Soldiers from Chiềng On Border Guard Station give free haircuts to children in Phiêng Khoài Commune. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Quyết

HÀ NỘI — Provinces and cities across the country have worked hard to bring a happy Tết (Lunar New Year) to the people.

Spring at the border

In the spring atmosphere, the Nậm Lạnh Border Guard Station coordinated with the Nậm Lạnh Commune People's Committee and volunteers to organise the programme "Spring in border areas warms people’s hearts – Salute the Party’s and the country's innovation for a happy new year 2024”.

The programme took place at the Na Khoang Primary and Secondary Boarding School for Ethnic Students in Mường Và Commune, Sốp Cộp District, Sơn La northern mountainous province.

It included many meaningful activities such as free health examination and providing medicine to people; giving 70 gifts to 70 poor households from Cáp Ven, Huổi Niếng and Huổi Ca villages; and giving 172 gifts to students at Cáp Ven and Nà Lừa schools.

Also in the programme, musical performances, free clothes stores and free haircuts were conducted, attracting a large number of students and people.

The Lóng Sập Border Guard Station in Mộc Châu District also held other activities.

It coordinated with benefactors to build new classrooms for students at Lóng Sập and Pu Nhan kindergartens.

The classrooms, with a total area of 96 sq.m, were completed after two months under construction.

The border station also installed a 200-square-metre roof covering the school yard, a school gate and a surrounding wall system.

It gave presents to the two kindergartens, including televisions, computers, gas stoves, water purifiers, carpets for the classrooms, 50 beds for students and 1,500 colouring books.

Lường Thị Hậu, a teacher of the Pu Nhan Kindergarten, said that she was really moved when her students had to study in old, temporary classrooms.

In winter, the cold weather directly impacted the teaching and learning quality.

Now, with spacious classrooms, teachers and students are very happy and excited.

The Lóng Sập Border Guard Station worked with the National Obstetrics Hospital, the Mộc Châu District General Hospital and the Lóng Sập Commune Health Station to give free examinations and distribute medicines for 1,000 people in border villages.

It donated medical equipment to several medical stations in Mộc Châu District.

In Phiêng Khoài Commune, Yên Châu District in Sơn La Province, officers and soldiers of the Chiềng On Border Guard Station worked with the district People's Committee and volunteer groups to organise the "Spring in border areas warms people’s hearts" programme.

At the programme, the station presented national flags and Uncle Hồ's photos to 30 villages of Phiêng Khoài Commune.

They also gave 400 gifts to 400 poor students, including blankets, warm clothes and school bags.

Hoàng Thị Đính Đang, a student of the Phiêng Khoài Junior Secondary School, said that she was happy to receive the gifts.

The new blankets, clothes and school bags would help her have a better winter.

The programme also organised free haircuts for students, competitions on wrapping chưng cakes, making dày cakes and displaying traditional fruit trays on Tết.

Colonel Vũ Đức Tú, Deputy Political Commissar of the Sơn La Border Guard Command, said that every time year when Tết and spring came, along with local authorities, the border guards coordinated with organisations to take care of poor households and poor students.

The activities have brought them hope for a brighter future.

They also encouraged people to feel secure in production and actively participate with the border guards and local authorities in firmly protecting the nation’s sovereignty and sacred territory.

Warm houses

After three months of construction, on January 15, a new house was given to Nguyễn Song Hải, 36, of Tạ Xá Commune, Cẩm Khê District, Phú Thọ northern province.

The spacious 100-square-metre house, with a total cost of nearly VNĐ500 million (US$20,300), given on Tết occasion, brings his family great joy.

Three other similar houses had been given to three people in Yên Lập District.

The Phú Thọ Provincial Party Committee said that the beneficiaries were poor, belonged to ethnic groups, and had no income or low income.

Previously, they lived in degraded and unsafe houses.

The houses were built with financial support from the provincial Party Committee and benefactors.

Bùi Đình Thi, head of the Phú Thọ Provincial Party Committee Organiser, said that the houses showed affection, and comradeship, and strengthened people's confidence in the Party's leadership.

The model was launched in 2021.

In more than two years, 39 houses were built.

Last year alone, 20 houses were built and were highly appreciated by the Government.

Thi affirmed that the model would be expanded.

Local authorities will tighten inspection to ensure the houses’ quality so that they will truly be great encouragement for local people. — VNS