Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s economic hub and a key base for armed and law-enforcement forces in the southern waters, is stepping up efforts to implement the strategic vision of building Vietnam into a strong maritime nation under Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW of the 14th Party Central Committee, helping safeguard national sovereignty and promote sustainable development.
Pooling strategic strength for maritime development
The resolution marks a shift from focusing primarily on the maritime economy to viewing the sea as an economic, strategic and living space, requiring close coordination between development, defence, security, foreign affairs and modern maritime governance.
The southern waters encompass major elements of the country's maritime strength, including busy international shipping routes, key oil and gas fields, offshore renewable energy projects, international submarine cables and extensive traditional fishing grounds.
Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as a major maritime economic centre, home to deep-water international ports and leading domestic and international businesses in the oil and gas, shipping and port areas. It is also a base for naval and law-enforcement forces, alongside one of the country's largest fleet of more than 4,000 fishing vessels.
As a core force responsible for managing more than 300,000 sq.km of waters covering the entire southern continental shelf, Naval Region 2 conducted around 1,500 patrols covering nearly 2 million nautical miles and monitored more than 2.5 million targets from 2021 - 2025. These efforts have contributed to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for maritime economic activities.
For more than 37 years, the 15 DK1 platforms operated by Naval Region 2 have stood as “steel fortresses” on the southern continental shelf, undertaking combat-readiness duties while serving as weather observation stations, supporting maritime safety and assisting fishermen. The DK1 Battalion was recently awarded the title of “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” for the second time.
Colonel Do Hong Duyen, Deputy Commander of the Naval Region 2 Command, said defence and security must serve as a firm foundation for economic development. Maritime forces also help maintain safe shipping routes, support fishermen and combine defence capabilities with maritime economic services, while working with local authorities to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Foundation for sustainable maritime security
Safeguarding sovereignty also depends on building strong public support. Naval, coast guard, border guard and fisheries surveillance forces have increasingly become trusted companions of fishermen by providing emergency assistance, repairing vessels and supplying water and food at sea.
Naval Squadron 129 operates ship shelters and fisheries logistics service centres in Truong Sa, providing safe havens for fishermen during storms and essential services. DK1 platforms likewise provide medical aid and essential supplies to fishermen in distress.
On August 16, Naval Squadron 129’s ship 743 rescued fisherman Truong Van Chung, 46, from An Giang, after he had fallen overboard and drifted for four days near the Thang Long drilling rig. Earlier this month, medical personnel at DK1/10 promptly provided emergency treatment to a fisherman from Ca Mau province suspected of suffering a stroke and guided his vessel back to shore.
Nguyen Dinh Ngoc, a fishing boat owner in Vung Tau ward, said the regular presence of naval, coast guard, fisheries surveillance forces and DK1 platforms has helped fishermen feel safer at sea and respond quickly to emergencies.
Meanwhile, programmes supporting fishermen and their families, including scholarships and livelihood assistance, have helped strengthen military-civilian solidarity and build a strong social foundation for protecting national maritime sovereignty.
Authorities are also taking tougher action against violations, including fishing in foreign waters, manipulation of vessel monitoring systems and destructive fishing practices. Such measures aim to protect marine resources, safeguard law-abiding fishermen, promote sustainable fishing and contribute to the removal of the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood.
Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW has opened a new development mindset based on mastering maritime space through the combined strength of the entire nation. In Ho Chi Minh City, closer coordination among armed forces, law-enforcement agencies and fishermen is helping turn that vision into reality, contributing to the goal of building Vietnam into a strong maritime nation in the new era./.
