The old house of Huynh Thi Ut of My Binh commune, Duc Hue district, was run down and in an isolated spot 3km from the border patrol road.

Last month her family moved to a solid house with electricity and clean water next to a paved road. Her happiness grew when her two grown children also received new houses close to hers.

Ut recalled, “In the past our life was miserable. Now we feel cared for. There is nothing more joyful than that. We all have a better life and are very happy.”

As soon as Le Van Gieng, another resident of My Binh commune, received a new house, he immediately found a part-time job. He opened a beverage shop where villagers can gather for a chat.

He told VOV, “This will be our first Tet in the new house. We have been facing many difficulties, so getting a new house was exciting. We want to thank the local authorities and border guards for the house and many other things.”

Military Region 7 and relevant agencies in Long An province have collaborated to build 130 houses for poor people living in the border area.

In addition, a project to build new medium- and low-voltage lines and transformer stations to provide electricity for the border area is underway. Since the beginning of 2024, safe water has been connected to each new house along the border.

Local authorities have also built new roads connecting to border patrol roads, making it easier for people to travel, trade, and transport agricultural products.

Families on the Vietnam-Cambodia border have received bank loans for business and farming.

Lieutenant Colonel Bui Ngoc Thiep, Political Commissar of My Thanh Tay Border Guard Station, said, “Border guard stations plan to organize a spring welcoming program for local people. We want them to have a warm Tet.”