Military Region 2 soldiers participate in the construction of the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen transmission line: The higher the mountain, the higher the will

Witnessing with our own eyes young men in their twenties carrying steel bars and blocks on their shoulders, overcoming slippery roads, we understood more clearly the difficulties in implementing the construction of this particularly important project.

To reach the foot of column 149 of the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen line, located on the top of a mountain in Na Vai village, Luc Yen commune, Lao Cai province, we had to cross a bumpy road with many winding bends. Although the road surface had been covered with a thick layer of rice husks, it was still slippery as if it wanted to hold back the feet of the passersby. After the sudden rain, the Northwestern sun became even more intense and stifling, but the officers and soldiers of Regiment 174, Division 316 were still working hard.

Officers and soldiers of Regiment 174 (Division 316, Military Region 2) participate in assembling electric poles on the 500kV Lao Cai - Vinh Yen line.

Sergeant Nguyen Manh Dat, Platoon 3, Company 1, Battalion 1, Regiment 174 shared: "Carrying out the mission in harsh and difficult weather conditions, everyone is highly responsible, working enthusiastically as if competing every day". Having just put down the heavy crossbar, quickly wiping the sweat rolling down his cheek, Private Phan A Nhiem, Nguyen Manh Dat's teammate, enthusiastically continued: "Although the work is hard, the weather is sometimes sunny, sometimes rainy, but with determination, we can overcome everything, brother".

On the top of Na Vai Mountain, the braces and steel blocks have been gathered and are waiting to be assembled. Under the scorching sun, officers and soldiers pair up and transport materials like diligent worker ants. Many steep, winding sections require an additional person to help them overcome. Lieutenant Colonel Tran Hai Trang, Deputy Commander of Regiment 174, who directly commands the troops participating in the construction, shared: “We have determined that this is the unit's key political task during this period. 100% of officers and soldiers are fully aware of the honor and responsibility of participating in a key national project. During the implementation of the task, although the outdoor living and camping are still difficult, the weather is erratic, the construction sites are dangerous, and the mobility is difficult, the officers and soldiers of the Regiment are all highly determined, closely coordinating with other forces, and coming up with appropriate solutions to speed up progress and ensure absolute safety.”

Officers and soldiers of Regiment 174 (Division 316, Military Region 2) transport materials to the construction site of the 500kV power line.

In another direction, officers and soldiers of Regiment 254, Lao Cai Provincial Military Command, began carrying out their duties at columns 104 and 113 from the end of June 2025. Initially, there was only a small trail here, and soldiers and other forces had to level the path to open a maneuvering path. The path from the foot of the mountain to columns 104 and 113 is very high and dangerous. However, with a high spirit of determination, up to now, nearly 70 officers and soldiers of Regiment 254 have cleared more than 3,000m of the corridor, transported and installed many formworks, installed and dismantled about 7,000m of concrete pumping pipes, and transported more than 300 tons of equipment, supplies, and construction materials. The troops have made an important contribution to the 70m high, 30m in circumference electric poles assembled on a 10m deep foundation, with a volume of nearly ^500m3 of reinforced concrete, standing tall on the hillside and mountain top, ensuring stability against storms, floods and earthquakes. Colonel Nguyen Duc Cuong, Political Commissar of Lao Cai Provincial Military Command, said: “Immediately after being assigned the task by the Military Region 2 Command, the Provincial Military Command selected experienced officers to directly command, and at the same time organized activities to thoroughly grasp the task so that the troops could determine their determination. Along with that, the unit focused on ensuring good material and spiritual life for the task force.”

With the motto of action "overcoming the sun, overcoming the rain", "the higher the mountain, the higher the will", officers and soldiers of units under Military Region 2 are deeply aware that this is a national key project, playing a particularly important role in ensuring energy security, contributing to the socio -economic development of localities. From there, the soldiers have made persistent efforts, devoted their strength and intelligence, coordinated with Vietnam Electricity Group to speed up the construction progress, bringing the project to the finish line on schedule, ensuring quality, practically celebrating the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Article and photos: TRUNG HIEU - VAN DUONG

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