Two vessels of the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) on April 25 departed from the northern port city of Hai Phong for a joint patrol mission with the China Coast Guard (CCG) in the vicinity of the countries’ demarcation line in the Gulf of Tonkin.
As repeatedly affirmed, Vietnam has full legal basis and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) in accordance with international law, as well as its sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its maritime zones established in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Vietnam requests that China respect and comply with the Agreement on the delimitation of the territorial sea, exclusive economic zones and continental shelf between the two countries in the Tonkin Gulf signed in 2000, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), said Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang.
A ceremony took place at the Gac Ma memorial site in Cam Lam district, the central province of Khanh Hoa, on March 14 to commemorate the 64 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy who fell down defending Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa, and mark the 36th anniversary of their battle (March 14, 1988 – 2024).
A requiem was held on March 13 in the central province of Quang Binh in remembrance of the 64 soldiers who laid down their lives defending Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) 36 years ago.
36 years have passed since the heroic battle to safeguard the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago (March 14, 1988-2024), and the courageous sacrifice of 64 Vietnamese navy soldiers in the Gac Ma Battle will forever be remembered in the hearts of Vietnamese people. The event was also a reminder for generations to firmly safeguard the national sovereignty over seas and islands.
Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang on March 9 voiced Vietnam’s deep concern over the recent tension in the East Sea while responding to the media’s question about the China - Philippines tension around Bai Co May (Second Thomas Shoal).
The DK1 platform, which are clusters of Vietnamese economic and technical services built on its southern continental shelf, have been standing firm on the wave front for the past 35 years, thanks to the dedicated efforts of officials and soldiers protecting the country’s national sovereignty over seas and islands.
Tu Chinh reef (internationally known as Vanguard Bank) is part of Vietnam's continental shelf and its sovereignty is established in full in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson Pham Thu Hang on February 29.
Bang Vuong, or the square-fruit Malabar Almond tree, is not only a distinctive plant of the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago but also a symbol of the resilience and vigorous spirit of the Vietnamese Navy soldiers.
Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have a common approach on matters relating to the East Sea, Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn has said in an exclusive interview to Indian news agency ANI on February 14.
As they overcome challenges and difficulties, letters from the mainland are happily received by soldiers stationed in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago. The simple letters carry sentiments of love from family, ordinary people, and especially from students around the country, bringing the warmth of the mainland to Truong Sa.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on January 30 presented the Navy High Command with 1.55 billion VND (63,500 USD) donated by overseas Vietnamese (OV) to a programme on greening Truong Sa (Spratly).
Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue met with President of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. in Hanoi on January 30, describing the latter’s first state visit to Vietnam as a strong impetus to tighten the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Anyone who has visited An Bang, an island in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, will undoubtedly never forget the waves coming from various directions around the island. What makes the waves of An Bang special is the extraordinary experience they offer to those on boats approaching or leaving the island.
The Naval Region 2 High Command has sent a delegation to visit officers and soldiers on duty on DK1 platforms on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year, or Tet, holiday.
Vietnam has full legal basis and ample historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on January 20 in response to reporters’ query on Vietnam's position concerning China's invasion of the Hoang Sa Islands in 1974.
Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratlys), like integral pieces of Vietnamese blood and flesh, form part of the country’s territory, which is an immutable truth cherished by the Vietnamese people for generations. Fifty years have passed since January 19, 1974, when Hoang Sa was illegally occupied by China, this archipelago remains a persistent concern of the Vietnamese people.
Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, attended a ministerial-level meeting in Kampala capital of Uganda on January 17 - 18 to prepare for the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Hanoi on January 12, during which the leaders highly evaluated the strong and dynamic development of the two countries’ cooperation in multiple areas.