Vietnam President asks northern island soldiers to be ready in all circumstances

State President Truong Tan Sang has requested that soldiers on northern Hai Phong City’s Bach Long Vi Island closely work together and be prepared to take action in any circumstances, emphasizing that the East Vietnam Sea situation remains complicated.

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The president made the request on Monday, when he visited the island to review the socio-economic development and defense performance on the island district.

President Sang paid a visit to Regiment 952, the Radar Station, the Bach Long Vi Sea Border Station, and the local Volunteer Youth Group.

He praised local soldiers for overcoming difficulties to protect the island, and asked them to closely coordinate with one other to ensure they can be active in any circumstances, as the situation in the region and the East Vietnam Sea remained complex.

He also requested them to tell local fishermen to fish only in Vietnamese waters as well as to follow international law.

The president added that Bach Long Vi plays an important role in defense, seafood processing, fishing logistics and search and rescue operations in the northern and central coastal regions.

He asked the authorities of the island district to seek effective ways to cope with the shortage of electricity and fresh water.

Bach Long Vi is located in the Gulf of Tonkin, about 133 km (71.8 nautical miles) off the Hai Phong coast. It is home to about 500 residents and hundreds of fishing boats.

The island district was founded in 1993 and is one of the eight biggest fishing grounds of local fishermen in the gulf. It takes about six to eight hours to reach Bach Long Vi by ship.

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