Resolutely prevent and combat crimes in border areas
On a sunny December afternoon, Major Dao Trong Dung - a Border Control officer at Tan Hung Border Control Station, Song Trang Border Post - and his teammates are still tirelessly patrolling the border. With more than 15km of border, stretching across three communes of Hung Ha, Hung Dien and Hung Dien B of Tan Hung district, Long An province, the soldiers here are always working hard to protect sovereignty and ensure border security.
Stopping to wipe his sweat, Major Trong Dung shared: “We do this patrol work day and night, regardless of rain or shine. It is the responsibility and duty of every soldier to keep the border area peaceful.”
With nearly 20 years of working at Song Trang Border Guard Station, he is always deeply aware of his heavy responsibility: controlling immigration, ensuring security and order, fighting against crime and maintaining diplomatic relations with Cambodia.
Among the missions, the fight against drug crimes is considered the most difficult. According to Major Trong Dung, criminals are increasingly sophisticated, reckless, and ready to use weapons to fight back when discovered. Drug cases often have to be carried out in harsh weather conditions, and soldiers even have to lie in ambush for many days on rugged terrain, eating only dry food and drinking water to avoid being discovered.
In early September 2024, Major Trong Dung and his teammates successfully dismantled a drug trafficking ring that illegally transported 25kg of drugs across the border. This is just one of many feats that demonstrate the bravery and resilience of the border guards.
“We are always determined to fight all types of crime, no matter how dangerous,” Major Trong Dung affirmed.
Connect with the people
Leaving his hometown Phu Tho to the South to carry out his mission for nearly 20 years, Major Trong Dung considers this place his second home. He shared that during the days when he is not near his family, only his teammates and the people are the support that gives him the motivation to complete his mission.
“For me, every citizen on the border is a living milestone, a border protector, a companion of the soldiers. The love between the army and the people is shown very deeply,” Major Trong Dung expressed.
Over the years, Song Trang Border Guard Station has coordinated with other units to implement many programs to support people in the southwestern border area. For example, the "Border gong model" promotes the evils of cross-border trafficking of women and children, helping women raise their knowledge, awareness and join hands to protect the border.
According to Major Trong Dung, Tan Hung is a border district, with 3 communes directly bordering Kong Pong Tra Bek district, Pray Veng province and Svay Chum district, Svay Rieng province of Cambodia, of which Hung Ha is the commune with the most poor and disadvantaged women. The program "Accompanying women in the border areas", although only implemented for a few years, has brought practical results for members, poor women in the border areas.
At the end of the year, criminals often seek to transport banned goods to Vietnam for consumption. On that basis, Major Trong Dung and his teammates continue to strengthen border management and protection; closely coordinate with other forces to effectively combat all types of crime.
“We also do not forget to promote propaganda, dissemination and legal education so that people do not participate in or assist in smuggling and illegal entry and exit,” Major Trong Dung emphasized.
