Shield in the middle of the Southeast sea of ​​the Fatherland

"Steel shield" in the middle of the ocean

With more than 305km of coastline, spanning 25 communes and wards in 6 administrative units, Ba Ria - Vung Tau is a locality with a particularly important strategic position in terms of national defense - security and marine economy. Along with the development potential are challenges such as smuggling, drugs, encroachment on territorial waters, illegal fishing... On that front, the Border Guard of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province is the core force. From coastal Border Guard Stations to offshore patrol squadrons, border guards are always on duty at the forefront, ready to face danger.

Officers and soldiers of the Border Guard of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province propagate laws and regulations on fishing to fishermen.

During a trip following the night patrol team of Squadron 2 – the unit assigned to manage the vast sea area – we clearly felt the challenges in each journey. The sea at night was pitch black, the waves roared fiercely, the patrol boat swayed in the vast silver water. Major Phan Thanh Ngo – Squadron Leader, shared: “Each patrol is a battle of wits with criminals. They take advantage of the weather, constantly changing their methods of operation. But no matter how difficult it is, we are determined not to let any violations in our sea area go unpunished.”

That silent but arduous work has become the “breath” of the marine soldiers. Regardless of day or night, they protect every inch of the sea, so that the sacred sky and water of the Fatherland are always peaceful.

Attacking Crime – Maintaining Sovereignty

Faced with the increasing sophistication of crimes, the Border Guard of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province has proactively deployed a series of professional measures, coordinated with functional forces, and organized peak periods to suppress crimes. In 2024 alone, the force handled 308 cases/374 subjects. The seized evidence included 126,589 liters of DO oil, 42 kg of cocaine, nearly 1 kg of synthetic drugs, along with thousands of kilograms of contraband, explosives, weapons, and means of violation.

Border Guards of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province organize patrols and controls on the sea border area

One of the highlights was the criminal prosecution of a fishing boat owner for violating IUU regulations – the first time in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. The act of organizing people and vehicles to illegally cross the border to foreign waters to exploit seafood was strictly handled, sending a strong message: no forbidden zones, no exceptions in the fight to protect sovereignty and remove the “yellow card” for seafood.

Not only offshore, right in the center of Vung Tau City - some areas here used to be "black spots" for drugs - soldiers of Ben Da Border Guard Station have been persistently fighting this particularly dangerous type of crime. Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Trong Hiep - one of the 10 outstanding citizens of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province in 2022 shared about the battles in the heart of the city, where criminals use e-wallets, women and children to hide their actions. Every alley, every small neighborhood can become an ambush place for soldiers, to prevent drugs from entering people's lives. Along with the fight, Ben Da Border Guard Station also promotes mass mobilization work with many practical community activities such as "Cleaning the coast", "Spring Border Guard warms the hearts of the villagers" ... These programs have connected the army and the people, creating a solid position of people's hearts in the work of maintaining security and order in the coastal border area.

Officers and soldiers of the Border Guard of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province visit the relic of the unnumbered wharf - Ben Loc An in Long Dat district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

Colonel Tran Ngoc Tang - Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff of the Border Guard of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province emphasized: "We clearly identify the importance of protecting the sea border at all times. Regardless of day or night, sun or rain, the fighting spirit and initiative of the entire force are the decisive factors. The Border Guard of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province will continue to be steadfast, creative, and determined to maintain a peaceful sea for the people."

There are silent feats, there are nameless sacrifices, but all have contributed to writing a strong mark of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Border Guard in the journey to protect the sea. At the forefront of the waves, the border guards still protect every tide, every grain of sand day and night - so that the Fatherland will forever be peaceful from the sea to the mainland.

Tien Dung - Quoc Toan