Individuals and collectives who have significantly contributed to protecting the country’s sea and islands were honoured at a ceremony in Hanoi on August 1.

The event was co-organised by the Minh Triet Centre under the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, the Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, and Gafim Corp.

The awardees include 61 sea and island researchers, fishermen, members of the navy and other sea and island protection forces.

Participants at the ceremony highly valued campaigns such as “Stone contribution to building Truong Sa archipelago” launched by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper and “Fishing net of love for Hoang Sa, Truong Sa fishermen” of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour.

They held that research on sea and islands has greatly helped raise public awareness and attention towards protecting the country’s sovereignty over its sea and islands while contributing to international opinions on the issue.

On the fringes of the ceremony, a seminar provided a panorama of sea and island research with the participation of scientists, scholars and experts.

On this occasion, Gafim Corp presented its initiative on developing a website on Vietnam’s sea and islands.-VNA