Regular, green, clean, beautiful barracks at Artillery Brigade 382 (Military Region 1)

Inner strength and creativity create a new look

Entering the 382nd Artillery Brigade (Military Region 1) barracks, we felt like we were lost in a green park with a system of flower beds, ornamental plants, and a colorful flag-and-flower campus; meticulously tended fruit trees; vegetable beds, gourd trellises, fish ponds... neatly and scientifically planned. Interspersed among the green of vegetables are Japanese grass carpets as smooth as "velvet", delicate rockery, spacious and well-appointed works... everywhere exudes formality, science and high aesthetics.

The regular, bright, green, clean barracks of the 382nd Artillery Brigade (Military Region 1).

In recent years, implementing the emulation movement "Building and managing regular, green, clean, and beautiful barracks" launched by the General Department of Logistics and Engineering, the Party Committee and command of the 382nd Artillery Brigade have had many policies and measures to lead and direct closely to reality, maximizing the internal strength of the unit. Officers and soldiers have been deeply imbued with the meaning and goals of the movement, turning determination into concrete actions.

Gate of the 382nd Artillery Brigade barracks.

Talking with Lieutenant Colonel Phung Duc Thang, Head of Logistics and Engineering, Brigade 382, we learned that from 2012 to present, the unit has mobilized more than 180,000 laborers and 31,500 high-tech workers, focusing on renovating and upgrading the barracks system. In particular, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Brigade's Traditional Day (2025) and maintaining the results of the "Regular, Green, Clean, Beautiful Barracks" Contest for the entire army, the Brigade mobilized more than 31,000 working days to build 650m of fences, pour 6,782m² of concrete yards and roads, plant 14,600m² of grass, build new medicinal gardens, campuses, physical training grounds, repaint the sports field system and many auxiliary works.

With limited funding, many projects were carried out by the soldiers’ own manpower and creativity. From the source of production, livestock and legal sources of income, the unit has restored landscapes, created miniature historical relics, painted murals, made billboards and electronic boards, contributing to creating a unique mark, both beautiful and rich in traditional educational value.

According to Colonel Nguyen Phuc Quyet, Brigade Commander of the 382nd Artillery Brigade, the Brigade previously took over the barracks from schools under Military Region 1, with degraded facilities and unsynchronized planning. Since the movement was launched, the unit has proactively established a master plan, clearly divided functional zones, and ensured compliance with regulations of the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Region. The entire area of defense land has been marked, solidly fenced, and used for the right purposes, without any disputes.

According to Colonel Nguyen Phuc Quyet, the works are regularly repaired and maintained, extending their lifespan. The unit has replaced all bare electrical wires with safety-coated wires, installed 73 new solar lights, 6 solar systems; used industrial well water through a standard filtration system, ensuring hygiene in eating and living. There are also many innovations in the management of equipment. Beds, cabinets, tables, chairs, hat racks, shoe racks, etc. are newly built or repaired, painted in a uniform color, and neatly arranged.

Green from landscape to meal

One of the highlights of the 382nd Artillery Brigade is the tree planting, afforestation and production increase movement. Responding to the Ministry of National Defense's 1 Billion Tree Planting Program, the unit has planted more than 10,200 fruit trees, nearly 5,000 banana and papaya trees; over 12,500 trees for timber and shade and more than 80,000 acacia trees. Each platoon has a green tea garden to provide daily drinking water. In addition, the Brigade coordinated with the locality to plant more than 23,500 protective forest trees, contributing to environmental protection, anti-erosion and landscape improvement.

The army's housing system is invested in and built spaciously.

Visiting the concentrated production area of more than 63,000m² of the unit, we found the unit to be reasonably planned like a "miniature agricultural picture". Next to the rows of vegetables, Malabar spinach, lettuce watered by an automatic misting system, there is a large fish pond with grass carp, tilapia, common carp... surrounded by trellises of green squash, pumpkin, and luffa. The pig, chicken, and duck farms are arranged separately, ensuring hygiene. The fertilizer is completely processed organic fertilizer, both economical and environmentally friendly.

Private Hua Thanh Tung, a soldier of Company 2, Battalion 1, excitedly shared: “Every time we complete a training mission, we go to the garden together to grow crops. The feeling of cultivating each row of vegetables and taking care of each tree is very interesting. When looking at the lush green vegetable garden or the fruit trees full of branches, everyone feels proud because their efforts have contributed to beautifying the unit and improving meals.”

It is known that in addition to the fruit garden, the unit also planted more than 28,500m² of lawns, hundreds of flower gardens, ornamental plants, rockeries, miniature landscapes... creating a green, clean, beautiful landscape, and at the same time a place for soldiers to relax and have outdoor activities.

Spread from the emulation movement

The highlight of the landscape system of the 382nd Artillery Brigade is the ceremonial works, the physical training grounds, the octagonal house, the electronic board... all designed and constructed by the soldiers themselves. Over the years, the officers and soldiers have implemented many initiatives and solutions to improve techniques and aesthetics, such as: Painting 96 vivid murals, renovating 5 physical training grounds, building 11 octagonal houses,... These works not only meet the criteria of "standard, green, clean, beautiful" but also bear the cultural and traditional imprint of the Brigade.

The success of the movement in Brigade 382 is not only measured by the change in appearance of the barracks, but also by the spirit of solidarity, responsibility and creativity aroused in each officer and soldier. From the unit's internal strength and the support of localities and sister enterprises, the Brigade has invested more than 6.35 billion VND in the movement over the past 10 years.

Youth of Artillery Brigade 382 take care of the unit's landscape and environment.

Thanks to the movement, the quality of barracks work has been improved, the material and spiritual life of soldiers has improved significantly; the landscape and environment are clean, and regularity has been consolidated. This is an important foundation for Brigade 382 to successfully complete its training, combat readiness and emergency missions.

As Colonel Nguyen Phuc Quyet, Brigade Commander, affirmed: "When all officers and soldiers clearly see the meaning and responsibility of the movement, combined with creativity, self-reliance, and self-reliance, no matter how difficult it is, we can turn the barracks into a regular, green, clean, and beautiful living and working environment, truly a common home for the troops."

Article and photos: NGUYEN TUAN ANH