More than 20 years ago, on the banks of the Po Co River, Siu Lan, born in 1980 in Phi village, Se San commune, Oyadav district, Cambodia, was known as a young man "as strong as an elephant." He crossed the Po Co to pledge a lifetime together with Gia Rai woman Ksor Ven of Bi village, Ia O commune, Gia Lai province, Vietnam.

From their first meeting, he had "set his heart on" Ven, impressed by her skill at farming and her sincerity.

Overcoming barriers of geography, culture and nationality, the two people from different countries followed their hearts and built a home together. Their family life has remained warm and happy ever since. Their greatest joy is that their son recently passed the military service selection process and enlisted in March, becoming a soldier of Uncle Ho.

Siu Lan recalled: "Since I was young, I have always had great affection for Vietnamese people. When I met Ven, I immediately took a liking to her because she was very gentle and kind. Things were very difficult at first. Thanks to help from the authorities and Border Guard soldiers, I was able to marry a Vietnamese woman. Even now, the soldiers continue to encourage and guide our family in developing our livelihood."

Another love story has blossomed in the mountainous border region, that of Siu H'Gang, born in 1987 and living in Son village, Ia Nan commune, Gia Lai province, Vietnam, and Kpuih Bo, also born in 1987, from Bo Nhay commune, Oyadav district, Ratanakiri province, Cambodia.

As a young man, Kpuih Bo was regarded by villagers as strong, hardworking and willing to endure hardship. Many young women in his village secretly admired him and wanted to "catch" him as a husband, but none won his heart.

Then, while taking part in a dugout canoe racing festival on the Po Co River, Kpuih Bo met Siu H'Gang. That "fateful" encounter brought together two people from different countries. Her beauty, likened to a brilliant po lang flower, set the heart of the young man from the other side of the Po Co racing.

Right then, Kpuih Bo decided to follow H'Gang home and become her husband. Today, they have two children of Vietnamese and Cambodian heritage and live happily in a spacious home in Ia Nan commune, Gia Lai province.

Kpuih Bo said: "The first time I met H'Gang, I liked her because I could see she was sincere. I am very happy that she truly loved me and that we have worked hard together to build our family home. I thank the Party and the State of Vietnam for their care and support for my family. I have always regarded Vietnam as my second homeland."

Standing alongside people of Cambodian origin

Accompanying people of Cambodian origin as they established villages here have been officials, soldiers and soldiers of Uncle Ho. Nearly 50 years ago, soldiers of Uncle Ho, together with Party committees, local authorities and the Vietnamese people, sheltered and assisted them. That support continues today.

When the sun rises, soldiers head to the fields with local residents to help with agricultural work. When the sun sets, they join village elders and village heads in visiting homes to provide information and encourage people to work together, develop their livelihoods, strictly follow Party guidelines, State laws and local regulations, and jointly build a safe and peaceful border area.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thanh Nhon, Political Commissar of the Ia Pnon Border Guard Station under the Gia Lai provincial Border Guard, said the unit follows the principle of "going to every alley and knocking on every door" to encourage residents to strictly comply with Party and State regulations.

At the same time, the unit coordinates with local authorities, associations and mass organizations to support and guide disadvantaged households, as well as families of Cambodian origin, in developing household livelihoods.

Most Gia Rai households of Cambodian origin now have stable livelihoods. Residents are encouraged and feel secure about putting down roots, while working alongside Border Guard forces to firmly protect the national border.

Currently, about 100 Vietnamese-Cambodian couples are married along Gia Lai province's border, with the largest numbers in Ia O, Ia Nan and Ia Pnon communes.

Alongside the soldiers, Party committees and local authorities consistently pay attention to families involving marriages with foreign nationals. Their efforts not only help families develop their livelihoods and establish stable lives, but also strengthen people-to-people diplomacy, help residents better understand one another's customs and traditions, share difficulties and forge lasting bonds.

Nearly 50 years after peace was restored, Vietnam-Cambodia ties continue to be nurtured through everyday acts of solidarity and families that span the border.

These love stories that have "borne sweet fruit" are vivid testimony to love while further strengthening the friendship between the two countries.

Ngoc Thu