Going offshore and climbing forests to bring Tet to officers, soldiers and people of Hon Chuoi island

The working group went up and down the boat many times, climbing the steep slope to bring Tet gifts from the mainland to the officers, soldiers and people on Hon Chuoi Island.

Cán bộ, chiến sĩ và nhân dân đảo Hòn Chuối vui đón xuân sớm

Hon Chuoi Island is located nearly 32km from the mainland, and living and traveling conditions for soldiers and civilians on the island are still difficult. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

On January 18, a working delegation from the Naval Region 5 Command and delegations from southern provinces and cities, businesses and press agencies visited, encouraged and wished a happy new year to officers, soldiers and people on Hon Chuoi Island.

Hon Chuoi is located in Song Doc town, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province, about 32km west of the mainland. The island has an area of about 7km ² , the highest point above sea level is nearly 170m. This is one of the important outpost islands in the southwest of the country, and is also one of the 5 islands in the Youth Island Construction Project (phase 2013-2020) approved by the Prime Minister.

Although not far from the mainland, the living and traveling conditions of the army and people on the island are still difficult. Currently, the island has a self-governing group of nearly 70 households and more than 200 people, the people live mainly by cage fish farming and seafood fishing. In addition, Hon Chuoi island does not have a medical station and a national school system for children on the island to study.

After two boat transfers, the working group was able to transport Tet gifts to the officers, soldiers and people on Hon Chuoi Island. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

On behalf of the forces stationed on the island, the Head of Radar Station 615, Captain Phung Sy Chuong, said that the Station was established on January 19, 1992, under Battalion 551 (now Regiment 551), Command of Naval Region 5. The unit was stationed on a high hill, far from the mainland; trade and travel of officers and soldiers encountered many difficulties.

Over the years, with the attention of superiors, the unit has been gradually investing in barracks and modern facilities, thus improving the lives of officers and soldiers of the Station. Along with the attention and support of the government, the people of the southern provinces have provided the unit with both material and spiritual gifts, thereby ensuring that the living conditions and food of the soldiers are improved.

Soldiers on Hon Chuoi Island increase production. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

All cadres and soldiers will always be united, unanimous, make great efforts, have high determination, promote the emulation movement to win, build a clean and strong Station that is "exemplary, excellent"; a strong and comprehensive Station that is "exemplary, typical", meeting the requirements of the tasks in the new situation, determined not to let the Fatherland be surprised in any situation.

On behalf of the delegation, Mr. Ho Trung Viet, head of the delegation of Ca Mau province, said that over the past time, Ca Mau and the southern provinces and cities in particular and the whole country in general have always accompanied the officers and soldiers of the Naval Region 5 Command. The trip is an opportunity for units, localities, businesses and the press to get closer to the soldiers working on the outpost islands of the Fatherland.

After the gifts arrived, the working group continued to transport them about 300m along the mountainous road to gather and give them to the officers, soldiers and people on the island. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

“Coming to the officers and soldiers stationed on the Southwest islands in general and on Hon Chuoi island in particular, we clearly feel the difficulties and hardships that the soldiers are going through, to firmly hold their guns to protect the integrity of the homeland’s territory and islands,” said Mr. Ho Trung Viet.

The head of the Ca Mau delegation hopes that the cadres and soldiers will continue to uphold the spirit of Uncle Ho's soldiers, continue to make efforts, overcome difficulties, and protect the homeland's sea and islands. The Party Committee, government and local people across the country will always be a solid rear for the cadres and soldiers who are day and night guarding the peace of the Fatherland.

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