Watching lion dances, enjoying drum performances, and carrying lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival… these seemingly ordinary things are the dreams of many children in the mountainous border region of Muong Cai, Chieng Khoong commune, Son La province. Playing the role of lion dancers, performing magic tricks, and reenacting the "Cuoi and the Moon" scene were officers and soldiers of the Son La Border Guard. Bringing gifts up the mountain slopes to this remote border area were also accompanying units and philanthropists. From candies, milk, and teddy bears for nearly 1,000 students, to hundreds of warm jackets and scholarships for underprivileged students… Quang Thi Ngoc Vy, a student in class 8B at Muong Cai Ethnic Boarding Primary and Secondary School, Chieng Khoong commune, Son La, expressed: “This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival was very happy for me because I got to watch the lion dance. This was my first time, as I’ve never seen one before. I really enjoyed it.”

Lion dance performance by the Son La Border Guard at the Muong Cai border area, Chieng Khoong commune, Son La (Photo: Le Hanh/ VOV Northwest)

Ms. Do Minh Hanh, Secretary of the Youth Union of the Son La Provincial Department of Health, one of the units accompanying the "Borderland - Mid-Autumn Festival Night" program in Muong Cai, said: "This year's Mid-Autumn Festival, we are very happy to cooperate with the Muong Cai Border Guard Station to organize a meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival for students in the border region. A meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival, and we hope that children in the border area in particular, and children throughout the country in general, will have a truly meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival."

Meaningful gifts and scholarships were presented to underprivileged students who overcame difficulties (Photo: Le Hanh/VOV Northwest).

The sweet aroma of sticky rice cakes and baked mooncakes, the sparkling lights of Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns, and the vibrant atmosphere of lion and dragon dances brought the Mid-Autumn Festival to the children of Huoi Le village, Muong Lan commune, Son La province. In addition to 300 gifts for students, the Muong Lan Border Guard Post and its partners also provided 80 gifts for disadvantaged families. These simple gifts made this year's Mid-Autumn Festival even more complete and warm. Captain Nguyen Manh Phuong, Deputy Political Officer of the Muong Lan Border Guard Post, said: "Huoi Le village in Muong Lan commune is a border village, home to the Mong and Khmu ethnic minorities. Children here often suffer disadvantages due to limited material and spiritual resources. The Post has connected with charitable organizations with the desire to organize a meaningful Mid-Autumn Festival night for the children, with star-shaped lanterns, lion dances, moon-gazing feasts, cultural performances, and a shared feast to celebrate the festival…"

Each gift, though small, brings special joy during the Mid-Autumn Festival (Photo: Le Hanh/VOV Northwest).

These days, across the border areas of Son La province, Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations are being simultaneously organized by border guard posts, in coordination with schools, local Party committees, and authorities. According to Colonel Vu Duc Tu, Deputy Political Commissar of the Son La Provincial Border Guard Command, in addition to the festive activities, there are also very meaningful gifts. The celebrations are not only held at central locations, but special attention is also paid to remote schools, some as far as 20 km from the center. Every school is cared for, ensuring that each child has a warm and joyful Mid-Autumn Festival and is encouraged to excel in their studies.

No modern games, no expensive cakes and gifts… the simple Mid-Autumn Festival is still coming to children and people throughout the highlands and border regions of Son La. This is a special source of encouragement, giving students here more motivation to stay in school, overcome difficulties, and strive for success. From here, the "people's support" is also being built more firmly in this remote border area of ​​the Fatherland.

Le Hanh