Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of the Vietnam Border Guard, Head of the delegation of young officers of the Vietnam People's Army, and Colonel Amphan Xaynhasubhat, 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 2nd, the border area between Long Sap (Moc Chau district, Son La province) and Pa Hang (Sop Bau district, Hua Phan province) enjoyed clear, sunny weather. From early morning, a large number of officers and soldiers from the armed forces, government officials, youth union members, and local people from both sides of the border were present, eagerly awaiting the activities leading up to the 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program.

Arriving precisely on schedule, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai, Deputy Head of the Political Department of the Vietnam Border Guard, and Head of the delegation of young officers from the Vietnam People's Army, presided over the welcoming ceremony for Colonel Amphan Xaynhasubhat, Deputy Director of the Border Guard Department, General Staff, and Head of the delegation of young officers from the Lao People's Army, along with the Lao delegation participating in the program. After firm handshakes and heartfelt greetings, the delegations from both sides settled down at border marker 255 (Vietnam - Laos) to begin the activities of the 2024 Vietnam - Laos Border Guard Young Officers Exchange Program.

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 concern and trust of the leaders of the two countries' armies in the younger generation, creating opportunities for the young generation of the armed forces of the two countries to interact, exchange experiences, and at the same time, recall the glorious, heroic, and loyal traditions of the Vietnam-Laos relationship. On that basis, let's work together to preserve, cultivate, and further strengthen the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and the two States."

Following that was the awarding of 100 scholarships from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to students from schools in the border areas of Son La and Hua Phan provinces. Each scholarship, worth 2 million VND, was given to students from disadvantaged families who have strived to excel in their studies. Lo Thi Tra My, a 5th-grade student at Long Xieng Primary School in Yen Chau district, was one of the 30 students in the border area of ​​Son La province who received a scholarship. When asked about her family circumstances, Lo Thi Tra My shared: “My parents both work in the fields, and they work very hard to support my four siblings and me through school. The scholarship money from this program means a great deal to me. I will always try my best to study and train well to become a useful member of society.”

Over the past period, alongside their political duties, the armies of Vietnam and Laos have always paid attention to and cared for the lives of people living in border areas. Affirming this, within the framework of the 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense decided to donate 60 breeding cows to 60 households living along the border between Son La and Hua Phan provinces. Donating breeding cows to these households is also one of the key activities in the young officer exchange program.

Mr. Thao Khua Lo, a Mong ethnic minority from Mong Nam village, Xieng Kho district, Hua Phan province, represented his family in receiving the breeding cow. Receiving the cow from Colonel Nguyen Thanh Hai and Colonel Amphan Xaynhasubatt, Mr. Lo emotionally said: “Thank you to the army for giving us the opportunity to develop livestock farming and alleviate poverty. I will try my best to take care of the cow so it stays healthy and gives birth to many calves to use as capital for our business.”

Along with activities aimed at improving the lives of people in border areas, the program also includes many projects and initiatives focused on educating and fostering solidarity among young people on both sides of the border. Specifically, delegations from both sides participated in planting friendship trees and friendship flower gardens in the area on both sides of border marker 255 (Vietnam - Laos). These trees and flower gardens were planted and cared for by officers and soldiers with the hope of contributing to beautifying the landscape and environment in the border area.

Young officers from Vietnam and Laos plant a friendship tree along the border. Photo: Viet Lam

One of the activities that young officers and youth union members from localities on both sides of the border eagerly awaited was the cross-border cross-country race. In this special race, athletes started from border marker 255, went to the center of Pa Háng village, and then returned to Lóng Sập village, finishing back at the starting point. At the end of the race, Mr. Tháng A Của from Lóng Phiêng village, Lóng Sập commune, won first prize in the category for local youth union members. Mr. Của shared: “We are very happy to participate in the activities of the exchange program. Through this, officers from military units and youth union members from both sides have the opportunity to interact, learn from each other, and strengthen solidarity and close ties.”

Although it only lasted one day with many different activities, thanks to thorough preparation, the 2024 Vietnam-Laos Border Guard Young Officers Exchange Program concluded successfully. Other activities within the framework of the 2nd Vietnam-Laos Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program will continue in the near future.

Bidding farewell to the Vietnamese delegation returning home, Mr. Tho Su, Head of Pa Hang village, Sop Bau district, Hua Phan province, affirmed: “Participating in this program, we acknowledge the special affection and kindness of the Vietnamese Army, government, and people towards the Lao people. We will continue to cooperate with the Border Guard, Army, and Police of both countries to protect the border and prevent and combat all types of crime. Through this, we contribute to building a peaceful, friendly, stable, and developing border.”

Viet Lam