THE HANOI TIMES — Before dawn breaks, Lieutenant Colonel Quan Anh Tuan, Commander of Ma Thu Lang Border Post in the rugged northern province of Lai Chau, stands vigil at the unit’s gate. His gaze is fixed on the winding path descending to Len Chu Village, a route he knows all too well.
“The chill of the mountains and the early morning mist are old friends now,” he reflects. “Each step into the village is a step toward bridging the digital divide.”
Border guards empower ethnic minority communities by teaching smartphone skills. Photos: Border Guard Command of Lai Chau Province.
“Our role extends far beyond border security,” Tuan explains. “We’re here to guide residents into the digital age. For technology to take root, our presence must be constant, our patience unyielding, and our commitment unwavering.”
Mornings at Ma Thu Lang begin with the howling wind rising from the valley below. Rain transforms the trail into a slippery hazard, while dry days leave a trail of brown dust with every step. Yet, Tuan and his team press on, equipped with tablets, signal boosters, and guides to online services.
On one such morning, Tuan visits Lieu A Thong, a middle-aged farmer whose life revolves around the rhythms of the seasons. Once a stranger to smartphones, Thong now navigates his device with growing confidence, thanks to the border guards’ guidance.
“A trip to town for paperwork used to take a full day,” Thong recalls with pride. “Now, a few taps on my phone, and it’s done. Rain or shine, I’m connected.”
He carefully opens the public services app, his eyes lighting up with the quiet triumph of mastering something new. But it’s the video calls with his grandchild, studying far away in the lowlands, that bring him the most joy. “In an instant, hundreds of kilometers disappear,” he smiles.
Mobile banking has revolutionized Thong’s trade in livestock and farm goods. “Payments are swift, records clear, and disputes rare,” he notes.
Digital Transformation in Remote Landscapes
Lieutenant Colonel Tuan acknowledges the challenges. “Many residents approach technology with caution, fearing mistakes. We break it down step by step—from powering on a phone to searching for information. Some need multiple lessons, but the moment they succeed, their confidence soars. Closing the digital gap means helping people feel included, not left behind.”
Leaders of Lai Chau’s Border Guard Command distribute smartphones to Si Lo Lau Commune residents.
In Lai Chau’s border villages, routine tasks once demanded arduous treks across steep terrain. Limited infrastructure and unreliable connectivity added to the burden. Colonel Le Cong Thanh, Deputy Political Commissar, notes that three villages remain entirely without mobile coverage, forcing residents to rely on physical travel and paper documents.
Home to 10 ethnic groups, Lai Chau’s border region faces challenges like drug trafficking, illegal crossings, and early marriages. To address these, provincial authorities tasked border guards with leading digital transformation efforts, starting within their own ranks. Digital signatures, online meetings, and electronic document processing streamlined operations, freeing up resources for community outreach.
At the village level, “Green Beret Teachers”—150 trained officers and soldiers—provide hands-on training in smartphone use, digital payments, and online services. Over 1,000 households now use smartphones, and 20,000 residents have received basic digital skills training. Social media is boosting local trade and tourism.
Digital Access Strengthens Security and Legal Awareness
Digital tools have also enhanced community safety. At 13 border posts, anonymous reporting systems using QR codes and online forms allow residents to share information discreetly. By late 2025, these channels had yielded dozens of reports, several leading to significant breakthroughs in drug and illegal transport cases.
Legal access has improved too. QR codes linking to regulations are posted in village centers and schools, enabling residents to consult laws directly. For Lieu A Thong, this clarity is invaluable. “Knowing the rules gives me confidence in my business dealings,” he says.
The next step is a digital legal library, allowing residents to search border management and public order regulations via phone or computer. Paired with online public services, these tools aim to reduce travel and reliance on intermediaries.
Le Cong Thanh meets with the Hanoi Journalists’ Association. Photo: Hoang Nam/The Hanoi Times.
In Lai Chau’s borderlands, digital transformation is not a sudden leap but a series of small, practical changes. These incremental steps save time, reduce risk, and empower residents in their daily decisions. Over time, their impact may rival that of new roads or power lines in shaping frontier life.
For Lieutenant Colonel Tuan, the work is humble yet profound. “A village fluent in technology is safer, more confident, and better connected to authorities,” he says. “Each step forward, no matter how small, is a step toward a brighter future.”
