As spring arrives in Son La, peach blossoms in the highland and border villages are vying to show off their vibrant colors. People's hearts are also filled with joy and excitement as they participate in activities celebrating the arrival of spring and the Lunar New Year.

Presenting gifts to disadvantaged families at the "Spring Border Guard Program, Warming the Hearts of the People" in Chiềng Sơn border commune, Sơn La province. Photo: VNA.

Springtime at the border, warming the hearts of the local people.

Every Lunar New Year, people of ethnic minorities in the border region eagerly participate in the "Border Guard Spring, Warming the Hearts of the People" program, showing their warm affection for the Border Guard forces of Son La province. The program, with its many meaningful and practical activities, has contributed to bringing a warm, joyful, and exciting Lunar New Year to the people in the border areas.

Present at the event on the morning before the Lunar New Year of the Horse in 2026 in Chieng Son border commune, the atmosphere of the "Spring at the Border, Warming the Hearts of the Local People" program was filled with joy and excitement, thanks to the heartfelt gifts from the border guards and the community to the local people. Over 700 practical Tet gifts were distributed to disadvantaged households, families of policy beneficiaries, and people in the border area, containing the affection of the officers and soldiers of Chieng Son Border Guard Post and benefactors.

Youth union members, women's union members, and border guards wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to give to poor people and students at the "Spring Border Guard, Warming the Hearts of the People" program in Chieng Son border commune, Son La province. Photo: VNA.

Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Van Quang, Commander of Chieng Son Border Guard Station, Son La Provincial Border Guard Command, informed: The "Spring Border Guard, Warming the Hearts of the People" program is organized by the Provincial Border Guard with the desire to work with local Party committees and authorities to care for the people, especially families in difficult circumstances, so that they can have a warmer and more fulfilling Tet holiday. This activity aims to strengthen the bond between the military and the people, and between the people and local Party committees and authorities.

This year's program in Chiềng Sơn border commune also includes free medical examinations, treatment, and medication distribution for the local people. This activity is carried out by doctors from the Central Lung Hospital in coordination with military doctors, aiming to screen and advise on medical conditions for the people, helping them feel secure about their health so they can enjoy a joyful Tet holiday.

Mr. Phang A Tu from Kho Hong village, Chieng Son commune, shared that the people were very happy to participate in the program. Both adults and children received free consultations, examinations, and medication. The people expressed their sincere gratitude to the Party, the State, and the working group for their concern for the people's health.

These traditional Vietnamese rice cakes (bánh chưng) were given to students at the school as part of the "Springtime at the Border, Warming the Hearts of the Local People" program in Chiềng Sơn border commune, Sơn La province. Photo: VNA.

Youth union members, women's union members, and soldiers in green uniforms joined hands to wrap traditional sticky rice cakes (bánh chưng) as a gesture of kindness to the poor people and students in this area. Each person had a task – some washed the leaves, others wrapped the cakes, and still others arranged them – all with joy and enthusiasm, hoping that the people in this border region could have a more fulfilling Tet holiday.

According to Tran Thi Duc, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Chieng Son commune and Secretary of the Chieng Son Commune Youth Union: Participating in the "Spring at the Border, Warming the Hearts of the People" program in 2026, the Women's Union and the Youth Union of the commune coordinated with the Chieng Son Border Guard Station to mobilize union members and association members to wrap 400 banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) and prepare gifts for the people and students, contributing to encouraging the people during Tet (Lunar New Year).

The Border Guard of Son La province has maintained the "Spring at the Border, Warming the Hearts of the People" program over the past year, demonstrating the responsibility and affection of officers and soldiers towards the people in border areas. In addition to visiting and giving gifts, the program also organized cultural and sports activities to revive and promote the ethnic cultural identity.

Standing alongside women in border areas.

Presenting gifts to disadvantaged families in Chieng Son commune, Son La province, at the "Accompanying Border Women" program in 2026. Photo: VNA.

Over the years, the Son La Provincial Women's Union has collaborated with various organizations and philanthropists to organize the "Accompanying Women in Border Areas" program, aiming to support and motivate women in border regions to improve their lives and enhance their living standards.

This year's "Accompanying Women in Border Areas" program took place in Chieng Son commune, where hundreds of beautifully packaged gifts were delivered directly to the people. Women's Union branches at all levels also prepared vouchers, ensuring accuracy and that no recipients were overlooked, guaranteeing that gifts were delivered to the people with respect and a spirit of sharing.

Ms. Ha Thi Ly from Suoi Quanh village, Chieng Son commune, expressed: "Today, receiving gifts here makes me very happy. Thank you to the program organizers."

Presenting the national flag and portraits of President Ho Chi Minh to the villages of Chieng Son commune, Son La province, at the "Accompanying Border Women" program in 2026. Photo: VNA.

The organizing committee presented national flags and portraits of President Ho Chi Minh to the villages and sub-districts of Chieng Son commune, contributing to the awakening of patriotism, national pride, revolutionary spirit, and profound gratitude towards the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, especially during the Tet holiday and the arrival of spring.

“Today, receiving the national flag and a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh makes me very happy and excited. I will hang the portrait of President Ho Chi Minh at the cultural center, and on every holiday and Tet (Lunar New Year), I will display the national flag there,” shared Mr. Ngo Van Dieu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Branch of Sub-district 30/4, Chieng Son Commune.

The program also coordinated with the armed forces and the Women's Association of the commune to organize the making of banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to donate to poor households and children in difficult circumstances, contributing to strengthening the solidarity between the military and the people in the border area.

Ms. Luong Thi Tham, a member of the Women's Association in sub-district 3, Chieng Son commune, was very happy to participate in the banh chung wrapping competition in solidarity with women in border areas. Everyone's wish is to wrap green banh chung to donate to children in the highlands.

Within the framework of the "Accompanying Women in Border Areas" program, there are also meaningful cultural and sports activities aimed at creating a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere among the people. Participating units organize "zero-cost" stalls to donate essential goods to the people. These activities are lively, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere during the Lunar New Year, encouraging people of all ethnic groups, especially women in border areas, to strive for self-improvement, enhance their roles in the family and community, and contribute to strengthening the great unity between the military and the people, maintaining peace in the border regions of the Fatherland.