mr. Mot said emotionally, "There were times when I couldn't manage on my own, and the soldiers came to help wholeheartedly. They cared for the lives and livelihoods of the villagers as if they were their own family members. From holidays and festivals to times of hardship, my family always received their care, gifts, and support in terms of means of livelihood."
Leaving Mr. Mot's house, we met Le Hoang Truc, a 12th-grade student at Can Thanh High School. Her father passed away early, and her mother had to leave her hometown to work as a factory worker, saving every penny to send back to her grandparents to support her education. Truc's journey to school is marked by the companionship and protection of border guards. Through the "Helping Children Go to School" program, Truc receives a monthly scholarship of 500,000 VND to buy books and cover her school expenses.
The bond between Truc's family and the green uniform has become even stronger since her brother completed his military service at the Long Hoa Border Guard Post. Truc emotionally shared: “Throughout his two years in the military, my brother always spoke about that time with pride and gratitude. The soldiers also frequently visited our family. That help motivated me to try my best in my graduation exams, study English, and hopefully find a stable job to escape poverty.”
Maintain peace at the harbor entrance.
From Can Gio, we traveled to Long Hai commune to meet Mr. Nguyen Van Nho, a fisherman who has been closely associated with the sea for many years and who is always deeply concerned about the livelihoods of the local people. For Mr. Nho's family, the sea is not only a source of livelihood linked to their fleet of six trawling boats that regularly venture out to sea, but also a place that fosters the responsibility of a Party member and a Party branch secretary in mobilizing the people to strictly abide by the law in marine resource exploitation.
Recalling the time when Vietnam's fisheries sector was given a "yellow card" by the European Commission in 2017, Mr. Nho expressed his admiration for the role of the border guard force. From those early, stressful days until now, despite administrative changes in the area, the border guard officers and soldiers in Long Hai commune have always been the core force in maintaining security and order, protecting fishing grounds, and accompanying local people in venturing out to sea in accordance with the law.
Mr. Nho recounted that border guards, regardless of day or night, rain or shine, persistently stayed in their assigned areas, patrolling and closely monitoring every river, canal, and dock, keeping a close watch on every vessel entering and leaving, especially preventing unqualified vessels from leaving the docks. This thoroughness, decisiveness, and responsibility helped to gradually improve the management of fishing vessels, creating a noticeable change in the fishermen's awareness of law compliance. Fishermen are increasingly aware of regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, thereby working together to protect the "brand" of Vietnamese seafood and preserve marine resources for today and tomorrow.
Caring for people in coastal areas
In the early days of spring 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Border Guard Command coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, many units, and the People's Committees of communes and wards.
They organized many activities to share difficulties, care for, and encourage the people to strive in labor and production, and build a strong coastal border region.
Colonel Do Vinh Thang, Deputy Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City Command and concurrently Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City Border Guard Command, informed that programs such as "Spring Border Guard: Warming the Hearts of Local People" or the National Border Guard Day, organized in the early days of the new spring, not only have the meaning of caring for the well-being of the people, but also contain the affection and sense of responsibility of the Ho Chi Minh City Border Guard, agencies, organizations, Party committees, and local authorities towards the people.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sac-xanh-noi-cua-bien-post840778.html
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