There was no stage or lecture hall at the weekly market in Hung Loi Commune, Tuyen Quang Province. Instead, soldiers from the provincial Military Command set up a simple information booth, where stacks of books, leaflets and face-to-face conversations became an open classroom, bringing laws and government policies directly to local ethnic minority communities.
The outreach program formed part of Project 57, which aims to strengthen public awareness, promote national unity and help residents identify false or misleading information. Rather than relying on formal presentations, officers explained legal issues in everyday language, patiently answering questions and discussing topics ranging from ethnic and religious policies to online misinformation and community security.
Soldiers from the Tuyen Quang Provincial Military Command provide legal guidance to residents at Hung Loi market.
For Hung Loi, a mountainous commune where villages are scattered across nearly 169 square kilometers, the market offered the perfect meeting place. Residents paused between shopping, picked up leaflets and spoke with soldiers, turning legal education into an informal conversation rooted in daily life.
The event also complemented Project 1371, which promotes legal awareness at the grassroots level through the Vietnam People’s Army. Alongside legal materials, displays on military history and the search for fallen soldiers highlighted the connection between patriotism, social responsibility and the rule of law.
Books, legal materials and information leaflets are displayed at Hung Loi market.
“Project 57 is designed to counter attempts to undermine national unity. To earn people's trust, we must first stay close to them and understand their concerns,” said Lieutenant Colonel Dang Tien Thinh, Deputy Head of the Political Department of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Military Command. “A strong people’s defense posture is built through these everyday conversations and the lasting presence of soldiers in local communities.”
Just days earlier, many of the same soldiers had been helping residents recover from flooding. Their return with books instead of shovels reflected a broader mission: serving the people not only in times of disaster, but also by strengthening trust, understanding and unity.
Translated by DO HUONG
VNQD