"An extended arm" in the border region.

For over 20 years, Mr. Ho Van Viet, head of Giang 2 village, Huong Xuan commune, Ha Tinh province, has always been known as an "extended arm" of the Ban Giang Border Guard Post. For him, safeguarding the border and boundary markers is like safeguarding his own home. Because every inch of land on the border is not only connected to national sovereignty but also to the livelihoods and peaceful lives of generations of villagers. Rain or shine, whenever there's a patrol plan, Mr. Viet always arranges his family affairs to join the border guards. Steep slopes and slippery forest paths have become familiar to this village head. He says that going there often makes you accustomed to it, and that familiarity has deepened his love and sense of responsibility for each border marker.

Mr. Ho Van Viet, head of Giang 2 village, and soldiers are tidying up the boundary markers.

Leaders of the Border Guard and the People's Committee of Ha Tinh province handed over solidarity houses to the people of Ban Giang 2 village, Huong Xuan commune.

Mr. Ho Van Viet shared: Protecting sovereignty and border security is not only the responsibility of the Border Guard but also of the local people, who have a responsibility to participate in patrols. When detecting any unusual signs along the border, the people promptly report them to the authorities for handling. "As long as the border and boundary markers remain, the villages will remain peaceful," he said.

The exemplary conduct and sense of responsibility of the village head have strongly influenced every household. From viewing border patrol and protection as the responsibility of specialized forces, many residents now proactively register to participate in self-governing groups, consciously monitoring the local situation and promptly providing information to the border guard station. As a result, the awareness of protecting territorial sovereignty has gradually become a regular way of thinking and doing in each family.

When every citizen is a "living landmark"

Effectively implementing Directive No. 01/CT-TTg dated January 9, 2015, of the Prime Minister on organizing the nationwide movement to participate in protecting national territorial sovereignty and border security in the new situation, in recent years, the Border Guard of Ha Tinh province has intensified propaganda and mobilization work through many diverse and practical forms.

From village meetings and Party branch activities to instances of officials going door-to-door, the content of the propaganda is integrated in a specific, easy-to-understand manner, tailored to each target group. Through this, the people not only understand the legal regulations regarding national borders but also clearly understand their rights and obligations in protecting territorial sovereignty.

Officers and soldiers of Phu Gia Border Guard Station, along with local residents, patrol the border area.

Lieutenant Colonel Ho Manh Hung, Deputy Political Officer of Ban Giang Border Guard Station, said: "The people in the border area regularly accompany and support the Border Guard in the work of managing and protecting the border, especially by providing information related to territorial sovereignty and border security. Self-management models for border lines and markers, and self-management of security and order in villages and hamlets, have been built and are increasingly effective."

In reality, over the years, thanks to the active participation of the people, security and order in the border area have always been maintained. Incidents are detected early and handled promptly, preventing the formation of hotspots. Each citizen truly becomes a "living landmark," an important pair of eyes and ears, working closely with functional forces in managing and protecting the border and boundary markers.

It is this close bond that has created a solid people's border defense system, in which the people are the center and the main actors; the border guard force plays the core, specialized role.

Strengthening the people's support

Beyond their role in protecting national sovereignty, border guards actively participate in strengthening the grassroots political system, assisting the people in economic development, poverty alleviation, and rural development. These practical actions have contributed to transforming the appearance of villages along the border.

From providing livestock and crops, transferring scientific and technical knowledge, to guiding people on how to do business in a way that suits local conditions, the border guard force always stands side by side with the people. Many families who were previously in difficult circumstances have now risen to stable lives and are gradually becoming legitimately wealthy on their homeland.

Local people, along with officers from the Ban Giang Border Guard Post, patrol and protect the border and national boundary markers.

Major General Vo Tien Nghi, Deputy Commander of the Border Guard, affirmed: In the coming time, the force will continue to direct grassroots units to effectively implement the motto "Three close ties, four together," strengthening the close bond between the military and the people, and promoting the leading role of the people in managing and protecting the border. Because maintaining the border of the Fatherland is first and foremost about maintaining the trust of the people in the border areas.

"Three attachments" (attaching to the unit, attaching to the locality, attaching to the policy) and "four togethernesses" (eating together, living together, working together, speaking the ethnic language together) are not just slogans but have become the guiding principles of action throughout the border guard force. When officers and soldiers understand the people, are close to the people, and are trusted and loved by the people, all policies and guidelines are implemented smoothly and effectively.

United in protecting our homeland.

Thanks to the unity and joint efforts of the military and the people, the border of Ha Tinh today is always peaceful, and the villages are becoming more prosperous. New roads have been opened, sturdy houses have sprung up, and effective economic models have been replicated – all bearing the mark of solidarity and sharing between the soldiers in green uniforms and the people of the ethnic groups in the border region.

Protecting every inch of our sacred homeland is not only a political duty but also a command from the heart of every citizen in the border region. When the military and the people share the same will and belief, no difficulty can shake the solid foundation of the people's support.

"Strengthening the border with the people's hearts" is not just a slogan, but has become a vibrant reality on the borderland of Ha Tinh. This is the solid foundation for building an increasingly strong all-people border defense system.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/vung-bien-cuong-tu-long-dan-1028336