Lying faintly in the midst of overlapping rocky mountains, the A Pa Chai Border Guard Station at the westernmost point of the Fatherland is known by many as a place where "one rooster crows, three countries listen together". The atmosphere in the days leading up to Tet here is not noisy and bustling, not a single fireworks, but still warm enough like a Vietnamese family.
Tet at the station comes in the cool scent of the forest, in the cold of the northeast monsoon coming and in the colors of wild peach blossoms showing off their colors. There are still silent footsteps of border guards patrolling the border day and night.
In the days leading up to Tet, the barracks are also busier than usual, the pot of banh chung still radiating warmth in the corner of the unit's yard. Unlike their usual work, many officers and soldiers are working together to renovate the barracks and replace the faded national flag in the mountain wind.
Even more special, the unit also set aside a corner of the playground for children because this year many military families have traveled hundreds of kilometers of mountain passes to once celebrate Tet with their loved ones in the border area.
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Dung - Commander of A Pa Chai Border Guard Station emotionally said at the year-end meeting: "This year, with the families of officers and soldiers coming to celebrate Tet together, the unit becomes even warmer. But in the joy of Spring, welcoming Tet, we must always put the task of protecting border sovereignty and security first. That is an order from the heart of every Border Guard soldier.
On New Year's Eve, the inspection and review of on-duty plans are still tightly deployed. Weapons and equipment to ensure combat readiness are meticulously checked; communication systems, observation equipment, and patrol equipment are all carefully maintained. In the border area of the Fatherland, there is no moment of relaxation, even during New Year's Eve.
The Mong boy who celebrates Tet away from home for the first time - soldier Mua A Phu said: "At home at this time, my family is probably preparing pork, my younger brother is probably running around showing off his new clothes because he has new clothes. I miss home and surely the whole family misses me very much. But I believe that my family always feels proud because I am standing guard in the sacred westernmost part of the Fatherland.
Present on New Year's Eve, Ms. Huong - wife of an officer working at the Station shared: "My daughter really wants to celebrate Tet with her father, so the two mothers and daughters are here, at this hour. Coming here, I understand, share and be even more proud of my husband's work. Tet here is simple but unusually warm.
On New Year's Eve, on the border lines, patrol teams still quietly set off. Flashlight lights swept through the rocky slope, footsteps echoed into the cliffs. In the barracks, young children slept peacefully in their mother's arms; out there, soldiers stood guard under the flag, their eyes fixed on the deep border.
Tet in the westernmost region is not only banh chung smoke with a warm family meal, but also the green color of soldiers performing sacred duties. Here, personal joy blends with duty, family happiness goes hand in hand with responsibility to the country.
On New Year's Eve in the great forest, border guards are still diligently performing their sacred duties, because behind them are their families, their comrades, and the laughter of children growing up in peaceful life. Amidst the clouds and mountain winds, each soldier is silently keeping a complete Spring for the country.
