Coming to Bach Dich commune, Yen Minh district, Ha Giang province, everyone knows about Major Pham Van Vinh. For many years now, whenever there is a sick person in the commune, or a family has a big event, there is always the presence of the Bach Dich Border Guard Station, including Vinh. Mr. Lung Si San in Bach Dich commune shared: The Border Guards are very kind. When people are sick, no matter how early or late, they just need to call, especially Vinh, to feel secure. Vinh's soldiers examine carefully and give enthusiastic advice, so everyone is very satisfied.

The thing is, Mr. Lung Si San is old and in poor health, and he worries the most when the weather turns cold. At times like that, Mr. San often has high blood pressure, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. He remembers a winter a few years ago, when the weather was cold, it dropped below 10 degrees Celsius, he had chest pain, difficulty breathing, and high blood pressure. His wife was so scared that she quickly called Vinh to tell him about her husband's symptoms. Regardless of the harsh weather and difficult roads, Vinh reported to the unit commander and quickly went to Mr. San's house.

Thanks to the timely intervention of Vinh soldiers, Mr. San's danger was averted. Mr. San's family kept thanking Major Pham Van Vinh. Not only Mr. San's family but also any sick people were taken care of wholeheartedly by Vinh.

At Bach Dich Border Post, Vinh is also called "doctor Vinh" by his colleagues. The reason is because Vinh has a passion for researching traditional medicine. Officers, soldiers of the unit or people with simple, common diseases, Vinh often consults and treats them with traditional medicine. "Talking is doing", Vinh personally grows, picks and dries traditional medicine so that when needed, it is available immediately. Explaining his sense of responsibility and dedication in carrying out his duties, Vinh smiled and said that his wife and children are the important motivations for him to always strive to complete his duties well.

Ms. Pham Thi Thu Huong and her two children chat with her husband via video call. (Photo taken February 2023).

Ms. Pham Thi Thu Huong - Vinh's wife is currently a medical staff at the Yen Lac Town Medical Station, Yen Lac District, Vinh Phuc Province. The story of their coming together is very simple. In 2022, Vinh was sent by his unit to study at the Military Medical Academy at the intermediate level. At that time, Pham Thi Thu Huong studied at the K4 Civilian Faculty of the Academy. They got to know each other through some common activities. In 2004, Vinh completed his course and worked at Nghia Thuan Border Guard Station (Ha Giang Provincial Border Guard), and the two kept in touch. Over time, their feelings for each other gradually increased. In 2006, the two decided to report and ask for permission from their unit and family to get married.

After the wedding, Vinh continued to go to the border to carry out his duties, while Huong asked to return to work in her husband's hometown, Yen Lac district, Vinh Phuc province, to take care of her parents-in-law. Their family welcomed two more members: Pham Thanh Cong and Pham Thanh Dat.

The joy of welcoming the arrival of her two sons also meant that Ms. Huong had to face many difficulties and hardships. Due to the nature of her job, she often had to work nights at the office. The hardest part was when her son Pham Thanh Dat was 4-5 years old. Every time it was time to work, she had to take him to the medical station to work with her, because she did not feel comfortable leaving her older son at home to look after his younger brother.

Her hometown was far away, her husband's parents had passed away at that time, her husband was working far away from home... but when talking to us, Ms. Huong did not talk about her own hardships, but confided: "When I fell in love and married him, I had already determined that I would have to be a solid support so that he could work with peace of mind. Therefore, I always tried to do my best in "domestic and foreign affairs" and taking care of my children." Working in the same medical field, they understood each other's work. Whenever they had the opportunity to be together, they encouraged each other to try to overcome difficulties and devote themselves to their work.

After nearly 20 years of living together, the most difficult time when the children were young has passed. Ms. Huong said: "My happiness is witnessing the growth and maturity of my children. Their obedience, listening, and good study are the gifts I give him." That's why every time her husband calls home to share his wife's hardships, Ms. Huong's usual response is always: "You can rest assured at work, at home, my children and I are all fine." "If husband and wife are in harmony, the East Sea can dry up", thanks to that, after many years apart, they still maintain family happiness. For them, even though they are far apart, they are always full of determination to complete their tasks excellently, building an increasingly happy family.

Article and photos: BUI BINH