Border patrol in A Mú Sung

NDO - A Mu Sung commune (Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province) is "where the Red River flows into Vietnamese territory." Perhaps because of this, the A Mu Sung Border Guard Post, located here, also has some unique features compared to other border guard posts. Right next to the post, stands a majestic memorial to the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives to protect the nation's borders.

The A Mú Sung Border Guard Post is located nearly 60km northwest of Lào Cai city, managing a 16.9km stretch of border with 4 sovereignty markers, including a special marker that signifies the beginning of the Red River as it flows into Vietnamese territory.

As spring arrives, the early morning chill still lingers, intensifying the emotions and pride felt as one travels along the border, with the homeland on one side and a neighboring country on the other. The Red River, flowing gently and proudly, has witnessed the sacred memories of this border region.

Romantic beauty in a majestic setting.

This season, the kapok flowers have bloomed in vibrant red, igniting the border patrol route, making every glance and footprint of the soldiers even more deeply imbued with the sense of responsibility to safeguard the national territory.

Anyone who has the opportunity to visit the A Mú Sung Border Guard Post is moved to tears by the memorial dedicated to the heroic martyrs. The plaque is inscribed with the full names, hometowns, birth years, and death years of the green-uniformed soldiers who bravely sacrificed their lives to protect the border.

In particular, among the 30 soldiers who fell in this border region, 24 died in 1979, 5 died in 1984, and one died in 1985.

Greetings to this sacred landmark.

The most recent fallen soldier was Lieutenant Tran Van Duan, from Nghia Hung district, Nam Dinh province, who died on February 16, 2011. The soldiers at A Mu Sung Border Guard Post are still grieving for their comrade with the resolute eyes and radiant smile.

On the night of February 16th of that year, upon hearing news of a suspicious vessel on the border river, Lieutenant Tran Van Duan and a group of militia guerrillas set out to intercept it. During the approach to inspect the vessel, the river current was strong, and he was swept away. His body was only recovered the following morning by his comrades.

Milestone 92 - "where the Red River flows into Vietnamese territory".

Lieutenant Tran Van Duan was the commander of the armed team at the outpost. His wife, a teacher, decided to stay in the land where her husband sacrificed his life and continue her work of teaching in the highlands, bringing the light of culture to the younger generation and the local people. His son's name is Bao Nam - a name full of meaning that he once shared with his comrades before his death: Bao Nam means protecting the Vietnamese Fatherland.

Be solemn in your duty to protect the sovereignty of the Fatherland.

The A Mú Sung Border Guard Post stands majestically amidst the towering mountains. It is one of the important checkpoints on the Vietnam-China border.

The station's nhiệm vụ is to protect territorial sovereignty, maintain security and order, and assist ethnic minority communities in developing their economy and stabilizing their lives.

A Mú Sung still retains its pristine beauty.

Border patrol is a regular duty and a sacred mission for the border guards of A Mú Sung.

Regardless of day or night, they traversed mountains, forests, climbed passes, and waded through streams... inspecting every boundary marker and every border crossing to ensure that the sovereignty of the Fatherland remained firm.

The footprints of border guards can be found everywhere.

In winter, thick fog blankets the landscape, the biting cold chills the skin, freezing feet, and chapped hands cling to the rocks... In summer, the sun swelteres, sweat drenches everything... not to mention countless unforeseen dangers. But the will and spirit of each soldier remain burning brightly, because they understand that behind them lies their sacred motherland.

The national flag flying high is a source of immense pride.

Along with patrolling and protecting the border, the soldiers in green uniforms also regularly carry out the task of educating the people about sovereignty, urging them not to encroach on land, not to abet smuggling, thus creating a strong bond between the military and the people, together safeguarding the border.

Ancient forests, babbling streams winding like silk ribbons, weathered boundary markers… all bear the footprints and souls of the patrolling soldiers.

Every border guard is deeply aware of their duty to protect the homeland.

Border guards are sons of the mountains and forests; they work alongside the local people to plant rice and corn in the fields; rebuild houses after flash floods; teach children to read and write; and take the sick to the health station... For the people in the border regions, they are a solid pillar of support in many ways.

Viewing the Lung Po Flagpole from afar.

Countless hurried meals eaten in the forest, countless winter nights spent lighting fires under the starry sky, countless moments facing danger… these experiences have forged the unwavering resilience of border guards.

They truly live up to their name, A Mú Sung – large, old trees rooted in the land and forest, standing firm amidst storms, ensuring that "where the Red River flows into Vietnamese territory" remains peaceful and beautiful.

