Officials, youth union members, and youth distribute tickets for children to participate in the free food stall in Bu Gia Map commune. Photo: Nga Son

This occasion is also an opportunity to concretize the Project "Vietnamese Youth Accompanying Children and Teenagers in Border Areas for the period 2025-2030" of the Central Youth Union, while promoting the pioneering and voluntary role of youth in participating in socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in border areas.

A meaningful journey

It takes nearly four hours to travel from Tran Bien Ward to the center of Bu Gia Map border commune. To well prepare for the journey, officials, youth union members, and youth from the Provincial Youth Union and Tran Bien Ward Youth Union departed as early as 2 a.m. to reach the land of Bu Gia Map.

Luu Quy Dong, Secretary of the School Youth Union, teacher in charge of Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization of the Lac Hong Bilingual Primary-Secondary-High School (Tran Bien ward), said: "This is an extremely meaningful journey, not only helping me understand more about life in the border region but also awakening a deep sense of pride in the responsibility of youth. To reach Bu Gia Map border commune, the delegation and I traveled a considerable distance, yet everyone remained enthusiastic. Upon arrival, all members of the delegation, without being told, joined hands to prepare zero-VND stalls, free food stalls, folk games, and prepare gifts for the children here."

A large number of children participate in the Free Food Stall. Photo: Nga Son

“The most touching moment for me was seeing the children’s joy when receiving simple gifts like cakes, milk, or milk tea, and their excitement while participating in games. That’s when I truly felt the meaning of sharing. After this journey, I will share these experiences with my students so they can better understand the land of Dong Nai as well as the value of compassion,” Dong added.

For children in Bu Gia Map Commune, the Dong Nai Youth Journey for the Fatherland's Borderland also offered memorable experiences. Dieu Binh An, a student of the 5C class at Bu Gia Map Primary School, said: "It had been a long time since I last took part in such a fun program. I not only got to try games such as slow cycling, blindfolded can smashing, ring toss, and throwing balls into a basket, but also experienced the free food stall with various cakes, milk, and especially my favorite student drinks. I hope there will be more programs like this so that we can have fun and gain experiences after school."

In addition to phase 1 of the Dong Nai Youth Journey for the Fatherland's Borderland, which took place in Bu Gia Map commune on April 25, the Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Youth Federation continued to organize phase 2 in Tan Tien commune, featuring many meaningful activities.

Continuing efforts toward border areas

Phan The Cong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, Chairman of the Provincial Youth Federation, noted that Dong Nai has eight border communes adjacent to Cambodia, including Loc Thanh, Loc Tan, Loc Thanh, Tan Tien, Thien Hung, Hung Phuoc, Bu Gia Map, and Dak O. The border area plays a particularly important role for each country, serving as a solid "fence" protecting territorial sovereignty and a strategic space for national defense and security; it is also a place to affirm territorial integrity, maintain political stability and social order…

Recognizing this, since its merger, the Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Youth Federation have mobilized resources to organize numerous programs and activities in border communes. Most recently, the Journey of Dong Nai Youth for the Fatherland's Border (Phase 1) just took place in Bu Gia Map commune, with activities demonstrating not only material but also spiritual support from the Youth Union and Federation for children and youth in the locality.

Phan The Cong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, Chairman of the Provincial Youth Federation, presents scholarships to students. Photo: Nga Son

Within the framework of the journey, the Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Youth Federation awarded 50 scholarships and 1,300 gifts to students; set up free food and zero-cost stalls; donated 400 sets of household lighting equipment to families and border guard posts in the locality; and implemented youth projects such as a “Youth Garden” and “National Flag Road,” with a total value exceeding VND 750 million. Through these resources, the Provincial Youth Union and Federation hope to contribute to the local community by caring for the material and spiritual lives of people, including children and youth in border areas.

Le Hoang Nam, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the People’s Council of Bu Gia Map Commune, said the commune remains one of the most disadvantaged areas in the province. The economic, cultural, and social lives of local residents remain limited in many respects, especially among ethnic minorities. Currently, about 75% of the commune's population is ethnic minorities, and there are still more than 400 poor households and households facing difficult circumstances. Over the past period, the Party, State, and local authorities have implemented many support policies. However, investment resources from the Central, provincial, and local levels are still insufficient to fully resolve these difficulties.

Therefore, Nam said, programs like the Journey of Youth for the Fatherland's Border, when they come to Bu Gia Map commune, are extremely meaningful. The journey not only brings gifts of material value but also contains affection and concern. He expressed hope that in the near future, all levels, sectors, Youth Union and Federation organizations, and philanthropists will continue to pay attention to organizing more support and sharing activities, and to create motivation for the people here to gradually overcome difficulties and stabilize their lives. When border areas receive investment, people's lives are improved, and infrastructure is enhanced, it will create a solid foundation for people to cling to their land and villages, joining hands to firmly protect the sacred border sovereignty of the Fatherland.