The Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station not only plays a role in protecting territorial sovereignty and national security, but is also an interesting destination for those who love exploring border regions, learning about the lives of soldiers and civilians, and border protection activities.

- Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Hung - Commander of Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station - Son La Provincial Border Guard Command, second person from the left of the Deputy Commander of the Border Guard.

The Long Sap Border Gate Border Guard Station is responsible for managing and protecting a 31.147 km stretch of border with 17 national border markers and one international border gate; adjacent to the Pa Hang - Huoi Hieng area, Sop Bau district, Hua Phan province, Lao People's Democratic Republic. It is in charge of the Long Sap commune area with a population of 2,047 households/9,655 people, distributed across 22 villages, comprising 6 ethnic groups (Kinh, Thai, Muong, Mong, Kho Mu, and Dao).
To achieve peaceful and safe springs, the soldiers serving on the border have to endure countless sacrifices and hardships. They spend months patrolling, inspecting, and controlling the border regardless of rain or sunshine. Especially in the months leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the soldiers have to strain themselves to combat drug trafficking, criminal activities, and smuggling across the border. However, with the heroic spirit and will of Uncle Ho's soldiers, they overcome all difficulties and challenges. Their achievements are recognized and appreciated by the people.

Border guards from the Long Sap International Border Gate Post are making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) with the local people.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Hung, Commander of the Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station under the Son La Provincial Border Guard Command, stated: “During Tet (Lunar New Year), everyone longs to be reunited with their families, but for us, protecting the peace and security of the Fatherland's border is a sacred and noble duty. What keeps me and my comrades confident and determined to fulfill our duties is our deep love for our homeland, guided by the motto 'The station is our home, the border is our homeland, and the people of all ethnic groups are our brothers and sisters.' We understand that the peace and security of every family and every village across the country stems from the stability and security of our border lines.”
“Besides that, a sense of responsibility to the Fatherland and the people always motivates us. Even during long nights on duty or holidays away from home, we are always proud to contribute our small part to the cause of protecting the sacred sovereignty and territory of the country. Furthermore, camaraderie and solidarity within the unit are a solid foundation. We always stand shoulder to shoulder, sharing all difficulties, so that each officer and soldier feels warm and has more motivation to successfully complete their nhiệm vụ,” Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Hung added.

Program “Springtime at the Border Guard Station, Warming the Hearts of the Local People” – Long Sap Border Gate Border Guard Post

The border region is where spring first arrives on the gentle, S-shaped land of Vietnam. There, in the early days of spring, amidst the vast green of the mountains and forests, glimpses of soldiers' uniforms are interspersed with the vibrant colors of spring blossoms such as plum, apricot, pear, and peach. Spring in the border region also brings the resounding sounds of flutes, reed pipes, gongs, and drums from the villages – the sounds of the bond between soldiers and civilians working together to protect the homeland.

The Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station organized free medical examinations and dispensed free medicine, set up a free stall and a food stall with free meals to help local people have a more complete Tet holiday at the Vietnam-Laos Border Friendship Military-Civilian Medical Station.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Hung – Commander of the Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station - Son La Provincial Border Guard Command shared: “Each night on duty at the border brings its own stories, but perhaps the most memorable experience for me was on a freezing winter night last year. At that time, the weather was very harsh, with thick fog and limited visibility. We were carrying out patrol and control duties to prevent illegal entry and exit. Suddenly, we detected signs of illegal border crossing activity.”
“In the tranquil darkness of the night, we quickly deployed our team, employing professional tactics to approach. Despite the tension, with calmness and experience, we successfully subdued the suspect, preventing a timely violation of our territorial sovereignty. At that moment, looking back at the sacred landmark of our homeland still standing tall in the night, I felt a surge of pride and immense responsibility. It wasn't just a night patrol, but also a testament to the vigilance and determination of border guards in safeguarding every inch of our homeland. This memory further ingrained in my mind the importance of each guard duty, each patrol step along the border,” said Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Hung.

The Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station has donated many practical gifts such as rice, warm blankets, warm clothes, and essential goods to disadvantaged families, families entitled to preferential policies, and students.

