Hon Doc, an island of Hai Tac (Pirate) Archipelago (Photo: thanhnien.vn) Kien Giang (VNA) – Tien Hai commune of HaTien township, the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, is famous for not only theHai Tac (Pirate) archipelago but also a sovereignty marker which is the prideof local residents.
Tien Hai, about 30km away from the centre of HaTien township, comprises 16 islands of all sizes. According to historicaldocuments, this group of islands bears the name Hai Tac since pirates often chosethis place to launch attacks on ships.
Tien Hai Island also houses a sovereignty markerwith the words “Quan dao Hai Tac” (Pirate Archipelago) engraved. The stele,which faces westwards and marks Vietnam’s sovereignty along the sea border withCambodia, also includes the islands' coordinates and the names of islands inHai Tac Archipelago.
The last words on the stele read that:“Inspection and research military officers visited the archipelago on July 28,1958.”
The sovereignty marker in Tien Hai commune (Photo: vovworld.vn) Chairman of the Tien Hai communal People’sCommittee Tang Hong Phuoc said the marker is a source of pride for islanders, whoprotect the marker as if protecting the Fatherland’s sacred land.
The sovereignty marker and old stories havebecome a draw for tourists to Tien Hai, he said. The commune will work hard totap into this tourism potential.
Tien Hai has gained a facelift in recent yearswith schools, clinics, post offices, roads and many other facilities built.
The commune caught and farmed more than 4,000tonnes of aquatic products worth more than 90 billion VND (3.9 trillion USD) in2016. Meanwhile, it welcomed more than 70,000 visitors and earned about 16billion VND (over 703,800 USD) in tourism revenue.-VNA
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