Here, Tet (Lunar New Year) arrives slowly. Not with the sound of fireworks or the hustle and bustle of life, Tet in the mountains comes with a quiet reflection after months of soldiers and officers clinging to the forests and mountains, carrying out the task of searching for and collecting the remains of fallen soldiers. It's a Tet without much outward display of joy, but warm in its own way, thanks to the soldiers who silently perform this duty of gratitude.

According to the plan, in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, Team K93 will temporarily suspend its field search and recovery efforts for the remains of fallen soldiers. The break is not long, but it is enough for the team members to recover their health and morale after extended missions in rugged mountainous terrain and harsh weather conditions. This is also an opportunity for the unit to focus on consolidating barracks, taking care of the soldiers' well-being, and preparing for the traditional Tet holiday.

The K93 Team's barracks have taken on a new look thanks to the skillful decorating efforts of the soldiers.

These days, the K93 Team's barracks seem to have taken on a new look. The living quarters, mess hall, and common areas are cleaned thoroughly. The lush green vegetable gardens are carefully tended. In front of each row of buildings, the national flag is neatly hung, standing out against the clear blue sky of the Tinh Bien mountains. A few apricot blossom trees are decorated solemnly in front of the houses, not many, but enough to signal the arrival of spring. The quiet before the New Year does not make the officers and soldiers forget their duties. On the contrary, it is a time for each person to reflect on the journey so far, think about the unfinished tasks, and prepare themselves for the journey ahead.

The Tet meal at Team K93 wasn't elaborate, nor was it much different from a regular meal, but it was prepared with more care. The team members cooked together and shared the work. The atmosphere at the meal was therefore warm and intimate. Stories about family and hometown were mentioned more often during these days.

Soldier Tong Thanh Huy confided: "This is my first Tet away from home, and I feel a little sad. But these days I'm on holiday, the barracks are spacious, and we're all together, so I feel warm. Here, the unit is also my home." This simple statement partly reflects the common feelings of many officers and soldiers of Team K93, who are used to celebrating Tet away from their families.

In the peaceful atmosphere of the barracks, everyday moments become precious. Some take the opportunity to call home, checking on their parents, wives, and children. Others quietly sit and gaze towards the mountains, where after Tet (Lunar New Year) they will begin long journeys and arduous searches. Although fieldwork has temporarily ceased, the task of searching for and collecting the remains of fallen soldiers remains ever-present in the minds of every officer and soldier of Team K93. Maps, grave site diagrams, and related documents are reviewed. Plans and strategies for the post-Tet mission are discussed meticulously.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Minh Thong, Commander of Detachment 3, shared briefly but resolutely: “We’re just resting for a few days to regain our strength. After Tet, we’ll be back on the road. This job doesn’t allow us to slow down for long.” These simple words embody the enduring sense of responsibility of soldiers engaged in special operations, a job that demands patience, meticulousness, and even silent sacrifice. For them, each trip is not just a mission, but also a journey of continuing camaraderie, a way to restore the names of those who perished in the war.

The house containing the remains of fallen soldiers was cleaned by the soldiers of Team K93 in preparation for Tet (Lunar New Year).

For many officers and soldiers of Team K93, celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) away from home has become commonplace. Some have spent many years celebrating the holiday at their unit. Some have young children who haven't yet understood why their fathers are often absent during Tet. The Tet greeting calls are usually brief, but filled with heartfelt emotions. Soldier Tran Van Vu Linh shared: "Everyone misses home. But that's the unit's duty; our families understand and support us, so we can focus on our work with peace of mind."

It is this understanding that has become the spiritual anchor for the soldiers in the mountainous border region to persevere in their work. Tet in the mountains is not a time for complete rest. It is a time of preparation – preparing health, spirit, and plans for new journeys; preparing for the continued search for comrades who sacrificed their lives for the Fatherland.

In the spacious barracks nestled amidst the mountains of Tịnh Biên, spring arrives gently. A spring breeze blows through the rows of buildings. The national flag flutters in the new sunlight. The soldiers of K93 celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) with serenity and faith in the mission ahead. And after Tet, from the mountains of Đất, these soldiers set off again, continuing their silent but meaningful journey – a journey to find their comrades, to find fulfillment for the springs left unfinished during the war.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/tet-o-nui-dat-1026589