Tet gifts arrive early at the front lines of the border.

In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, the people of Chieng Son and Long Sap border communes in Son La province celebrated the New Year early with the "Border Spring" program. This is an annual activity organized by the Military Science Academy - General Department II in coordination with several agencies and units in many localities nationwide, contributing to sharing and encouraging border residents to have warmer and more fulfilling spring days.

From early morning, the atmosphere at the Northwest Training and Mobilization Center (Border Guard Command) was more bustling than usual. Vehicles carrying gifts, carefully prepared boxes of goods, and neatly arranged donation tables filled the air.

Arriving early, veteran Vu Trung Trinh and his comrades attended the program with emotion and pride. Mr. Vu Trung Trinh, from Chieng Son commune, Son La province, said: "We are very excited and proud that the army has always cared for veterans and the bright students in the border area."

According to the organizers, the "Spring on the Border" program in 2026 distributed nearly 800 gifts, totaling 1.4 billion VND. These gifts were sent to families receiving government assistance, disadvantaged households, students, and soldiers in mountainous and border regions. At each distribution point, the gifts were not only material items but also timely encouragement and a message of shared responsibility and compassion from officers, soldiers, and partner units to the people on the front lines of the Fatherland.

Among the recipients of gifts, many students from border regions couldn't hide their joy. Their innocent eyes, radiant smiles, and simple yet enduring promises reflect the program's goal: to support their educational journey and nurture their dreams through the most familiar things. Trang Thi Nhang, a student at Long Sap Semi-Boarding Primary and Secondary School in Long Sap commune, Son La province, shared: "I'm so happy to receive gifts today. I promise to study hard so that I can become a teacher someday."

For the people in the border region, those promises are not just the innocent words of childhood. They also represent a desire to rise up through knowledge, a yearning to contribute to the prosperity of their villages, and a hope that the border region will not only be strong in terms of defense but also powerful based on a foundation of education and human resources.

Strengthening the bond between soldiers and civilians amidst the vibrant spring colors of the highlands.

Besides visiting, giving gifts, and wishing Happy New Year, the program also featured many cultural activities and special artistic performances. Performances with the sounds of the highlands, lively dances, and songs attracted a large number of people, officials, soldiers, and students. The atmosphere of Spring thus became even more joyful and warm – where geographical distances were shortened by unity and solidarity.

In border regions, each Lunar New Year is not only a time for family reunions but also an opportunity to reaffirm the people's support – a solid foundation for the task of building and protecting the nation. When border guards and accompanying units bring gifts to each person and each home, when laughter fills the hall and on the program stage; it also means that the care and concern of the armed forces and organizations become even more concrete and practical.

Major General Nguyen Dinh Trung, Political Commissar of the Military Science Academy, emphasized: "As the organizing unit, we hope to bring many gifts to people in border areas and disadvantaged regions, and we wish to organize more programs. We also hope that sponsoring units will continue to support us as much as possible so that the people can have a more fulfilling Tet holiday."

The message from the head of the organizing unit reflects a sense of responsibility and a desire to spread solidarity. In border regions, this support needs to be nurtured through persistent, consistent actions, targeting the right people and meeting their specific needs – so that each gift given not only reaches the recipients but also becomes a source of spiritual support for the people.

The smiles and joy of the local people are the clearest evidence of the success of the program: Bringing the Love of Tet to the Border People. This joy is not boisterous, but it is enough to motivate officers, soldiers, and philanthropists to continue sharing love and strengthening the bond between the military and the people. Through these concrete actions, the program contributes to building a peaceful and prosperous border region – a place where people can work, produce, and study with peace of mind; where feelings and responsibilities are directed towards a common goal: safeguarding the nation's borders on the solid foundation of the people's hearts.