Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai, Deputy Chief of Political Department of the Vietnam Border Guard, Head of the delegation of young officers of the Vietnam People's Army and Colonel Amphan Saynhasubhat, Deputy Director of the Border Guard Department, General Staff, Head of the delegation of young officers of the Lao People's Army presented scholarships to poor students on both sides of the border. Photo: Viet Lam

After days of heavy rain, on the morning of October 2, the border area between Long Sap (Moc Chau district, Son La province) and Pa Hang (Sop Bau district, Hua Phan province) had light sunshine and clear blue sky. Very early, many officers and soldiers from armed forces units, authorities, youth union members and local people on both sides of the border were present, eagerly waiting for activities towards the 2nd Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program.

Arriving on time as planned, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai, Deputy Chief of Political Department of the Vietnam Border Guard, Head of the delegation of young officers of the Vietnam People's Army, hosted the reception of Colonel Amphan Saynhasu-bat, Deputy Director of the Border Guard Department, General Staff, Head of the delegation of young officers of the Lao People's Army and the delegation of the neighboring country participating in the program. After a firm handshake and sincere greetings, the delegations of the two sides settled down at the area of ​​landmark 255 (Vietnam - Laos) so that the activities of the Exchange of Young Officers of the Vietnam - Laos Border Guard Force in 2024 could begin.

Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai's brief welcoming speech affirmed: "The exchange of young officers within the framework of the 2nd Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program demonstrates the great interest and trust of the leaders of the two countries' armies in the young generation, creating opportunities for the young generation of the two countries' armed forces to meet, exchange and share experiences, and at the same time, review the glorious, heroic, loyal and devoted tradition of the Vietnam - Laos relationship. On that basis, let's join hands to preserve, cultivate and further strengthen the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and the two States."

Immediately after that, the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam awarded 100 scholarships to students in schools in the border areas of Son La and Hua Phan provinces. The students who received each scholarship worth 2 million VND all have difficult family circumstances and have strived to study well. Lo Thi Tra My, a 5th grader at Long Xieng Primary School, Yen Chau District, is one of 30 students in the border area of ​​Son La province to receive scholarships. When asked about her family circumstances, Lo Thi Tra My shared: "My parents both work in the fields, working very hard to raise my 4 siblings. The scholarship money from the program is very meaningful, I will always try to study and practice well to become a useful person for society."

In recent times, along with their political missions, the armies of Vietnam and Laos have always paid attention to and cared for the lives of people in the border areas. Affirming that, within the framework of the 2nd Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense has decided to donate 60 breeding cows to 60 households living on the border of Son La and Hua Phan provinces. Donating breeding cows to households is also one of the key activities in the young officer exchange program.

Mr. Thao Khua Lo, Mong ethnic group, Mong Nam village, Xieng Kho district, Hua Phan province, represented his family to receive the breeding cows. Receiving the breeding cows from Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai and Colonel Am-phan Xay-nha-sụ-bát, Mr. Lo emotionally said: "Thank you to the army for giving us the opportunity to develop livestock farming, eliminate hunger and reduce poverty. I will try to take care of the cows to be healthy, give birth to many calves to have capital to do business."

Along with activities to care for the lives of people on the border, the program also has many tasks and projects aimed at educating and promoting solidarity for the youth on both sides of the border. Specifically, the delegations of both sides participated in planting friendship trees and friendship flower gardens on both sides of landmark 255 (Vietnam - Laos). The trees and flower gardens were planted and cared for by officers and soldiers with the desire to contribute to beautifying the landscape and environment in the border area.

Young officers from Vietnam and Laos plant friendship trees on both sides of the border. Photo: Viet Lam

One of the activities that young officers and youth union members from localities on both sides of the border are eagerly waiting for is the cross-border cross-country race. Participating in this special race, athletes start from milestone 255 to the center of Pa Hang village and then return to Long Sap village to finish at the starting point. At the end of the race, Thang A Cua, Long Phieng village, Long Sap commune, was the athlete who won first prize in the event for local youth union members. Mr. Cua shared: “We are very happy to participate in the activities in the exchange program. Through this, officers of military units and youth union members from both sides have the opportunity to exchange, learn, and increase solidarity and attachment.”

Taking place in just one day with many different activities, but thanks to careful preparation, the 2024 Vietnam - Laos Border Guard Young Officers Exchange ended successfully. Other activities within the framework of the 2nd Vietnam - Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program will continue in the coming time.

Saying goodbye to the Vietnamese delegation returning home, Mr. Tho Su, Head of Pa Hang village, Sop Bau district, Hua Phan province affirmed: “Participating in the program, we acknowledge the special feelings and affection of the Vietnamese Army, government and people towards the Lao people. We will continue to coordinate with the Border Guard, Army and Police of the two countries to protect the border, prevent and combat all types of crimes. Thereby, contributing to building a peaceful, friendly, stable and developed border.”

Write Lam