At Long Sap border gate (Moc Chau, Son La), the night temperature dropped to 5°C.
At the moment of harmony between heaven and earth, the transition from the old year to the new year, in the Northwest border, the only sound in the cold space is the rushing of the north wind through the mountains covered in fog. However, the green shirts of the border guards are still diligently patrolling, even though it is past midnight.
Senior Lieutenant Ha Van Tien, Captain of the Drug and Crime Prevention Team, Long Sap International Border Guard Station, shared: "New Year's Eve is a sensitive time. We not only guard against drug infiltration and trafficking activities, but also ensure the safety of people enjoying the spring. Soldiers usually just exchange a few quick greetings, then return to their duties."
Sitting around the fire at the guard station, the young lieutenant recalled that he had been on duty on New Year's Eve for four years, each year bringing a different feeling.
"The best part is when I patrol through the villages and see the people happily gathered together. The feeling of being with my fellow countrymen and comrades makes all my fatigue disappear" - as he spoke, the young officer's eyes lit up with the flickering of the red fire.
After more than 25 years of being attached to the Northwestern border region, this year is the 17th year that Lieutenant Colonel Mai The Canh - Political Commissar of Chieng Son Border Post (Son La) celebrates Tet away from home.
"This year, more than any other year, I had time to prepare Tet for my wife and children in my hometown in Nam Dinh before going up the mountain to carry out my duty to my compatriots and my country. In other years, my wife takes care of the Tet work and the work for both sides of my family," said the station commander.
Also according to Lieutenant Colonel Mai The Canh, at the sacred moment of New Year's Eve, families call and send each other New Year greetings.
"During Tet, the station also organizes for soldiers to make banh chung, have trays of five fruits, have fun and entertainment activities, and do the same at home. We also help people clean the streets and cultural houses, have cultural and sports exchange programs to strengthen the relationship between the army and the people in the fog covering the mountains" - Lieutenant Colonel Mai The Canh said.
Lieutenant Colonel Vi Van Chuong - Head of Propaganda Department, Son La Provincial Border Guard said that Son La Provincial Border Guard is responsible for managing and protecting 274 km of border, adjacent to the two provinces of Hua Phan and Luang Prabang (Laos).
According to Lieutenant Colonel Chuong, the Provincial Border Guard Command has directed units to develop plans for Tet duty at checkpoints and working groups, taking turns patrolling and monitoring the area to ensure security and order before, during and after Tet. At the same time, support and encourage officers and soldiers to stay at their units and be ready to perform their duties.
"With the determination to enjoy the spring without forgetting their duties, border guards still increase patrols and controls along the route, maintaining sovereignty and security in the border area" - Head of Propaganda Department, Border Guard of Son La province excitedly said.
