The event not only strengthened the bond between soldiers and civilians along the border of Tay Ninh Province but also deepened the friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.
In a small house near the border, the home of Dang Thi My Tien, a 12th grader at Long Huu Dong High School, became unusually lively this Mid-Autumn Festival as guests arrived with smiles and gifts. Officers and soldiers from the border guard force, together with representatives of organizing panel of the “Border Full-Moon Festival 2025” program, came to encourage Tien and her family.
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Children receiving gifts at the event |
Tien has consistently achieved excellent academic results over the years. Her father passed away early due to illness, and her mother remarried, leaving her in the care of her elderly grandparents. In a simple home with few belongings, she has grown up without the daily care of her parents. Despite the hardships, Tien remains steadfast in her studies, always smiling and hopeful about the future.
Her achievements bring pride but also concern about whether she will have the means to pursue higher education. That question weighs not only on her family but also on many others living in border communities with limited resources.
To support such students, Hung Vuong University in Ho Chi Minh City, in partnership with the Military Broadcasting Center, awarded 10 “Nurturing the Future” scholarships, worth VND 2 billion in total to needy students with good academic results. Each recipient will receive support for living expenses from high school through university and assistance in finding jobs after graduation.
Among the recipients was Mai Thi Ngoc Vy, a 10th grader at Khanh Hung High School, who received a scholarship worth VND 200 million for four years of study.
Beyond scholarships, the program also presented 500 Mid-Autumn gift sets, including sweets, school supplies, and toys, and 30 bicycles to children from disadvantaged families in Hoa Hoi commune of Tay Ninh Province and Dom commune of Romeas Haek district, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia.
These gifts were more than material aid, they were acts of care and encouragement, offering hope and motivation for children to keep moving forward. For many families, receiving a scholarship or a gift felt like stepping into a real-life fairy tale, where compassion rekindles young dreams.
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Scholarship handed to needy student with good academic results |
Although life along the border area remains difficult, the program was filled with laughter and joy. The sound of drums, lion and dragon dances, and lively performances by local children created a festive atmosphere as bright and cheerful as any celebration in the city. Children held hands, their eyes sparkling as they followed the colorful lion heads dancing through the crowd.
For the organizers, the “Border Full-Moon Festival 2025” program was more than just an event, it was a reminder of the community’s shared responsibility for the future generation. New bicycles will carry children’s dreams to school; scholarships will help them overcome hardship; and the laughter of the Mid-Autumn night will remain a cherished memory of childhood.
Senior Colonel Nguyen Van Hoan, Deputy Director of the Military Broadcasting Center, said, “This program not only honors Vietnam’s cultural traditions and the spirit of ‘the good leaves protect the worn-out ones’, but also spreads the noble image of Uncle Ho’s soldiers in the hearts of the people. It strengthens public trust, consolidates local political systems, and reinforces a strong people’s defense posture in border areas.”
Translated by Tran Hoai