Commands from the heart

Son LaAs a mountainous, highland province, it is home to a large number of ethnic minorities: Thai, Mong, Muong, Khang, etc. The lives of the people are still difficult and easily affected by natural disasters, storms, and floods. Recognizing this, the Party Committee and command of Division 316 always consider the task of helping people stabilize their lives not only as a purely civilian outreach activity but also as a command from the heart, a combat mission in peacetime.

Heavy rains and floods in July and August 2025 swept away the homes of many families in the communes of Chiềng Sơ, Mường Lầm, Huổi Một, and Bó Sinh. To help people quickly stabilize their lives, the 316th Division deployed officers and soldiers to participate in building and repairing houses for affected households. Preparation, from surveying the area to selecting officers and soldiers skilled in construction and assigning them to each commune and village, was organized efficiently. Based on a thorough understanding of the local characteristics and the conditions of each family, the 316th Division developed specific and appropriate support plans, coordinating closely with local Party committees and authorities, proactively mobilizing resources, and ensuring high consensus before implementation. Colonel Lam Dung Tien, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the 316th Division, shared: “The Party Committee and the Division's command always emphasize the view that helping the people, especially ethnic minorities in remote areas, is also an opportunity to hone political fortitude and cultivate the qualities of Uncle Ho's soldiers for each officer and soldier. Therefore, we launched a competitive emulation movement, encouraging soldiers to treat helping the people as if helping their own families. As a result, in just 50 days, 155 houses were completed and handed over to the people.”

Officers and soldiers of the 316th Division helped the family of Mr. Giàng A Dụ in Huổi Sài village, Chiềng Sơ commune, build a house.

Soldiers from the 316th Division helped the family of Ms. Lèo Thị Hiến in Đứa Cát village, Chiềng Sơ commune, restore their vegetable garden after the floods.

Eat, live, and work together with the people.

A special aspect of this mission was that the officers and soldiers not only carried out house repairs and construction but also truly immersed themselves in the lives of the local people. The soldiers lived, ate, and woke up early to carry bricks, haul wood, and erect house pillars alongside the villagers. In remote villages, even on days with torrential rain, the soldiers remained on the ground, taking advantage of breaks to continue their work to meet deadlines. This dedication and sincerity warmed the hearts of the people, transforming each workday into a celebration of solidarity between the military and the people.

Mr. Lo Van Sam, Head of Dua Cat village, Chieng So commune, said: “The soldiers worked tirelessly, regardless of rain or sunshine, carrying bricks and bundles of bamboo alongside the villagers to build houses. The soldiers lived harmoniously, helping the people with everything from big to small tasks. With new, sturdy houses, the people can work with peace of mind; the bond between the army and the people is truly like fish and water.” The completion of 155 sturdy houses not only provides safe housing for families but also contributes to strengthening the people's trust in the Party, the State, and the Army. For the 316th Division, each mission to help the people is an opportunity to train and educate officers and soldiers on responsibility, organizational discipline, and the ability to conduct civilian affairs work. Through this, the soldiers become more mature, understand and love the people better, and are ready to accept and successfully complete all tasks, even in difficult conditions. Colonel Lam Dung Tien emphasized: "The unit considers supporting the people as an opportunity to educate officers and soldiers about love and compassion for comrades and fellow citizens; to cultivate a spirit of humanity and a close, inseparable bond with the people. Each house built is a practical lesson about solidarity, profound human values, and the will to overcome difficulties and strive to fulfill assigned tasks."

For every officer and soldier of the 316th Division, the 50 days of assisting the people were not only a duty but also a profound memory, a precious asset to continue striving and training. New, sturdy houses and repaired roads facilitated the people's daily lives, but what remained most deeply was the trust and the close bond between the military and the people. The "people's support" in the Northwest highlands thus became even stronger.