Spring has arrived in the highest and most remote villages on the border of Son La province. After long days shrouded in mist and cold, the golden sunshine of the new year illuminates the hillsides still covered in night dew. Peach, apricot, and plum blossoms compete to show off their colors, covering the villages in a vibrant spring cloak. In the spring breeze, the sounds of flutes and pipes played by the local people resound, blending with the laughter and chatter, inviting spring to every house and every winding slope.
In the early days of the new year, Phiêng Pằn possesses a unique beauty. This windy border region seems to have been given a new look, not only by the vibrant colors of the flowers but also by the joy of change evident in every family. In the atmosphere of spring, the happiness is even more complete as many households celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) for the first time in their spacious new homes.
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The collective of police officers of Phiêng Pằn commune police station are carrying out their duties.
These homes were built with love, responsibility, and the joint efforts of the Party, the State, local authorities, and relevant agencies. More than just shelter from the rain and sun, these new houses also ignite hope for a more stable and fulfilling life for the people in the highlands, who still face many difficulties.
Having lived half his life, Mr. Vi Van Chi from Ket Hay village never imagined that his family would one day have a sturdy house like this. For a long time, his and his wife's lives depended entirely on their corn and cassava fields, with unstable income making the dream of a solid house seem too far-fetched. Every rainy and sunny season, their dilapidated temporary house became a constant worry, because even a strong gust of wind could blow away everything his family owned.
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Giàng A Cơ's family life has changed significantly thanks to the attention of the Party and the State.
This spring is different. Thanks to the policy of eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses, along with 60 million VND in support from the State, and the help of the police, army, local authorities, and villagers, his family now has a sturdy new house to celebrate Tet.
On the day he moved into his new house, the man from the Thai ethnic group couldn't hide his emotions. His eyes welled up as he said that his family had been very poor before, unable to afford a house even though they had prepared some building materials. Now, thanks to the government's support, he and his wife and children are overjoyed and have more motivation to work hard and raise their children well. For Mr. Chi, the new house is not only the biggest asset in his life but also the beginning of a new journey – a journey of faith, hope, and determination to overcome poverty.
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The police in Phiêng Pằn commune assist the people in carrying out administrative procedures.
About 5km away, just like Mr. Chi, Mr. Giang A Co's family is celebrating the Lunar New Year in a new house built with financial and labor support from the police, army, and local authorities. Their approximately 1-hectare plot of land is their main source of livelihood; life is still full of hardships, but having a stable home has given him even more determination to strive for a better life.
He plans to take on more work and acquire more farmland to improve his income and provide his two young children with better educational opportunities. The look in the eyes of this man from the highlands as he gazes at his newly built house reflects not only present joy but also a yearning for the future. A simple yet incredibly powerful aspiration.
The houses built in the villages not only hold material value but also embody affection, responsibility, and sharing. The image of police officers and soldiers working alongside the villagers, transporting materials, mixing concrete, and building houses during the year-end period, has become a beautiful memory in the hearts of the people. These are moments where the distance between law enforcement and the people seems to disappear, replaced by a close bond like that of a family.
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Being close to the people and respecting the people is the goal of the police officers of Phiêng Pằn commune.
From July 1st, 2025, the newly formed Phiêng Pằn commune, created by merging three communes, will implement a two-tiered local government model. Its large geographical area, scattered population, difficult transportation, and border location create numerous complex security and order issues, particularly cross-border crime. These challenges place significant demands on the local police force in maintaining peace and security in the area.
Immediately after implementing the new model, the Phiêng Pằn Commune Police proactively developed a plan to ensure security and order, using work efficiency as a measure. After more than half a year of operation, the unit has implemented many professional measures in a coordinated manner, successfully dismantling many cases and special operations, contributing to maintaining peace and security in the area.
Speaking to reporters, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Trong Nghia, Head of the Commune Police, said that to fulfill their duties, the most important thing is to stay close to the people, understand them, and rely on them. Officers and soldiers regularly go down to the villages to assess the situation, enlisting the support of village elders, heads of hamlets, and influential people to promptly detect and handle emerging issues. As a border area, the unit also strengthens coordinated patrols with the Border Guard and the Army to ensure security and order and maintain peace for the people.
Beyond their professional duties, the commune police force actively supports the people in production, disaster prevention, and disease control. These seemingly small actions contribute to strengthening the people's trust in the police force—a trust built on dedication, responsibility, and genuine affection. This effort has been recognized and highly appreciated by the local Party committee and government. Mr. Ha Xuan Liem, Secretary of the Commune Party Committee, assessed that the commune police officers have left a very positive impression on the people, earning their trust and support in carrying out their duties. The close bond between the police force and the people is a crucial foundation for building a strong people's security posture at the grassroots level.
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The commune police and the Army and Border Guard forces have intensified patrols in the border area.
In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), when villages are bustling with preparations for the spring festival, the sight of police officers diligently patrolling, monitoring, and disseminating legal information becomes increasingly familiar. Some villages are very far from the commune center, requiring hours of walking to reach, but the officers' footsteps never falter. More than anyone else, they understand that their presence is a source of peace and security for the people, a shield protecting the peace on the border.
Spring in Phiêng Pằn is not only about blooming flowers and singing birds, but also about the joy of change unfolding day by day. Roads are gradually being widened, new houses are replacing temporary shelters, and people's lives are improving step by step. In this journey, the silent mark of the security forces is evident – those who not only maintain security and order but also contribute to caring for the people's lives, building trust and unity within the community. Behind the peace of each house and each road in the highlands are the persistent footsteps of the green-uniformed soldiers. Despite many difficulties and shortages, with a sense of responsibility and love for their profession, they remain day and night, staying close to the villages and people, maintaining security at the grassroots level.
Peach blossoms still bloom on the rocky mountains, smoke still rises from the stilt houses, and children's laughter echoes in the warm spring sunshine. And amidst this peaceful scene, the green uniforms of the police officers silently stand, carrying responsibility, faith, and the warmth of spring to every village in this remote border region.
It is not only the spring of nature, but also the spring of the human heart, of change, and of faith blossoming in the Phiêng Pằn border region.
Cao Thien - Trung Hieu