As many as 9,000 students from universities and colleges across the country are participating in a host of activities under the “Students with nation’s sea and islands 2013” programme to express their patriotism and resolve to protect the country’s sea and islands.

The programme is jointly organised by the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Students’ Association, the Vietnamese Student Support and Development Centre and Quang Ngai chapter of the Ho Chi Minh City Communist Youth Union from May 3-5.

Around 900 students are taking part in the main activities under the programme in the island district of Ly Son, the central coastal province of Quang Ngai . On May 3, the students gathered on Thoi Loi Mountain , the highest peak in Ly Son, to form the word of “ Vietnam ”.

The island is also hosting a photo exhibition on fishermen’s daily life, economic activities and national sovereignty protection at sea.

Twenty two outstanding scientific research projects by students on sea-based economic development are being introduced at the event.

On this occasion, the students presented life-jackets, binoculars and 900 national flags to fishermen in Ly Son and 150 scholarships, each worth 500,000 VND, to local poor children.

Meanwhile, an exhibition on Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos is being held at the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities from May 2-20, targeting students.

The exhibition showcases hundreds of photos, maps, documents and objects affirming Vietnam ’s sovereignty over sea and islands.

Many students have visited the display and expressed their wish and determination to protect Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos in messages posted on a board at the site.-VNA