Once a remote, undeveloped area without roads, power, or schools, after more than 20 years, the defense-economic area managed by Regiment 726 has transformed into a thriving community, a shared home of unity between soldiers and civilians.
According to Colonel Do Van Trang, Political Commissar of the regiment, the unit’s troops have mobilized over 1,000 households to join economic projects and settled 637 families into five residential clusters. Each family received land for housing and farming, along with financial support to build homes. The unit also built over 170km of roads, extended 20km of power lines, and constructed 85 lakes and reservoirs for daily use and production, helping many families improve incomes and living standards.
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Regiment 726’s staff visit and provide free health check-ups and medicines for the elderly and policy beneficiaries. |
Focusing on agricultural development, the regiment has trained locals in modern farming and livestock techniques, promoting key crops such as coffee, macadamia, and pepper, while encouraging households to grow vegetables and food crops for self-sufficiency.
Following the motto “Listen to the people, speak for the people to understand, and act to earn their trust,” officers and young intellectuals of the unit have lived and worked with villagers, speak their language, teach new farming methods, and promote legal awareness. Eight officers are currently serving in local Party committee and authorities, thereby strengthening grassroots leadership capacity.
In support of movements, such as “Military joins hands to build new-style rural areas” and “Whole nation joins hand for the poor - leaving no-one behind,” the regiment annually donates hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong to assist disadvantaged families, disaster-hit people, and orphans. It has also sponsored 32 needy students and organized tutoring classes for highland children, contributing to their improved study.
In his newly-built home, Dieu Nuy from Bu Prang 1A village said that thanks to the soldiers’ help with seedlings, livestock, and land, their lives have changed with no more hunger, and poverty has dropped sharply. Notably, military troops are always present when they need help. These sentimental deeds have tightened close bond between the military and people.
In a conversation, Vice Chairman of Quang Truc Commune People’s Committee Nguyen Trung Thanh affirmed that Regiment 726’s projects have brought real change, helping reduce poverty, boost local economy, and strengthen defense in border areas.
Translated by Mai Huong