The "big trees" in the high mountains

With a spirit of hard work, more than two decades of attachment to his new homeland, Mr. Chang not only planted forests, built houses, raised 5 children, but also sowed trust in the people in the border area. Holding the position of Village Chief, Head of the Village Front Work Committee, from 2019 to present, Mr. Chang was elected as Party Cell Secretary, Head of Luc Chan Village.

In his assigned position and with his own prestige, Mr. Chang, together with the local government and the Border Guard, actively propagated and mobilized people to choose suitable plant varieties, apply farming techniques, develop the economy, associate with forest protection and border preservation, especially not to listen to distorted arguments and not to illegally cross the border.

Mr. Chang shared: "At first, it was very difficult to mobilize people. People did not trust me, so I had to go to each house and tell them about each job. I did it first to show them. When people believed, I could do the job." Every day on the acacia fields and rice fields, Mr. Chang still works side by side with people to plant trees, raise pigs, and instruct people on farming techniques and how to choose seedlings suitable for the hilly border land.

With the method of "slow and steady wins the race", Mr. Chang has encouraged many households to proactively develop their economy, gradually escaping poverty sustainably. Thereby, contributing to the transformation of Luc Chan village from having many poor households to now having only a few near-poor households. In addition, Mr. Chang also understands the customs and practices of both sides of the border, so he has become a cultural bridge, helping to limit conflicts and misunderstandings among residents in the border area. With his feet worn out on the mountain soil, with his heart loyal to the Party, Mr. Chang has contributed to helping Luc Chan become a peaceful and prosperous border village.

Not only is he the person who connects the people with the government, Mr. Chang is also a close "comrade" of the officers and soldiers of Po Hen Border Guard Station. Together with the border guards on patrol and control, Mr. Chang regularly detects and promptly provides information on incidents related to border security, warning people not to assist in smuggling or illegally cross the border. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen The Cuong, Political Commissar of Po Hen Border Guard Station, commented: "Mr. Chang is a responsible person with deep prestige. His actions inspire the whole community to participate in protecting the border."

The "fire-bearer" in Na Ni

In Na Ni village (Quang Duc commune, Hai Ha district), Mr. Phoong Nhuc Phi is the pride of the Dao people. Born, raised and matured in this mountainous border land, and being the former Party Secretary of the commune, Mr. Phi understands every fence, every stream, every inch of his homeland.

This year, 68 years old, retired, but Mr. Phi still regularly patrols with officers of Quang Duc Border Post and militia to protect the border and border markers. "The border markers are national assets. Putting my hand on the markers, I feel proud and responsible. As long as I can walk, I will continue to patrol with the Border Guard to protect the land" - Mr. Phi shared. Mr. Phi is also a pioneer in the fight against superstitious and strange religions that have infiltrated the area. "The Dao people worship their ancestors, not superstitious. We have to explain so that people understand, to keep their houses and villages clean" - Mr. Phi confided.

Mr. Phi went to each house, together with government representatives, to guide people in planting acacia, cassava, and raising pigs and cows. To gain people's trust, he was always the first to do it, and to do it for real. The concrete results from his economic model are living proof of the effectiveness of labor for people in the village to learn and follow. Thanks to that, Na Ni village, from a poor household rate of more than 30% in 2000, now has only 5 near-poor households.

Not flashy, not noisy, Mr. Phi quietly "spreads the fire" through concrete actions. Secretary of the Na Ni village Party cell, Phong Thanh Tien, affirmed: "It is Mr. Phi who has inspired and helped more and more people to escape poverty, actively register to join the Border Self-Management Team, and raise awareness of the responsibility to preserve territorial sovereignty."

"Living milestones" protect the land and the village

In the midst of the vast border, beside the towering concrete markers affirming the sovereignty of the Fatherland, there are always “living markers” made of flesh and blood, with unshakable patriotism. They are prestigious people, village elders, village chiefs, exemplary party members, people without military ranks, but every word and every action has the weight of maintaining peace at the border.

From Luc Chan to Na Ni, the footprints of Mr. Ly A Chang, Mr. Phoong Nhuc Phi... have been imprinted on every border route. They not only participated in patrolling and protecting the border and landmarks, but also mobilized people to change their awareness, develop the economy, preserve traditional culture, push back evil religions and superstitions, and contribute to building a stable and developed border area.

Although they are not noisy, do not appear much in the press or forums, but each of their actions silently creates great strength: the strength of the people's hearts. It is prestigious people like Mr. Chang, Mr. Phi... who have been and are the spiritual support, the bridge connecting the people with the government, between the village and the border force, between the traditional past and the developing present.

They are the giant trees at the border of the Fatherland, rooted in the motherland, spreading shade for many generations. When mentioning those who protect the border, we cannot help but mention them: The living milestones in the middle of the forest, who have been writing a silent heroic epic at the front line of the Fatherland.