Border guards are a pillar of trust for the local people.

Having overcome many ups and downs and hardships, A Mu Sung today boasts lush green villages, and its people wholeheartedly trust and love the soldiers. In A Mu Sung commune, there are many examples of people overcoming adversity.

Mr. Ma Seo Pao from Lung Po village, A Mu Sung commune, recounts the memorable journey of his family and 17 other households from Din Chin village, Pha Long commune, Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province, who traveled hundreds of kilometers along mountain trails to build a new life here in the spring of 2007.

The national flag flies proudly in the wind.

"In the early days, it was very difficult. The mountains and forests were wild and dense. Thanks to the local government and especially the border guards' care and support, the people felt secure staying on their land and in their villages, and the economy gradually improved," Mr. Pao said emotionally.

The elderly in the ancient villages reminisce about the past. After the border defense war in 1979, A Mu Sung was very poor and struggled. In the most difficult areas, apart from the border guards, almost no one else went there.

From the 2000s onwards, following waves of migration from impoverished areas to settle and cultivate new land, the vibrant landscape we see today gradually took shape. The area is primarily inhabited by ethnic minorities such as the Hmong, Dao, and Ha Nhi, who live together in harmony and friendship, developing a stable economy.

The national flag on the Lung Po flagpole has an area of ​​25 square meters, symbolizing the 25 ethnic groups living in Lao Cai province.

With the spirit of "The outpost is our home, the border is our homeland, and the people of all ethnic groups are our brothers and sisters," the officers and soldiers of A Mu Sung Border Guard Post dedicate much effort and resources to sharing joys and sorrows, helping the local people through practical actions, contributing to changing the border villages and hamlets with a great impact on the community.

In early 2025, the A Mú Sung Border Guard Post coordinated with and donated 50 million VND to the family of Ms. Chảo Lở Mẩy in Tùng Sáng village to build a new house of nearly 100 square meters. The unit's officers and soldiers also provided nearly 100 days of labor to help the family level the ground, paint the house, etc., saving on construction costs.

Due to the harsh weather conditions, when the flags become old, the border guards will perform a solemn flag replacement ceremony.

Standing atop the high mountain, looking down at the Red River, heavy with silt, the border guards feel even more proud to continue their journey with unwavering eyes and tireless steps.

Each steadfast footprint is imprinted on the borderland, amidst the towering mountains, through wind, frost, and challenges, as each loyal individual serves as a living landmark at the forefront of the Fatherland.

The national flags that have completed their service are preserved and displayed at the Memorial House.

The patrol route of the A Mú Sung Border Guard Post is both majestic and wild, romantic. Occasionally, you come across valleys shrouded in mist, and mountain ranges stretching endlessly in shades of green, like a mystical painting.

Along the patrol route, the soldiers' gazes were fixed on the Lung Po Flagpole – a symbol of the strength, will, and volunteer spirit of the young generation of Lao Cai in their journey to protect the nation's borders.

The footsteps led them back towards the sun.

From the border guard station, where the sky and land seem to blend into an endless expanse of green, the border guards hold their heads high, their eyes solemn, brimming with vitality as they gaze up at the proudly fluttering red flag with a yellow star.

The Lung Po flagpole, construction of which began on March 26, 2016 and was completed on December 16, 2017, covers an area of ​​2,100 square meters and stands 31.43 meters tall – symbolizing the 3,143-meter height of Fansipan peak. The structure holds significant importance in affirming national territorial sovereignty; expressing gratitude to the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence and sovereignty of the Fatherland's borders; and serving as a strong spiritual anchor for soldiers stationed on the border.

Each task reflects belief and determination.

Lung Po is the name of a stream in Bat Xat district, which divides the waterway between Vietnam and China. The Lung Po stream flows and meets the Red River at milestone 92.

The Lung Po flagpole, once erected, has become a symbol of the will, the spirit of volunteerism, and the determination of the youth of Lao Cai to participate in building their homeland, continuing the fine traditions of the nation in building and defending the country.

The beauty of Lung Po Flagpole.

In 2019, Lao Cai province developed a plan to transform the Lung Po area of ​​A Mu Sung commune into an eco-tourism, commercial, cultural, and social service zone, reflecting the unique characteristics of the land "where the Red River flows into Vietnam".

Every time they look up at the national flag, especially while on patrol, from afar, the hearts of border guards are filled with a mix of emotions. They deeply feel the strength from the resilient and indomitable traditions of our army and people, and they understand even more profoundly their duty, as well as the faith and hope that shines like stars in their green uniforms.