From a contest to a journey nurturing love for sea and islands
Initiated by the Viet Nam Coast Guard and first organized in 2013, the contest has attracted millions of students. It provides a practical platform for students to learn about the position and role of Viet Nam’s sea and islands, the nation’s traditions of building and defending the Fatherland, and maritime laws, while giving them opportunities to interact with coast guard officers and soldiers. Students’ writings, paintings, and creative works have also become meaningful sources of encouragement for troops performing their duties at sea.
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General Phan Van Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, and Nguyen Thi Thanh, Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly, present the first prize of the 2025-2026 academic year’s contest to Bach Long Vi team from Hai Phong city. |
In 2024, the Minister of National Defense approved a plan to organize the contest nationwide in the 2024-2030 period and beyond. The 2025-2026 academic year marked the first nationwide implementation under the plan, attracting more than 470,000 participants. The contest was organized at secondary schools in coastal provinces and cities, as well as several key areas nationwide, in combination with social welfare programs and activities focused on the national sea and islands.
Pham Ha Ly, a student of Dong Hai 2 Primary and Secondary School in Hai Phong city and a member of the Bach Long Vi team that won first prize in the 2025-2026 academic year, said the contest provided her with vivid and accessible knowledge about Viet Nam’s sea and islands. Through the contest, she gained a better understanding of the hardships and responsibilities of troops stationed at the frontline and hoped the program would continue giving students opportunities to learn about and nurture their love for the national sea and islands.
Innovating content and formats
Speaking at the award ceremony for the 2025-2026 academic year, Senior Lieutenant General Do Xuan Tung, Vice Chairman of the General Department of Political Affairs of the Viet Nam People’s Army, requested the Viet Nam Coast Guard to continue coordinating closely with relevant agencies, localities, the education and training sector, and press and media agencies to effectively conduct the plan.
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General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Chairman of the General Department of Political Affairs of the Viet Nam People’s Army, views students’ paintings on the theme of sea and islands. |
He emphasized the need to standardize contest content and innovate organizational formats to make them more engaging and suitable for different age groups and localities. More importantly, each contest season should create substantive changes in students’ understanding, feelings, sense of responsibility, and actions, contributing to building the “people’s heart posture” in safeguarding national sovereignty over the sea and islands.
Teachers and contestants suggested making the contest less academically rigid and incorporating more visual and interactive elements, including videos, digital maps, and simulations of maritime spaces. They also proposed expanding activities that require students to give presentations, handle situations, create communication products, and carry out small projects. Such formats would not only help students consolidate their knowledge but also provide opportunities to demonstrate creativity, communication skills, and practical abilities.
As younger generations increasingly engage with digital platforms, the contest could further develop digital resource hubs, short videos, and interactive maps to make accurate information about Viet Nam’s sea and islands more accessible and easier to share.
Beyond schools, greater attention should also be paid to the roles of families, local authorities, and press and media agencies. With their combined efforts, the message of “I Love National Sea and Islands” can extend beyond the contest and become a regular source of education and inspiration, helping foster patriotism, national pride, and a strong sense of responsibility for safeguarding the Fatherland’s sacred sea and islands.
Translated by Minh Anh