As the gentle spring breeze rustled through the leaves, we arrived at the barracks of the 5th Division (Military Region 7) and witnessed the unit taking on a new look. A bustling atmosphere of work filled the air, with laughter and chatter mingling with the sounds of hoes and shovels, and calls to each other to water the flowers echoing throughout the units. On the plots of land once familiar with training duties, now ablaze with the vibrant colors of chrysanthemums, cockscomb, sunflowers… The movement of planting and caring for flowers to welcome Tet (Lunar New Year) by the officers and soldiers of the 5th Division has become a lively highlight, showcasing the beauty of military culture and warming the hearts of soldiers during the Tet holiday far from home.

Soldiers of Battalion 4, Regiment 5, Division 5, care for the flowers when the plants are still young.

Following the directives of the Party Committee and the Command of Military Region 7 regarding the organization of a joyful, healthy, safe, and economical Lunar New Year celebration, linked with the "Building a Regular, Green, Clean, and Beautiful Unit" movement and the creation of a military cultural environment, Division 5 launched a campaign to plant and care for Tet flowers from the beginning of October in the Year of the Snake.

Notably, the movement was concretized through plans and targets for each agency and unit. Each battalion and company registered for models such as "Soldier's Flower Garden," "Youth Flower Road," and "Spring Corner in the Barracks," tailored to their specific conditions and mission characteristics.

Soldiers of Battalion 4, Regiment 5, Division 5 tend to the flowers during their break.

Colonel Tran Hoang Giang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the 5th Division, shared: “We determined that planting flowers for Tet (Lunar New Year) is not only to beautify the barracks but also a vivid form of visual education . Through this, we cultivate in the soldiers an awareness of preserving the landscape, a love for labor, a love for nature, and a stronger bond with the unit. This is also a way for officers and soldiers to better feel the atmosphere of the traditional Tet holiday within the military environment.”

Walking along the internal roads of the Division, we witnessed neatly arranged flowerbeds and gardens, scientifically organized. Many units built flower gardens, flowerbeds, and potted plants in the shape of the national flag or slogans celebrating the Party and the Spring Festival. These models showcased the creativity and skillful hands of the soldiers.

Officers and soldiers of Battalion 4, Regiment 5, Division 5 water and care for the spring flower garden.

Battalion 4 (Regiment 5) is one of the exemplary units. On the land in front of the soldiers' quarters, the unit built a "Three Ready" flower garden model: Ready to work, ready to create, and ready to welcome the Spring. The flower garden is divided into small sections, with each company responsible for a section, choosing their own flower varieties and taking responsibility for caring for them until they bloom in time for Tet (Lunar New Year).

First Lieutenant Trieu Van Mong, Political Officer of Company 1, Battalion 4 (Regiment 5, Division 5), said: “We organized the soldiers to discuss and agree on the method themselves. Thanks to this, everyone takes responsibility for their flower bed. The unit also selected experienced officers and soldiers to be the core group to guide the entire unit. At the end of the week, the unit even scores and selects the most beautiful flower bed, considering it one of the criteria for emulation before Tet.”

Officers, staff, and soldiers of Regiment 5, Division 5, happily tend to the flowers during their break.

Besides planting traditional flowers, the units have also boldly experimented with new flower varieties suitable for the soil of the Southeast region. As a result, the barracks are not only vibrant with the colors of spring but also have a modern and youthful feel. Currently, each company of the 5th Division has planted more than 1,500 sunflowers and over 500 other flowers such as marigolds, chrysanthemums, cockscomb, etc., along with many flower beds, potted plants, and miniature landscapes showcasing their beauty.

Corporal Do Thanh Dat, a soldier from Company 1, Battalion 4 (Regiment 5, Division 5), shared: “Planting and tending flowers with my comrades makes me feel like I’m preparing for Tet (Lunar New Year) in our own shared home. Watching the flowers grow day by day makes us feel happier.”

Corporal Tran Minh Sang, a soldier from Company 1, Battalion 4, Regiment 5, expressed: “The Tet flower planting activity is also an opportunity for us to learn life skills and cultivate perseverance and meticulousness. From selecting seeds, sowing, watering to pest control, everything is guided attentively by officers, combining hands-on instruction and fostering the self-discipline of each individual.”

Colonel Tran Hoang Giang affirmed: "The Tet flower planting movement in the 5th Division is always closely linked to the central political task. Units have arranged their labor time appropriately, without affecting training or combat readiness. Through this activity, the sense of organizational discipline and responsibility of the soldiers has been significantly enhanced. Planting flowers and maintaining the landscape is part of building a regular army. When the barracks are green, clean, and beautiful, the soldiers' morale is more stable, and the quality of training is also improved."

In addition, the units also linked flower cultivation with civilian outreach work. Some flower varieties were propagated and donated to local communities, families of policy beneficiaries, and schools in the areas where they are stationed, contributing to strengthening the solidarity between the military and the people.

As the flowers begin to bloom, the barracks of the 5th Division become even more vibrant. Amidst the dazzling spring colors, the soldiers continue their diligent training, guard duty, and readiness to receive and complete any assigned task. The blooming flowers not only herald the arrival of spring but also represent the optimistic, cheerful, and resilient spirit of the officers and soldiers.

The movement to plant flowers for Tet (Lunar New Year) in the 5th Division has become a lasting cultural tradition. From barren land, spring has brought forth sprouts, blossoms, and fruit. This is the spring of faith, responsibility, and camaraderie in the heroic 5th Division.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/sac-xuan-tu-nhung-vuon-hoa-chien-si-su-doan-5-1021295