"The Eye of God" in Central Vietnam at the foot of Hai Van Pass
Tùng Anh•04/09/2024
(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Son Cha, also known as Hon Chao, is a small, pristine island located at the foot of Hai Van Pass. Here, border guards from Thua Thien Hue province stand watch day and night, ensuring national sovereignty and border security.
Located about 10 nautical miles from the mainland, Son Cha Island, when viewed from afar, resembles an inverted pan, hence its name, Hon Chao (Pan Island). The island covers approximately 1.5 square kilometers but boasts diverse topography and biodiversity. The sea area around Hon Chao is home to numerous coral reefs, seaweed, giant oysters, mussels, clams, and various species of fish and squid. According to historical records, the Hon Chao area was once the border region between Dai Viet and Chiem Thanh. At one point, the island was named Huyen Tran to commemorate the princess's contributions to the expansion of the territory. During the reign of Emperor Quang Trung, upon visiting the island and seeing its lush green surroundings, he renamed it Ngoc Island (Jade Island). During the Nguyen Dynasty, the island was also known as Cu Lao Han. During the French colonial period, the island was called Son Cha, a name that has persisted to this day. Son Cha Island was formed from the seaward extension of the Hai Van mountain range, a branch of the Truong Son range that juts out into the sea, rising 238 meters above sea level. The island occupies a very special position, serving as a strategic outpost for national defense and security in the central coastal region, likened to a "watchful eye" that can observe key locations on land and sea. The island has a beach with fine white sand and clear blue water, which was once developed for tourism . However, due to various factors, the activity of taking tourists to Son Cha Island for sightseeing has been temporarily suspended. These giant, naturally occurring oysters were caught by fishermen diving in the Son Cha area of Lang Co. This is a characteristic and very famous seafood of Lang Co Bay, which is considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world . On the island is the Son Cha Border Guard Station, under the Lang Co Border Guard Post (Thua Thien Hue Provincial Border Guard Command), directly managing and protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands, the security of the national border region, and assisting fishermen in emergency situations. Located at the highest point of Hon Chao is the Son Tra Lighthouse Station, under the Northern Maritime Safety Corporation ( Ministry of Transport ). The facility was built in 2007 to guide ships safely in and out of the sea.
Patrol routes are fraught with hardship and challenges for border guards stationed on Son Cha Island. Staying at sea, they must daily traverse mountains and rocky terrain to protect the island. Although the island is only 1.5 square kilometers, covering the entire area requires waking up at dawn and returning to the station late at night. That's in the summer; during rainy and windy weather, unexpected events can occur, making it impossible to predict the time or the dangers that lurk. A fishing vessel from Da Nang sails past Son Cha Island during its offshore fishing trip. Over the past period, border guards on the island have repeatedly assisted and participated in rescue operations, helping fishermen when their boats unfortunately encountered difficulties. For example, in 2023, a fishing vessel unfortunately struck a rocky outcrop, causing damage, and the fishermen had to swim to the island for help. Most recently, a small boat was sunk by waves near the island; after receiving the information, the Son Cha Border Guard Station promptly assisted the fishermen in salvaging the boat. According to Major Nguyen Tat Dat, of the Son Cha Border Guard Station, the border guards stationed on the island are tasked with protecting maritime sovereignty, border security, and monitoring the situation in the sea area to promptly report to their superiors. During their work, the soldiers face many difficulties regarding the supply of necessities, electricity, water, and especially transportation. In winter, they have to stockpile dried goods such as shrimp, fish, and prawns to meet their daily needs. However, the soldiers on Son Cha Island have strived to overcome these challenges, increasing production to improve the quality of their meals and ensure their health. The soldiers always maintain unity, uphold discipline, and support each other in their work and lives, thereby successfully completing their assigned tasks.
Some fruits are grown by soldiers on Son Cha Island for self-sufficiency. Besides rice, fish sauce, salt, and other spices, the officers and soldiers always have to proactively grow their own vegetables. Due to the scarcity of land and the impact of saltwater and sea winds, tending to gourd vines, vegetable beds, and raising chickens is a great effort on the part of these soldiers.
Lieutenant Colonel Le Ba Hung, Commander of the Lang Co Border Guard Station (Thua Thien Hue Provincial Border Guard), said that the unit is tasked with protecting the entire Son Cha Island area. A task force is stationed on the island itself, on duty 24/7. Every year, the unit develops a plan to protect the airspace and sea area, assigning specific tasks to each task force and individual soldier. Officers and soldiers on Son Cha Island are tasked with patrolling and guarding the island to ensure peace and security, protect national sovereignty over the sea and islands, and participate in rescue operations, assisting the people during the rainy season and storms, and in times of maritime accidents. Over time, the border guard force on Son Cha Island has fostered a close and friendly relationship, strengthening the bond between the military and the people. They are trusted and loved by the people, who readily provide support in any situation, especially in assisting boats entering and leaving the shore, transporting food, supplies, and other necessities.
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