Son La is a mountainous province, home to many ethnic minority groups such as the Thai, H’mong, Muong, and Khang. The lives of local residents remain difficult and are often affected by natural disasters. Aware of these hardships, the Party Committee and Chain-of-Command of Division 316 have long considered helping people stabilize their lives not simply a civic activity but a command from the heart, a vital combat mission in peacetime.
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Officers and soldiers of Division 316 help Giang A Du’s family in Huoi Sai village, Chieng So commune build their house. |
The floods that struck the region in July and August 2025 swept away houses in several communes, including Chieng So, Muong Lam, Huoi Mot, and Bo Sinh. To help affected families soon stabilize their lives, Division 316 deployed its personnel to construct and repair homes. Preparations, from surveying the sites to selecting soldiers with construction experience and assigning them to specific areas, were carried out methodically. Based on an understanding of each locality and household’s conditions, the division created suitable support plans and coordinated closely with local Party committees and authorities. Resources were mobilized efficiently, ensuring consensus before the work began.
Senior Colonel Lam Dung Tien, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of Division 316, said the division’s leadership always views helping people, especially ethnic minorities in remote areas, as an opportunity to strengthen political will and moral character in every officer and soldier. The unit launched an emulation campaign calling on troops to consider helping the people as helping their own families. Within only 50 days, 155 new houses were completed and handed over to the residents.
During the construction period, the officers and soldiers did more than just building houses. They lived and worked alongside the villagers. They shared daily routines, joined them in carrying bricks and timber, and erected house frames together. In remote hamlets, even when it rained for days, the soldiers stayed on site, taking advantage of the times when there was no rain to keep the work on schedule. Their diligence and sincerity touched the hearts of local people, turning each workday into a symbol of unity between the military and the community.
According to Lo Van Sam, head of Dua Cat village in Chieng So commune, the soldiers worked tirelessly, helping villagers carry bricks, tie bamboo beams, and build houses. They lived in harmony with the community, assisting with both major and minor tasks. Thanks to the soldiers’ help, families now have strong new homes and can focus on their livelihoods with confidence. The bond between the military and the people, he said, is truly like fish and water.
The completion of 155 sturdy homes not only provided safe shelter for affected families but also strengthened the people’s trust in the Party, the State, and the military. For Division 316, each mission to help civilians is also a lesson of responsibility, discipline, and people-oriented service, helping officers and soldiers mature and better understand the lives of those they protect. Colonel Tien emphasized that every completed house represents a lesson in solidarity, humane values, and perseverance in overcoming hardships.
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Division 316’s soldiers assist Leo Thi Hien’s family in Dua Cat village in restoring their vegetable garden after the floods. |
For the officers and soldiers of Division 316, the 50 days of assisting villagers were not just a mission but also a lasting memory, a valuable experience that will guide their continued growth and dedication. The new, sturdy houses and repaired roads have brought practical improvements to local life, but what endures most deeply is the trust, affection, and unity between the military and the people. The “people’s heart posture” in the northwestern region thus stands stronger than ever.
Translated by Tran Hoai