Colonel Hoang Minh Hung, Commander of the City Border Guard, presents Tet gifts to the people.

Complete joy

In the bustling atmosphere of the village preparing for Tet (Lunar New Year), at the entrance to the small alley of Trung Kien village, Chan May commune - Lang Co district, an elderly man, dressed in a new, neat, and perfectly pressed suit, had an expectant look on his face and a hopeful smile. This was Mr. Tran Minh Huu, 98 years old, a veteran and a Party member with 75 years of Party membership. As soon as he got off the unit's vehicle, Colonel Dang Ngoc Hieu, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Hue City Border Guard, along with his comrades, hurried towards Mr. Huu. Firm handshakes, warm embraces, and smiles always on his face followed.

“Yesterday afternoon, the local authorities informed me that border guards would be coming to visit and wish me a Happy New Year. I was eagerly anticipating it,” Mr. Huu confided. Having served as a soldier for 61 years, having gone through two wars, and bearing many wounds, Mr. Huu cherishes even more the value of peaceful life, of beautiful springs, and of joyful Tet celebrations that were bought with the blood and sacrifices of countless generations.

Mr. Huu expressed that, with the profound meaning of reunion and honoring the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source," this year's Tet holiday was a complete joy for him. Leading guests into his newly built, spacious house, still smelling of fresh paint, Mr. Huu proudly showed off the large gift he received from the State before the new year. "Amidst the shared joy of the country and my hometown, my family has a special joy: the concern of the Party and the State. Today, receiving the affection of the Border Guard Force, I feel like I'm back in my days in the military, surrounded by my beloved comrades," Mr. Huu shared his heartfelt emotions.

For Mr. Huu, amidst the festive atmosphere of Tet, the greetings, the attentive listening, and the heartfelt conversations with the officers and soldiers—who were both his comrades and like his own children—were the most precious gifts.

The border guards visiting him at his home was a precious gift to Mr. Huu.

People's hearts rejoice.

Understanding the thoughts and aspirations of people in border areas as spring arrives and Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, the City Border Guard Command has directed and implemented large-scale, meaningful, and practical programs: "Border Guard Spring - Warming the Hearts of the People" and "Spring in the Border and Islands - A Tet Filled with the Bond Between Soldiers and Civilians." Each year, to implement these programs, the Border Guard forces prepare months, sometimes even half a year in advance; connecting and mobilizing agencies, organizations, and philanthropists to cooperate and provide financial support amounting to hundreds of millions of dong, or even billions of dong.

But there's one important thing they never forget: reviewing and compiling a list of families eligible for social welfare policies: families of war invalids, martyrs, and those who have contributed to the revolution; Vietnamese Heroic Mothers; and disadvantaged households with elderly, sick, or lonely members, so they can visit their homes to offer encouragement, gifts, and New Year greetings. "This is a New Year's gift of affection that cannot be measured," said Mr. Le Van Hai, a 77-year-old war invalid of category 2, expressing his emotion.

In the program "Spring on the Border and Islands - A Tet filled with the bond between soldiers and civilians," the Border Guard Command, in coordination with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hue City, local authorities, and benefactors, organized an event in Chan May - Lang Co commune, a coastal border area. Colonel Dang Ngoc Hieu, Party Secretary and Political Commissar; Colonel Hoang Minh Hung, Commander; Colonel Le Hong Tuyen, Deputy Political Commissar; and Lieutenant Colonel Ho Van Viet, Head of Political Affairs of the Hue City Border Guard, along with officers and soldiers, traveled to dozens of households. Along the village roads and alleys, the footsteps of the border guards reached the people, blending with the joyful sounds of spring, making the Tet holiday in the fishing villages by the sea even more joyful.

Traditional folk games are a spiritual gift for Tet (Lunar New Year), and the Border Guard brings them to the people of Chan May commune, Lang Co district.

At this year's "Spring on the Border and Islands - A Warm Tet for the Military and the People" program, 700 gift packages worth 600 million VND were distributed to people in the area by the Border Guard Force in coordination with the City's Fatherland Front Committee and benefactors. Among them, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong's family (currently residing in Ho Chi Minh City) donated 400 gift packages to the people and 20 million VND to the officers and soldiers of the Chan May Port Border Guard Station. "I am from Hue, and no matter where I go, my heart always loves and longs for my homeland. We also have love and trust in the Border Guard Force – a force that always serves as a pillar of support for the people in the border areas. Therefore, this Tet, my family is ready to stand alongside them, sharing our heartfelt feelings and hoping to contribute a small part to bring a warm Tet to the people."

Colonel Dang Ngoc Hieu stated that caring for policy beneficiary families and poor households along the two border lines to ensure they have a warmer and more joyful Tet holiday is the responsibility and affection of the Border Guard officers and soldiers. Along the shores of Chan May - Lang Co, the fishermen received this affection with unwavering faith, continuing to be a living landmark in their voyages to the sea to develop the economy, while also joining forces with the Border Guard to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands, contributing to maintaining peaceful springs.

Text and photos: Quynh Anh

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-polit-xa-hoi/bien-gioi-bien-dao/tet-ve-ben-chan-song-163028.html