With its pristine beauty and historical importance, the Bach Long Vi island district in the northern port city of Hai Phong is not only home to fishermen, youth volunteers, and residents who have volunteered to stay on the island, but also serves as a “landmark” affirming Vietnam’s sacred and inviolable sea and island sovereignty.
Results of hard work, perseverance, and continuous dedication
According to Bui Trung Tien, Secretary of the Bach Long Vi district Party Committee, the island district stands as a symbol of endurance and resilience amid the vast sea. Bach Long Vi, located in the Gulf of Tonkin, is the furthest island from Vietnam’s mainland, about 15 nautical miles from the boundary between Vietnam and China in the Gulf of Tonkin, and 110 km from Hai Phong’s Hon Dau.
The island district of Bach Long Vi was established on December 9, 1992, directly under Hai Phong city. It is located in a forefront position, playing a crucial role in terms of economy, national defence, and security.
After more than three decades of development, the political system of the district is now relatively complete. The district Party Organisation consists of 16 grassroots Party units with 296 members. The island district is home to 326 households with 1,152 people, who primarily engage in fishing and fisheries-related services. Fishing vessels often seek shelter in the island’s harbour during rough seas.
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During his visit to Bach Long Vi island in mid-November 2024, Party General Secretary To Lam praised the efforts of local residents, officers, soldiers, and young volunteers, for building the frontline island of the nation.
The Party leader applauded their efforts to transform Bach Long Vi from a barren, remote island into a green, clean, vibrant and thriving one with complete socio-economic infrastructure, over the past 30 years. He stressed that this is the outcome of tireless efforts, hard work, and relentless dedication.
He highlighted the spirit of enthusiasm, volunteerism, creativity, and passion of the youth on the island, as well as the close-knit relationship between the military and the people, noting that this spirit should be spread widely.
Bach Long Vi has made significant strides in political, social, and infrastructural advancement. Local authorities reported that over 60 key projects have been completed, contributing positively to the region’s economy and national security and defence, and firmly protecting Vietnam’s sea and island sovereignty.
Thanks to great efforts, challenges faced by the island district since its establishment have gradually been addressed, particularly in terms of transportation between the island and the mainland.
In July 2020, the Hoa Phuong Do (Red Phoenix Flower) ship, with a capacity of 200 passengers and 50 tonnes of goods, was put into service with three trips per month, shortening the travel time from Hai Phong to Bach Long Vy to six hours compared to the previous dozens of hours, meeting the travel demand of both civilians and military personnel.
A logistics centre, docking stations, and a passenger terminal for the Hai Phong – Bach Long Vi route (Hoa Dong port) have been put into operation since March 2023. Additionally, clean water supply systems and related infrastructure have been built, meeting the island’s daily demand and partially supporting offshore fishing vessels.
The power supply, provided through a combination of diesel generators, wind, and solar energy, delivers more than 5 MW of power, ensuring that energy needs are met for the next 10-15 years.
According to Tien, the island district recorded stable socio-economic development in 2024, with key indicators and tasks basically meeting the set targets. Bach Long Vi’s total production value reached an estimated 467.19 billion VND, up 8.97% year-on-year. State management in national defence, security, and protection of sea and island sovereignty, has been strengthened.
Reminding people of patriotism
Journalist Nguyen Anh Tu, Chairman of the Hai Phong Journalists’ Association, is always deeply moved whenever he visits Bach Long Vi island and witnesses the Party flag and the national flag fluttering on the central flagpole of the island.
For the Vietnamese people, the image of the national flag fluttering over the national waters is not only a symbol of the nation but also a resolute affirmation of Vietnam’s sacred and inviolable sovereignty over its seas and islands. The flag further embodies the pride and solidarity of the Vietnamese people.
Tien was also deeply impressed and moved when witnessing young volunteers working tirelessly day and night on the island, demonstrating their voluntary role. The contributions made by generations of young volunteers have not only improved the material life on the island but also created a solid wall to protect the country’s sea and island sovereignty.
For Nguyen Bich Hop, head of the Hai Phong Youth Volunteer Corps, every time she sets foot on the island, she feels deeply moved and proud to see the image of boats with the national flag flying proudly amidst the vast ocean. This not only reflects the resilience of fishermen but also sends a powerful message about the love for the nation.
According to Hop, the fishermen, who brave the rough seas every day, fearlessly face hardships and dangers to protect the precious resources of their homeland’s seas and islands. They are the silent sentinels, contributing to the national defence and development in the new era
“The fishermen, who brave the rough seas every day, fearlessly face hardships and dangers to protect the precious resources of their homeland’s seas and islands. They are the silent sentinels, contributing to the national defence and development in the new era.”
Nguyen Bich Hop, head of the Hai Phong Youth Volunteer Corps
Party General Secretary To Lam praised the island’s strategic importance, pointing out that Bach Long Vi serves as a key maritime gateway, controlling vital shipping lanes in the Gulf of Tonkin and providing logistics services for military activities at sea. He also highlighted the island’s rich marine ecosystem and its role as a hub for fisheries.
He urged Hai Phong and Bach Long Vi to focus on developing a concrete strategy for the island, ensuring that it becomes a fortress for defending Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty while also fostering economic growth, particularly in fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism, in accordance with the Politburo’s Resolution 45-NQ/TW on building and developing Hai Phong city by 2030, with a vision to 2045.
Bach Long Vi should focus on implementing the national target programme on new-style rural area building; speeding up digital transformation; and enhancing the protection of marine resources and the environment, while also building and promoting the values of culture and people, he said.
The Party leader also urged the locality to accelerate administrative reforms in a transparent and public manner, tailored to the island district’s conditions, and support its fishermen to maintain fishing activities./.
