From many small bamboo sticks, the large star-shaped lantern gradually took shape under the creative hands and dedication of the teachers and students of Co Ma Ethnic Boarding Junior High School in Co Ma commune, Son La province. In this remote highland area, far from the city, without modern games or luxurious treats, the students here are still celebrating a warm and loving Mid-Autumn Festival.

The students decorated their own lanterns to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"My name is Sung Thi Tau," said a student at the school. "We live far from home, in the boarding school with our teachers, so this Mid-Autumn Festival we get to celebrate warmly with our teachers and friends at school. We get to make star-shaped lanterns together, participate in cultural performances on the night of the full moon, and I'm very happy and excited."

A simple yet joyful Mid-Autumn Festival in the Co Ma highlands.

The majority of the nearly 650 students at Co Ma Ethnic Minority Boarding Junior High School are children of ethnic minorities, belonging to poor, near-poor, and particularly disadvantaged households. Despite government investment in learning conditions, living arrangements, and boarding support, these children in this particularly difficult Zone III commune still face many disadvantages and shortages.

Teachers and students at Co Ma Ethnic Minority Boarding Junior High School made star-shaped lanterns with their own hands.

Teacher Le Trung Kien, the school's Vice Principal, shared: "The students here are at a great disadvantage compared to their peers in more privileged areas. Understanding these difficulties, the school has mobilized all resources from society, organizations, and individuals to organize a truly meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, helping the students gain more experiences and thus giving them more motivation to strive for success in life and studies."

In the border commune of Phiêng Pằn, officers and soldiers of the Phiêng Pằn Border Guard Post, the Sơn La Border Guard Command, along with volunteer groups, traversed mountains and forests for dozens of kilometers to bring the Mid-Autumn Festival to preschool and primary school children who are striving to stay in school at various locations.

Volunteers trek up the mountain to bring gifts to children in remote schools.

As one of the most remote and difficult-to-reach school branches of Phiêng Pằn Primary and Kindergarten School, Ta Lúc village is located more than 20 km through the forest from the commune center. The 76 students here include children who have never known what the Mid-Autumn Festival is like, nor have they ever tasted the sweet aroma of sticky rice cakes or baked mooncakes…

Holding bags of gifts filled with various cakes, fruits, toys, and school supplies, the children couldn't hide their joy: "This is the first time I've received Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, and I feel very happy. Thank you, uncles and aunts," said Tong Van Dat, a student in class 4A at Phieng Pan Primary and Kindergarten School, Son La province.

Children in the border region of Phiêng Pằn, Sơn La, eagerly receive Mid-Autumn Festival gifts.

Along with gifts and essential supplies, the children and their families also received free health check-ups, consultations, and medication. These gifts, seemingly simple, are very meaningful to the children and people in this remote area. The program was organized by the Phiêng Pằn Border Guard Station in coordination with the Youth Union of the Sơn La Department of Health and various benefactors.

These practical gifts have boosted the morale of the children in disadvantaged areas.

Ms. Do Thi Minh Hanh, Secretary of the Youth Union of the Son La Provincial Department of Health, said: "We are very happy to connect with sponsors and benefactors to bring a warm and joyful Mid-Autumn Festival to the students here. At the same time, we also organized free medical examinations and dispensed free medicine to people in the border region, contributing to community health. We also hope that in the future we will continue to call for and connect more practical programs, accompanying teachers, students, and people, helping them alleviate difficulties in life and study, and giving them more confidence and motivation to strive forward."

Students and people in border areas received free health check-ups, consultations, and medication.

Although not everywhere is filled with lion dances, drum performances, and abundant treats, the Mid-Autumn Festival is still approaching for children and people throughout the highlands and border regions of Son La, including areas recently affected by severe natural disasters. This is a special source of encouragement, providing motivation for students here to continue attending school, overcoming difficulties, and striving for success.