Awakening love for the sea and islands

On the afternoon of March 29, Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai, Political Commissar of the Vietnam Coast Guard Command, chaired a meeting with partners in coordinating the implementation of mass mobilization work and organizing the contest "I love my homeland's sea and islands".

Military-civilian solidarity

The conference reviewed and evaluated the results of coordination between the Vietnam Coast Guard and more than 50 partners, including organizations, individuals and businesses, in implementing mass mobilization work, especially the program "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen".

Speaking at the conference, Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai highly appreciated the participation of the accompanying units in the past time; at the same time, he expressed his hope that sponsors and accompanying units will continue to join hands with the Vietnam Coast Guard to improve the quality of the program "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen" in the coming time.

Over the years, the Vietnam Coast Guard Command has coordinated with local authorities at all levels, along with the participation of many agencies, units, sponsors and partners to organize nearly 400 "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen" programs in 136 districts of 28 provinces and cities. At the same time, hundreds of propaganda sessions have been organized, gifts, national flags have been presented, and medicines have been distributed to fishermen with a total amount of more than 34 billion VND.

Awarding the winners of the contest "I love my homeland's sea and islands" in 2025 - 2026, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province

With the desire to foster love for the country and sovereignty over the sea and islands for the young generation, since 2013, the Vietnam Coast Guard Command has launched the contest "I love my homeland's sea and islands". In 2024, based on the summary and evaluation of the results of 10 years of organization, the Vietnam Coast Guard Command has developed a project to organize the contest "I love my homeland's sea and islands" nationwide for the period 2024 - 2030 and the following years. The project was approved by the Minister of National Defense in Decision No. 3934/QD-BQP dated September 3, 2024 (collectively referred to as Project 3934).

According to Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai, along with the program "Coast Guard accompanies fishermen", the contest "I love the sea and islands of my homeland" has a wide influence, contributing to arousing love for the country and the responsibility to protect the sovereignty of the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland. Up to now, there have been 147 contests held in 35 provinces and cities, attracting more than 300,000 students from 197 secondary schools to directly participate.

"The contest has truly become an activity with profound educational and political significance, a useful and effective playground that has been proven in practice; recognized and highly appreciated by local authorities, people, news agencies and the press; and enthusiastically responded and participated by teachers and students" - Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai emphasized.

Small actions make big things happen

On the same morning, in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, the Coast Guard Region 3 Command organized the second round of the contest "I love my homeland's sea and islands" in 2025 - 2026, for students in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

This is a direct provincial competition for the 100 students with the best results in round 1. In round 1 (taking place from March 19 to 26), the competition was held online at 57 locations with more than 44,000 secondary school students across Ba Ria - Vung Tau province participating.

Leaders of the Vietnam Coast Guard Command express gratitude to the companions in implementing mass mobilization work and the contest "I love my homeland's sea and islands"

100 students competed in round 2 in a direct competition format with 4 parts: Going Out to Sea, Overcoming Waves, Landing and Setting Sovereignty Markers. The questions revolved around knowledge of sea and island geography, history, culture and issues related to sea and island sovereignty. After 4 exciting parts, the organizing committee awarded 1 first prize, 2 second prizes, 3 third prizes and 15 consolation prizes. Student Hua Bao Tran - grade 8 student of Nguyen An Ninh Secondary School (Vung Tau City) - excellently won first prize.

The young student Hua Bao Tran expressed her pride when being recognized: "The contest helps us to be more aware of our responsibility in protecting our homeland's sea and islands. Every small action, every thought, every word of ours hopefully contributes to the great cause of the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. We understand that protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands is not only the duty of the Coast Guard soldiers but also the responsibility of all Vietnamese people."

Although he did not win a prize in this contest, for Ho Duc Phat - a 9th grade student at Luong The Vinh Secondary School (Vung Tau City), it was a valuable experience. "Through the research competitions, I learned more about history, culture, and meaningful stories about protecting the sovereignty of our seas and islands. I feel very proud to know that our seas and islands are not only beautiful but also contain extremely important values" - Phat expressed.

Colonel Le Van Tu, Political Commissar of the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, highly appreciated the efforts of the Coast Guard Region 3 Command in organizing this contest. According to Colonel Le Van Tu, our country's seas and islands have a particularly important position and role in the strategy of socio-economic development, national defense and security. Organizing this contest has become an activity of great significance.

Ms. Hoang Thi Thanh, Principal of Nguyen Gia Thieu Secondary School (Vung Tau City), hopes that through this contest, she will arouse love for the country and responsibility to protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland for students and the young generation.

On the occasion of the award ceremony for students who won prizes in the 2025-2026 "I love the sea and islands of my homeland" contest for secondary school students in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, the Command of Coast Guard Region 3 presented 20 bicycles and 50 Vu A Dinh scholarships to students with difficult circumstances who have excelled in their studies. Each scholarship is worth 1 million VND.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/khoi-day-tinh-yeu-bien-dao-196250329214110317.htm