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Naval Region 4’s working delegation presents national flags to fishermen at My Tan fishing port in Khanh Hoa. |
Their practical and heartfelt actions have become a reliable source of reassurance, strengthening fishermen’s confidence as they work at sea and contributing to protecting national sovereignty.
Senior Captain Nguyen Huu Minh, Deputy Political Commissar of Naval Region 4, emphasized that the “Vietnam People’s Navy being a pillar for fishermen at sea” program is not only a political duty but also a mission from the heart, akin to peacetime combat. Every action toward fishermen helps reinforce the “people’s heart posture,” building a solid rear for national security in maritime zones.
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Naval Region 4 Training Center’s representative gives gifts to fishermen’s children. |
Annually, the region’s agencies and units tailor action programs to the characteristics of each locality, coordinating with provinces, such as Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan (now Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong) to conduct awareness campaigns, disseminate maritime laws, distribute gifts, and provide free medical checkups and medicines to fishermen. Working groups also visit fishing ports to meet, encourage, and support local communities.
A notable initiative is “The Navy sponsors children of fishermen.” Since 2023, the region has sponsored 19 students from particularly difficult backgrounds. One such case is Nguyen Thanh Sang, 13, whose father died at sea. He has lived with his elderly grandparents in a charity house in Phu Thuy ward, Lam Dong province. With support from the Naval Region 4 Training Center, Sang has continued his education. At the start of this school year, representatives of the unit visited, providing encouragement and school supplies for him. Sang said, “I will try my best in my studies so as not to disappoint the kindness and affection that the naval officers have shown me.”
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Ship Truong Sa 22 of Brigade 955 under Naval Region 4 tows distressed fishing vessel BD 96950 TS with 13 distressed fishermen at sea. |
Naval Region 4 has well integrated their duties of patrol, inspection, and sovereignty protection with safeguarding lawful fishing activities, as well as the lives and property of fishermen. Units have conducted search and rescue missions, provided emergency medical care, repaired vessels, and supplied fresh water, food, and fuel to fishing boats in distress, ensuring fishermen can safely work at sea for extended periods.
Many fishermen suffering serious illness or accidents have received timely treatment from military medical personnel on islands in the Truong Sa Special Zone. Fisherman Nguyen Trung Tin, from Gia Lai province, working on vessel BD 92592 TS, recounted his rescue and treatment after a severe accident near Da Tay A Island (West Reef East Island). He praised Naval Region 4’s soldiers for their dedicated care for those at sea.
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Naval Region 4 medical personnel conduct health checkups and provide medicines for fishermen. |
Today, boat shelters and fishing villages on islands in Truong Sa Special Zones have become a “shared home” for thousands of vessels each year, providing anchorage, storm shelter, refueling, repairs, fresh water, and medical care. The image of naval officers assisting fishermen amid wind and rain exemplifies the strong bond between the military and the people.
Since 2019, Naval Region 4 has organized over 200 maritime awareness sessions for more than 200,000 residents, distributed thousands of national flags and life jackets, rescued over 300 fishing vessels with more than 1,500 fishermen, repaired 156 vessels, supplied over 140 tons of food and 1,000 cubic meters of fresh water, and provided medical care to over 8,000 fishermen in distress at sea.
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A doctor on Truong Sa Island examines a patient. |
Through these concrete actions, Naval Region 4 continues to build trust, motivate fishermen, support their livelihoods, and contribute to safeguarding the nation’s beloved maritime sovereignty.
Translated by Tran Hoai