One morning in Pa Sang village, Thanh Nua commune, Lau A Dung carefully put his books and notebooks into a backpack in his uncle’s small house. The quiet, gentle H'mong ethnic boy is in Class 6A4 at Thanh Nua Boarding Primary and Secondary School and is determined to do well in class. Few would guess how much hardship he has faced.

From an early age, Lau A Dung and his two siblings grew up without the parental care that many children receive. Their paternal uncle and his family took all three in while they were still young and in need of care and schooling. But his uncle’s family also faced financial hardship. They rely mainly on farming to raise their two children and support their three young relatives.

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Officers of Battalion 2, Regiment 82, give gifts to students facing hardship at Thanh Nua Secondary School in Dien Bien province. 

The monthly financial support from officers and soldiers of Battalion 2, Regiment 82, has made Lau A Dung more determined to study hard and live up to their kindness. He shared he was fond of the troops and hoped to become one himself. He said he would work hard at school and behave well to show his gratitude. His words were moving in their simplicity. The soldiers have helped him through difficult periods, given him role models and inspired him to look forward to a brighter future.

Giang Xuan Truong, a student in Class 7A4 at Thanh Nua Secondary School in Thanh Nua commune, also receives practical support from Battalion 2, Regiment 82. He is the youngest of three. His father fell ill and became unable to work, and his parents later separated. The financial hardship forced his mother to find work far from home and save what she could to keep all three children in school. His eldest sister attends a university, and his other sister is in Grade 11 at a boarding school. Giang Xuan Truong rents a room near his school to make it easier to go to school. The financial strain has made life difficult for the family, and Battalion 2 stepped in to help him continue his studies under better conditions.

Lau A Dung and Giang Xuan Truong are among the students facing hardship who receive support from Battalion 2. Senior Captain Ha Trong Hoang, the battalion’s political officer, said the unit launched its Battalion Sponsorship Program in January 2026 under a memorandum on joint activities with its partner, Thanh Nua commune. The battalion sponsors four ethnic minority students from families facing hardship who attend local schools. Each receives VND 500,000 a month through the end of Grade 12. The battalion will continue the support through graduation for those who go on to further education. It also gives the students practical gifts at the start of the school year and on holidays to encourage them to persevere. The modest gifts reflect the care and sense of responsibility that the officers and soldiers feel for young people in the area where they are stationed.

Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Thanh Nua Commune People’s Council Nguyen Thi Thu Huong said the program has provided practical help and showed the battalion’s commitment to local students facing hardship. She said the support helped the students overcome difficulties and gave practical effect to the partnership between the commune and the battalion. It has also strengthened ties between soldiers and civilians and carried forward the values of Uncle Ho’s soldiers in the Northwestern highlands.

Translated by Minh Anh