Bunpimay in Truong Son range
Every April, like elsewhere in Laos, people in six border villages of A Bul, Pa Nol, Ta Long, Chi To, Keo, and Ta Vang in Ka Lum district, eagerly celebrate Bunpimay. In this joyful atmosphere, they are joined by those from neighboring Vietnamese villages of A Tu 1 and A Tu 2 in Hung Son commune, Da Nang city and officers and soldiers from Ga Ry Border Post of the Da Nang Municipal Border Guard Command.
    |
 |
|
Sr. Col. Hoang Van Man presents gifts to Lao people during Bunpimay. |
After four years, the program “Bunpimay - Strengthening Friendship between Vietnamese and Lao Border People” has been expanded with support from local authorities and organizations in Hung Son commune. With more mobilized resources from businesses and benefactors, the program has been organized more professionally.
During the 2026 edition held on April 11, the organizers presented 1,000 gift packages, 12 tons of rice, 5,000 clothing sets, two savings books, two TV sets, 10 solar lamps, and 150 farming tools to the six above-mentioned Lao border villages, Border Company 534 under the Sekong Provincial Military Command, Ka Lum border police, and residents of A Tu 1 and A Tu 2 villages.
Senior Colonel Hoang Van Man, Political Commissar of the Da Nang Municipal Border Guard Command, said these gifts came from the unit and donors. This practical program helped bolster solidarity, coordination, and bonds between armed forces and people on both sides of the shared border, contributing to a border of peace, stability, and sustainable development. It also encouraged locals to join efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty and security.
|
|
 |
|
Ga Ry Border Post officers join games with Lao residents. |
With many years taking on missions along the Vietnam - Laos border, Col. Man understands that these actions are not only border diplomacy work but also the demonstration that the two countries are brothers in both the literal and figurative sense.
Actually, during the resistance war against the U.S. imperialists, Co Tu ethnic people along the Truong Son range supported the war effort. After border demarcation, many families held dual nationality but still shared common origins and history. In villages like A Bul, Pa Nol, Ta Long, Chi To, Keo, and Ta Vang, some still keep certificates of service to Vietnam’s revolution, and photos of President Ho Chi Minh are displayed alongside President Kaysone Phomvihane.
Phan Van Do, party secretary and head of A Bul village, shared that in the past, New Year celebrations were modest due to hardship and remoteness. In recent years, thanks to Ga Ry Border Post and donors, celebrations have become more complete and meaningful. Local residents always bear in mind the care from Hung Son commune’s authorities and Ga Ri Border Post.
Cross-border solidarity
The “meal of unity” always closes the program, where people from both sides gather, recall traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos, and reaffirm their commitment to protecting the border and border markers.
|
|
 |
|
The post supports Lao students under its sponsorship program. |
One story standing out during this year’s “meal of unity” was that on March 19, 2026, Ga Ry Border Post urgently assisted a Lao woman, Si Phet Sa Mi, born 2004 from A Bul village, with a difficult childbirth. Six Vietnamese border guards promptly transported her to A Tu 1 village, later Tay Giang Medical Center in Da Nang city. Seeing her lack of belongings, they raised VND 2 million to support her stay and buy baby supplies. After a three-hour journey to the medical center, she safely delivered a healthy 3kg baby girl. Her husband, Riah Kham Di, named the child Mit Ta Phap Riah (“Friendship Riah”) in gratitude.
This was just one of many acts of support. Due to harsh conditions and isolation, Lao border communities face many hardships. Ga Ry Border Post regularly provides food, essentials, and farming support to them. During the historic floods in late 2025, the post gave them nearly 1,000 relief packages.
Each year, the post organizes the “Border spring warms people’s hearts” program, always including gifts for Lao communities. In 2026, it opened a “Vietnam - Laos friendship stall” allowing Lao residents to freely receive goods, along with 500 gift packages.
Attentively, through the program “Paving the way to school for students – Adopted children of border posts,” the post has sponsored three Lao students, providing monthly financial aid and mobilizing additional support to them.
|
|
 |
|
Vietnamese border guard officers assist a Lao woman to Tay Giang Medical Center for childbirth. |
These efforts have become a major source of both material and spiritual encouragement, helping nurture “seeds of friendship” along the Vietnam - Laos border. Step by step, such actions foster the friendship between Vietnam - Laos in general and Hung Son commune and Ka Lum district in particular, building a border of peace and friendship.
Translated by Mai Huong