Seven years later, he became the unit's first adopted child to pass the university entrance exam, continuing his pursuit of wearing the military uniform.

In early September, Tho Ba Xa (born 2008), residing in Tham Hin Village, Na Ngoi border commune, carefully packed his clothes and belongings into a backpack, preparing to report to Army Officer School No. 1.

For Xa, the backpack marked a journey he might never have taken seven years ago.

"I will strive to study and train hard so that later I can bring my knowledge back to help build my border homeland," Xa said.

Xa is the youngest of four siblings. His father died when he was young, his mother remarried, and his older siblings gradually started their own families. Xa and one of his brothers went to live with their paternal uncle, Tho Ba Phia, in Tham Hin Village.

Phia’s family was classified as near-poor, with their livelihood largely dependent on farming. Supporting the two brothers in continuing their education became a financial burden.

In 2019, Xa was taken in and raised by Nam Can Border Guard Station under the “Border Guard Station Foster Child” program.

From then on, the Hmong boy had another home. Officers and soldiers at the unit not only took care of his meals and daily needs but also closely monitored his studies, helped him develop discipline and encouraged him to overcome difficulties.

Lieutenant Colonel Luong Trong Thuy, commander of Nam Can Border Guard Station, recalled Xa’s early days at the unit: “He was still very young, thin and quite shy. Gradually, he became more open, active and quick on his feet.”

After work, officers and soldiers took turns helping Xa with his studies. Rain or shine, they took him to school and picked him up afterward.

“The officers and soldiers took care of everything from my meals and sleep to my studies. They taught me how to behave and do good things. Everyone at the station was like a second father or mother to me,” Xa said.

With their care and encouragement, Xa was recognized as a high-achieving student throughout all four years of secondary school. He then passed the entrance exam to the Nghe An Provincial Boarding High School for Ethnic Minority Students.

During his three years of high school away from home, Xa remained in close contact with the border guards who had raised him. Officers and soldiers regularly checked on him, encouraged him and provided clothes, shoes and other necessities.

Dreaming of wearing a military uniform

During his years at the border guard station, Xa watched officers and soldiers put on their uniforms every day, stay close to local communities and carry out their duties along the border. He developed a dream of becoming a soldier himself.

At first, he planned to apply to the Border Guard Academy. However, in 2026, the academy did not recruit students using the A01 exam group (mathematics, physics, English), which Xa had studied. He changed course and applied to The Army Officer College No1.

“The officers encouraged me to study hard and stay healthy so I could pursue my dream,” Xa said.

In the 2026 high school graduation examination, Xa scored 25.83 points, enough to gain admission to the school he wanted.

When he learned that he had been admitted to university, Xa was working part-time in Hai Phong. After receiving the result, he immediately took a bus home. As soon as he arrived in his village, Xa went straight to Nam Can Border Guard Station to share the good news with the people who had taken him in when he was a child.

Xa became the first foster child of Nam Can Border Guard Station to gain admission to university.

Lieutenant Colonel Luong Trong Thuy said that, in addition to the “Border Guard Station Foster Child” program, the unit sponsors several disadvantaged students under the “Helping Children Get to School” program.

“These programs not only provide material support but also help improve educational attainment and strengthen the bond between the army and the people. We hope the children will work hard in their studies and training so that they can grow into useful members of society,” Thuy said.

Thanh Hai