Economic - Defense Group 327, Military Region 3: Close to the people, steadfast in the Northeastern border

49 years ago, after the Great Victory of Spring 1975, the country entered a new phase with the requirement of both protecting the Fatherland and healing the wounds of war. On August 23, 1976, in Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh, the Military Region 3 Command decided to establish Group 327, with the task of building an economy with socialist accounting, training for combat readiness (SSCD), and building a strong local political base. Thoroughly grasping the task, officers and soldiers promoted the spirit of overcoming difficulties, disciplined labor, high technical skills and productivity, contributing to the completion of many important projects, such as: 5-storey building of Military Region 3 Command, Dong Trieu-Uong Bi railway, sea encroachment dike in Lang Bang (Hoanh Bo)... Those projects were highly appreciated by the Military Region Command, at the same time further honoring the tradition of "Getting rich, winning" of the Military Region 3 Armed Forces.

Officers and soldiers of Economic - Defense Group 327 help people build houses in Hai Son commune, Quang Ninh province (May 2024). Photo: DUC PHUC

In July 1978, the unit was reorganized into the 327th Infantry Division, responsible for training, combat readiness, and national defense. During the period from February 1979 to June 1988, the Division directly carried out combat missions, firmly protecting the northern border. After that, the Division moved to the 14th Corps (Chi Lang Corps), Military Region 1. In June 1994, the 327th Division returned to the 3rd Military Region, responsible for managing and training reserve forces in the two provinces of Hai Duong and Thai Binh , contributing to maintaining political security in the area, which was recognized and highly appreciated by the government and people.

In response to the requirements of socio-economic development associated with strengthening the defense and security of the Northeast region, in 1999, the Ministry of National Defense decided to convert Division 327 into Economic-Defense Group 327. In 2002, the Military Region merged Group 42 - the unit implementing the Bac Hai Son project - into Economic-Defense Group 327. Since then, the unit has undertaken two key economic-defense projects: Binh Lieu-Hai Ha-Mong Cai and Bac Hai Son (this project was completed in 2019). This is a remote border area with rugged terrain, difficult traffic and travel, a large number of ethnic minorities, many deprivations in life, and potential complex factors in political security.

The Party Committee and the Youth Union's leadership have concretized the above policy into practical measures, taking the motto "3 sticking, 4 together" (sticking to the people, sticking to the village, sticking to the locality; eating together, living together, working together, speaking the local language) as a guideline for action. Every year, the unit coordinates with local Party Committees and authorities to develop plans and synchronously implement economic and defense projects, associated with the new rural construction program, providing guidance and transferring science and technology, creating jobs for people, helping people stabilize their lives, and sustainably eliminate hunger and reduce poverty.

After more than 26 years of carrying out its mission, Economic-Defense Group 327 has made an important contribution to changing the face of the Northeastern border region. Essential infrastructure has been built, production has developed, the environment and cultural identity have been preserved, new rural areas have flourished, and people's lives have been constantly improved. These achievements have not only contributed to socio-economic development, consolidating national defense and security, but also fostered a solid "people's heart position", brightening the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers in the hearts of people of all ethnic groups.

Economic - Defense Group 327 cooperates with other forces to practice fire prevention and fighting plans at oil depots (May 2025). Photo: DUC PHUC

Forestry Farm 155, Economic - Defense Group 327 successfully implemented the Project "Army officers and soldiers help children go to school", phase 2021-2025 (December 2023). Photo: DUC PHUC

With its persistent contributions, the unit has been honored to receive the Second and Third Class Fatherland Protection Medals and the Third Class Military Exploit Medal from the Party and State; the Prime Minister and the Ministry of National Defense have awarded many certificates of merit and emulation flags; Regiment 42 (Economic-Defense Group 327) has been awarded the noble title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces. This is both a great honor and a responsibility for the officers and soldiers of Economic-Defense Group 327 to continue to strive to excel and complete all tasks excellently.

In the new period, the Party Committee and the command of the 327th Economic-Defense Group determined to continue to thoroughly grasp and effectively implement the directives and resolutions of the above; regularly educate and build a steadfast and firm political stance for officers and soldiers; improve the quality of training, competitions and sports; strictly maintain the combat readiness regime; actively practice combat plans, natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue; strengthen discipline management, maintain regularity; build a clean and strong Party organization, associated with building a comprehensively strong "exemplary and typical" agency and unit; speed up the completion of projects in the project area, actively participate in helping people sustainably reduce poverty, contributing to socio-economic development, and strengthening national defense and security in the area.

From 2021 to present, Economic-Defense Group 327 has completed more than 12.9km of roads; invested 5.7 billion VND in building barns; provided people with 127 cows, 80 breeding goats, and 2,000 plum trees; protected more than 5,314 hectares of forest; and maintained the effective operation of 28 medicine cabinets in production teams. These specific results are vivid evidence of the close bond between Uncle Ho's soldiers and the people, while affirming the role, responsibility, and determination of the officers and soldiers of Economic-Defense Group 327 in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Colonel NGUYEN HUY PHU, Party Secretary, Political Commissar of Economic - Defense Group 327, Military Region 3