(VOVWORLD) - As the Lunar New Year approaches, spring quietly finds its way to the northwestern mountains, reaching the border areas of Son La. In the border communes of Chieng Son and Long Sap, spring has arrived early this year, brought by sharing, by the warmth of comradeship, and by the enduring bond between the army and the people.
 The delegation presents gifts to the Northwest Mobile Training Center. (Photo: The Hung/VOV5) |
In 2026, the Military Science Academy took the lead, joining hands with 12 partner units, including VOVWORLD of the Voice of Vietnam, to organize the program “Spring at the border 2026”.
Last month, a delegation led by Major General Nguyen Dinh Trung, Political Commissar of the Military Science Academy, paid visits, extended New Year greetings, and presented gifts to the Northwest Mobile Training Center, Chieng Son Border Guard Station, Long Sap International Border Gate Guard Station, as well as local Party committees, authorities, and residents of Chieng Son and Long Sap communes in Son La province.
 Gifts are presented to the Long Sap International Border Gate Border Guard Station, Son La province. (Photo: The Hung/VOV5) |
The delegation also visited and presented gifts to four families facing exceptional hardship in the two border communes.
For officers and soldiers stationed at the nation’s frontiers, the delegation’s visits in the days leading up to Lunar New Year or Tet was a source of encouragement, reflecting the steadfast support from the home front for those on the front lines.
 Children participating in the "Helping Children Go to School - Children Adopted by Border Guard Stations" program in Long Sap commune, Son La province receive New Year gifts (Photo: The Hung/VOV5) |
Major General Nguyen Dinh Trung said: “Each year, under the ‘Spring at the Border’ program, we join hands with local Party committees, authorities, and armed forces to support policy beneficiary families, local residents, soldiers, and children in highland and border areas, helping ease difficulties so that everyone can enjoy Tet.”
The annual “Spring at the Border” embraces spirit of solidarity and social responsibility of officers, lecturers, and partner units toward people and soldiers safeguarding the nation’s borders.
Through voluntary contributions in cash and in kind, this year’s program mobilized more than 53,000 USD to support military units, localities, policy beneficiary families, poor households, and students under the programs “Supporting Children to School” and “Adopted Children of Border Guard Stations.”
 The delegation presents gifts to Mr. Luong Van Thuoi, who is in extremely difficult circumstances, in Long Sap commune, Son La province (Photo: The Hung/VOV5) |
Nearly 800 gift packages were delivered, carrying not only material value but also sharing, trust, and hope. For disadvantaged families, they meant a fuller Tet. For children in remote areas, they were encouragement to continue their education. For border guards, they were a source of motivation to remain steadfast on the front lines, protecting the peace at the border.
After 11 years, the program has strengthened civil–military bonds, spreading Vietnam’s cherished traditions of gratitude and mutual support.
Le Trong Binh, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Chieng Son commune, Son La province, said: “The gifts presented to poor and near-poor households and policy beneficiary families help local people enjoy a warmer, happier Tet, while strengthening their confidence and determination to rise in life, study, work, and join hands in building and developing the nation’s border areas.”
| 800 gift packages are delivered to policy beneficiary families and disadvantaged families in Chieng Son and Long Sap communes, Son La province. (Photo: The Hung/VOV5) |
Hoang Thi Hom, a parent of a child supported by the Long Sap Border Guard Station, said: “The soldiers provide us with food, accommodation, clothes, blankets. Our family is truly grateful for their help.”
Student Ha Duc Quyen of Chieng Son High School added: “I’m very happy to receive gifts and support from the uncles and aunts. Meeting them here really lifts our spirits. These gifts don’t just keep us warm—they warm our hearts too.”
Amid the vast forests of the Northwest, the “Spring at the Border 2026” program vividly embodies deep comradeship and warm civil–military bonds, written through practical, humane, and deeply responsible actions.