Islanders work to give facelift to Tho Chau

Hanoi (VNA) – Tho Chau island commune in Phu Quoc city in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has seen strong development and new renovations over the past 30 years thanks to the tireless effort of locals.

With a total area of 13.95 sq.m, Tho Chau is about 100km from Phu Quoc city and 220km from Rach Gia city.  It holds a particularly important strategic position in terms of economy and defence, serving as a defense route to the southwest of the country and a key point of the international maritime route to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian nations

The island commune was officially set up on July 8, 1993, in accordance with Decree No.19-CP signed by the Prime Minister in April of the same year.

Over the last three decades, many people made great contributions to reviving the island commune. They volunteered to bring their families to the island, contributing to developing new social and economic areas on the island.

From a locality without national grid electricity, roads, schools, medical stations, or clean water, the community has witnessed many life-changing stories.

According to Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Tho Chau commune Do Van Dung, the island is home to 549 households with nearly 1,900 people.

Not only working hard to improve their life, islanders also share responsibilities with the public service forces, contributing to forming a "steel shield" on the front sea.

Lieutenant Colonel Danh Hieu, the political commissioner of the Tho Chau Border station, said apart from being ready to support forces in patrol and control activities, many households have also actively provided information related to security and defence, thus helping local authorities handle illegal entry at sea in a timely fashion and build and maintain the island's border defence posture./.