Military-civilian relationship at the border

Representatives of Hoang Dieu Border Guard Station (right cover) and Hung Phuoc Commune authorities awarded scholarships to students in difficult circumstances. Photo: Contributor

Implementing the motto "3 sticking, 4 together" (sticking to the unit, sticking to the area, sticking to the guidelines and policies; eating together, living together, working together, speaking the same language as the people), the silent but extremely practical actions of the Border Guard in the area have lit up the steadfast love between the army and the people, making an important contribution to maintaining political security and social order and safety in the border area of Dong Nai province.

Close to the people, close to the area

According to the introduction of the leader of Hoang Dieu Border Guard Station ( Dong Nai Provincial Border Guard Command), we met professional soldier Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Bien, an employee of the Mass Mobilization Team (Mass Mobilization Team). With 30 years of service in the border guard force, including 16 years of work in the MASS Mobilization Team, Lieutenant Colonel Bien is considered one of the veteran cadres of the movement of soldiers staying close to the area and having a close relationship with the people, contributing to maintaining border security. Hoang Dieu Border Guard Station is the 5th unit that Lieutenant Colonel Bien has worked at and is attached to the MASS Mobilization Team task.

Lieutenant Colonel Bien shared: "VĐQC work is a term used in the army, and the general name is civil work, a task that requires flexibility, perseverance, dedication, and closeness to the people to be successful."

In border areas, depending on the local situation and the specific religious and ethnic groups, the work of propaganda must be flexible. For the people, especially ethnic minorities with limited education levels, the army must propagate the content in a concise, easy-to-understand and easy-to-grasp manner.

Typically, in the past, the Stieng people still kept the habit of raising livestock near their homes, causing unsanitary conditions and potential risks of disease. Lieutenant Colonel Bien propagated and mobilized people to move their barns away from their homes to ensure environmental hygiene. The mobilization work encountered difficulties in the beginning because people were still hesitant and did not believe. But then, with perseverance, with the motto "slow and steady wins the race", Lieutenant Colonel Bien and his teammates rolled up their sleeves to help people build barns while propagating and explaining to people the benefits of building barns to raise livestock far from their homes... At the same time, they instructed people on how to utilize manure to fertilize crops to increase productivity. Gradually, people understood, believed and followed.

Lieutenant Colonel Bien also became a "teacher" to help people do business . There were families in difficult circumstances because they did not know how to do business effectively. Lieutenant Colonel Bien wholeheartedly instructed people how to take advantage of their family's vacant land to grow grass, build barns and buy goats to raise, thereby escaping poverty, stabilizing their lives, and contributing to building a strong border area.

Recently, Lieutenant Colonel Bien has also actively participated in new rural construction programs; together with the Border Guard and localities, implemented many practical social security programs such as: Adopted children of border guards, Helping children go to school, donating Great Unity houses...

“When the army gains the trust and love of the people, the work of the Border Guard will have many advantages, especially in terms of security and order in the area. Each citizen will be the “eyes and ears” to help us maintain political security in the border area.”
Lieutenant Colonel NGUYEN THANH BIEN, Border Guard Team, Hoang Dieu Border Gate Border Guard Station

Warm military-civilian relationship

One of the important tasks of the troops in the area is to propagate the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws to the people. Besides propaganda in a concentrated manner or through mass media, the troops also spend time in the area to "get close to the people, stay close to the people"; understand the customs and habits of the people to have a plan to carry out the mobilization work effectively.

Lieutenant Phung Van Dai (Captain of the Border Guard Team, Hoang Dieu Border Guard Station) has just been assigned to work at the unit for more than a month, so everything is quite new. However, with the help and guidance of the unit leader and his teammates, he quickly got acquainted with the area and the people.

Lieutenant Dai recalled: “The first time I came to the village, the people welcomed me warmly, and brought out delicious food and drinks to invite me to their homes… That feeling made me feel warm, as if I was living among my own family. That sincerity was the motivation for me to try my best for my duty and for the people.”

Lieutenant Dai often goes to the field with his teammates; participates in Party cell activities in the villages and hamlets in charge to grasp the situation; encourages people to obey the law, build a civilized and united lifestyle. For those in especially difficult circumstances, he and his teammates pay more attention to help people repair their houses, build livestock barns, provide production guidance, share difficulties, and encourage their spirit to rise up.

Strengthening the people's hearts and minds

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Huu Long (Political Commissar of Hoang Dieu Border Guard Station) said: The unit is located in Hung Phuoc commune (Dong Nai province) and is assigned to manage an area with an important strategic position in the border region. Therefore, maintaining political security and social order and safety is always a top priority.

In recent times, in parallel with patrolling to prevent violations, the unit has also assigned soldiers to stay close to the area and actively propagate, disseminate and educate the law to raise people's awareness. In addition, soldiers staying close to the area have actively coordinated with other forces to help people harvest crops and overcome the consequences of natural disasters. The unit has also coordinated with local authorities to implement many practical models to care for people, especially those in difficult circumstances such as: Adopted children of border guards, Jars of love rice, Helping children go to school, Breeding cows for the poor, Border spring warms the hearts of local people...

In the first 9 months of 2025 alone, the unit mobilized hundreds of millions of VND to support poor students to overcome difficulties; gave more than 350 gifts to poor households, policy families, and single people, helping people celebrate Tet with fullness and warmth... These specific actions not only contribute to improving the material and spiritual life of the people but also strengthen the military-civilian relationship, consolidating the "people's hearts" firmly at the border.

“The officers and soldiers of Hoang Dieu Border Guard Station are like family members. Whenever there is a storm, the roofs of houses are blown off or need to be repaired, the Border Guard always supports the people. When the hamlet has work, the unit always sends people to help. The soldiers also pay attention to cultural, artistic and sports activities, and take care of the children... From there, the people understand more and are determined to join the soldiers in protecting the country's borders.”
Village elder DIEU RET (residing in Bu Tam hamlet, Hung Phuoc commune)

“Up to now, territorial sovereignty, political security, and social order and safety in the area under our responsibility have been maintained. People's lives have been significantly improved. In particular, the masses have confidence in the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, and the leadership and management of local Party committees and authorities...” - Senior Lieutenant Colonel Long shared.

An Nhon

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202510/tinh-quan-dan-noi-bien-gioi-6c0008b/