Provincial delegation pays gift visit to officers, soldiers and people on southwest islands of the nation

As part of their work trip to the Southwest Islands of the nation, on January 5, Binh Duong provincial delegation visited, encouraged and extended New Year greetings to officers, soldiers and people on Hon Doc island in Ha Tien city’s Tien Hai commune in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.

Hon Doc island is the largest island among the 16 islands of Ha Tien archipelago. It holds a strategic position for national defense and security. Since the previous century, it has been identified as one of the key islands in the coastal island belt system in the Southwest Sea region. On Hon Doc island, there is still a sovereignty marker built in the western part of the island in 1958. This marker serves as a historical proof affirming the national sovereignty, maritime and island borders of the homeland. Currently, Hon Doc island is home to nearly 450 households, with over 1,700 residents primarily getting involved in aquaculture, seafood harvesting and trading.

Along with the local Party committee and authorities, the island is currently home to several stationed forces, including Radar Station 625 under the Regiment 551 of the 5th Naval Region Command; Border Guard Post 738 under the Border Guard Force of Kien Giang province; Company 7 of Battalion 519 under the Regiment 893 of the Military Zone 9 and Battalion 3 of Brigade 25 of Military Engineering under the Military Zone

Feeling encouraged by sentiments from the mainland sent to the distant island, Lieutenant Le Van Quy, Deputy Head of the Radar Station 625 of the Regiment 551 under the 5th Naval Region Command shared: "The affection from localities is a great motivation for officers, soldiers and residents on the island to continue striving to fulfill their duties, build the island into a more civilized and beautiful place and deserve its role as a key link in the coastal island system in the Southwest Sea region. This will contribute to safeguarding the national sovereignty over the sea, islands and the southern continental shelf of the homeland.

*Earlier, on January 4, the delegation visited and extended New Year greetings to officers and soldiers of Battalion 553 and 42 soldiers from Binh Duong currently serving in the 5th Naval Region. The delegation also visited and wished a Happy New Year to the units under the 5th Naval Region Command on Phu Quoc island.

Speaking at the visit, Colonel Nguyen Dinh Chuan extended his New Year greetings and wished the officers and soldiers of the 5th Naval Region as well as soldiers from Binh Duong, a peaceful and happy spring. The Party Committee, goverment and people of Binh Duong highly appreciated the sacrifices and contributions of the officers and soldiers. He expressed hope that the officers and soldiers of the units would further uphold the noble traditions of the heroic Vietnam People's Army, overcome all challenges, remain ready to fight to protect the homeland, ensure peace for the people, successfully fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party, State and people.

Reported by Thu Thao-Translated by Kim Tin