Warm-hearted affection of coast guard troops
In a 100-square-meter, tiled-roof house, consisting of a living room, two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a restroom, Mrs. Le Thi Hang, the wife of Non-commissioned Second Lieutenant Nguyen Hai Chau, a deck mechanic aboard Coast Guard Ship 4039 of Flotilla 422, Squadron 42, Coast Guard Region 4, shared her story:
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Troops of the Vietnam Coast Guard cooperate in rescuing a fishing boat in distress off the coast of Trieu Phong district, Quang Tri province. |
“In 2022, with the support from both sides of our family and a bank loan, my husband and I managed to buy this piece of land. However, due to financial difficulties and the fact that I am currently unemployed, our family depended solely on my husband’s income and couldn’t afford to build a house, so we had to rent a place to live. Thanks to the VCG’s House of Gratitude program, our family was able to move into this new home, saving on rental costs and easing some of our burdens. I always encourage my husband to fulfill his duties to the best of his ability to repay the kindness and care of his unit and superiors.”
In a bid to renew and improve the quality of its mass mobilization campaigns, the Party Committee and Command of the VCG have led and directed their agencies and units to develop practical initiatives that support local communities, helping ease the difficulties of local people and improving their material and spiritual lives.
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Vietnam Coast Guard conducting law dissemination and education for fishermen |
In particular, throughout 2024, VCG units organized 26 contests themed “I love my homeland’s sea and islands” combined with a range of meaningful activities, including presenting thousands of gifts (daily necessities, medicine, food) to policy beneficiary families and disadvantaged fishermen; awarding over 2,000 scholarships to underprivileged students; supporting 1,198 students through the “Accompanying students during exam season” program; and offering free medical check-ups and medicine to 2,843 locals, with a total value exceeding VND 12.5 billion.
Additionally, the VCG has actively partnered with local Party committees, authorities, armed forces, and people in coastal provinces and cities to effectively carry out rural development programs, including the construction of model new-style rural areas.
For instance, during the 2024 saltwater intrusion season, the VCG provided Mekong Delta residents with 3,800 bottles of purified drinking water (20 liters each), 3,260 cubic meters of freshwater, 65 gift packages, and 100 boxes of instant noodles. Coast Guard troops also assisted in building 1.2 kilometers of new concrete roads, handling 12 tons of waste, and installing four kilometers of new clean water pipelines for local communities.
Clear guidelines and effective coordination
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Troops of the Vietnam Coast Guard take part in the "Volunteer Saturday" program to clean up the marine environment in Phu Quoc city, Kien Giang province. |
The Party Committee and Command of the VCG have consistently directed subordinate units to thoroughly grasp and effectively implement the Central Military Commission’s Resolution No. 49-NQ/QUTW (dated January 26, 2015) and the VCG Party Committee’s Resolution No. 617-NQ/DU (dated April 9, 2015) on “Strengthening and renovating mass mobilization work in the new situation.”
Agencies and units have set clear leadership guidelines and effective measures for organizing mass mobilization activities, with a particular focus on close coordination between Coast Guard forces and local Party committees, governments, organizations, and other armed forces operating in coastal areas and at sea. These joint efforts have ensured strict adherence to principles, clarified roles and responsibilities, and maximized the autonomy and creativity of individual units, thus creating a synergy for successful mass mobilization.
Deputy Head of the Nghe An provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilization Phan Thanh Doai noted, “In recent times, Coast Guard Region 1 has closely coordinated with local authorities in implementing mass mobilization. Responsibilities are clearly assigned to each agency and unit, ensuring synchronized and effective execution. For example, in the ‘Coast Guard Accompanies Fishermen’ program, Region 1 has actively consulted higher-level agencies and collaborated with the provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilization, local authorities, and armed forces to design practical implementation plans tailored to the locality’s specific conditions and timing, earning wide public support and active participation.”
Senior Colonel Bui Dai Hai, Deputy Political Chief of the VCG Command, emphasized, "Following the motto 'Heading to the grassroots,' the Party Committee and Command of the VCG have continued to direct all levels to develop innovative, effective forms of mass mobilization. Special attention is given to fishermen and people in economically disadvantaged coastal communes and districts. Our focus includes raising legal awareness, fostering patriotism and national pride, and reinforcing the determination to defend the sacred sovereignty over Vietnam’s sea and islands. At the same time, the VCG mobilizes social resources to support local socio-economic development and social security and presents gifts such as livelihood assistance to poor households, national flags, scholarships, bicycles to outstanding students, and many other practical contribution."
Translated by Trung Thanh