The border region, at the northernmost point of the country, is perhaps the place where the arrival of spring is most palpable. In the early days of spring, the mountain mist thins, and the lingering chill of late winter fades away. Amidst the endless expanse of mountains and forests, the vibrant colors of peach blossoms, bright red banana flowers, and the national flag fluttering proudly, affirming sovereignty, fill the air. On early spring mornings, more people from the villages flock to the market, their laughter and chatter more boisterous, no longer needing to carry so many layers of clothing after the biting cold of winter has passed.
Springtime on the borderlands, green trees open the way, mountains and forests appear earlier in the sunlight and the spring breeze blows against the mountain cliffs. Springtime on the border brings with it soldiers far from home, day and night on duty guarding the border and protecting the homeland. Every time spring arrives, surely in the hearts of the soldiers, there is a longing for home, intertwined with excitement and anticipation for the new spring. But surely no soldier feels lonely or empty, because above all, on the borderlands, spring is embraced by the bond between soldiers and civilians. These soldiers far from home get to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) with their villages, immersing themselves in spring festivals. Therefore, these soldiers guarding the land always consider the borderlands their second home. There, they perform their duties and celebrate Tet in a joyful, enthusiastic, and colorful atmosphere.

The Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station not only plays a role in protecting territorial sovereignty and national security, but is also an interesting destination for those who love exploring border regions, learning about the lives of soldiers and civilians, and border protection activities.

“To bring the warmth of spring to the ethnic minority people in the border areas during the Lunar New Year of 2026, we organized the program “Border Guard Spring, Warming the Hearts of the People”. This is an annual activity, demonstrating the deep concern of the Party Committee and the Command of the Son La Provincial Border Guard, the efforts of the Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station, and the joint efforts of benefactors and philanthropists,” said Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Hung.
As Tet (Lunar New Year) arrives and spring returns, in addition to caring for the officers and soldiers in the unit, the Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station also pays attention to, shares with, and stands alongside the people in the border area, especially with policy beneficiary families, those who have contributed to the revolution, and the poor and disadvantaged. The spring on the border seems even more beautiful because of the close, bonded, and affectionate relationship between the military and the people, working together to protect the territory of the homeland.
Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Hung further shared: “In the program “Spring at the Border Guard, Warming the Hearts of the People”, we donated many practical gifts such as rice, warm blankets, warm clothes, and essential goods to disadvantaged families, policy beneficiary families, and students. We also organized free medical examinations and medicine distribution, opened a free food stall and a food stall with free meals so that people could have a more complete Tet holiday. Specifically: At the program, we donated 200 gift packages, each worth 1 million VND, including: 1 ton of rice, warm blankets, warm clothes, mosquito nets, and essential goods and necessities, Tet gifts to disadvantaged people and policy beneficiary families in Long Sap commune. We also gave 42 gift packages to students of Long Sap Primary and Secondary School and the children of the Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Post, under the model “Nurturing Green Seeds at the Border - Stepping Towards the Future”, with each package averaging 1 million VND. We donated 1 million VND worth of goods; a bridge worth 680 million VND; 2.5 hectares of tea seedlings worth 35 million VND to the Women's Union of Long Sap commune; and 354 warm jackets to teachers and students at disadvantaged schools of Long Sap Kindergarten. In addition, we collaborated with philanthropists to open a free food stall and a food stall, providing 400 free meals for the people in the commune; organized free medical examinations and dispensed free medicine, and distributed gifts to 400 people, worth 200 million VND. Furthermore, officers and soldiers of the Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Post provided free haircuts for the local people; organized the making of traditional Tet cakes (Banh Chung and Banh Day)... The total resources amounted to nearly 1.2 billion VND. Besides that, activities such as making Banh Chung and Banh Day and cultural exchanges contributed to bringing the vibrant atmosphere of traditional Tet to the people, so that everyone could celebrate the season. "May the new spring be warm, prosperous, and full of joy."
“I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my family, who have always encouraged, cared for, and supported me, providing a strong emotional foundation, always understanding and sharing the difficulties and hardships I faced while carrying out my duties. The support and love of my family are the greatest source of motivation for me to complete my mission,” said Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Hung.
“To all our compatriots nationwide, I hope that we will continue to work together, united in spirit, and uphold the national solidarity to build and firmly protect our Fatherland. In particular, I hope that our people will always look towards the border, joining hands with the border guards to maintain peace at the forefront of our country. As for us border guards, we pledge to always maintain a high level of vigilance, be ready to accept and excellently fulfill all tasks entrusted to us by the Party, the State, the Army, and the people, contributing to building a peaceful, stable, and prosperous border,” Lieutenant Colonel Tran Nam Hung further emphasized.
Spring has arrived in the border region, the forests dotted with vibrant colors. Throughout the mountains and forests, the songs and flutes of the local boys and girls preparing for the spring festival resound. And glimpses of green uniforms can be seen on patrol; spring has arrived on their shoulders, on the national flag fluttering proudly. A new spring with new tasks and new victories.