The Vietnam Coast Guard has well performed in patrols, law enforcement, crime combat, search and rescue operations, defence diplomacy, and the communications work. (Photo: VNA) The unit organised a ceremony in Hanoi on August 26 toreceive the order and celebrate the 25th traditional day of the VietnamCoast Guard (VCG) (August 28, 1998 - 2023).
Addressing the function, Senior Lieutenant GeneralNguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army andDeputy Minister of National Defence, lauded the VCG's efforts and achievements over the past 25 years, saying the force has well performed in patrols, lawenforcement, crime combat, search and rescue operations, defence diplomacy, andthe communications work.
Apart from defending national sovereignty, the VCG hascoordinated with other competent forces in handling defence and securityincidents emerging at sea, contributing to consolidating national defence andsecurity, he said.
The officer asked the unit to better work as an advisorto the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry ofNational Defence in maritime policies and guidelines, make comprehensivereforms, and improve personnel training.
According to Political Commissar of the VCG LieutenantGeneral Bui Quoc Oai, the VCG is now able not only to complete the tasks ofprotecting national sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and safeguardingsecurity, order and safety at sea, but also to patrol and control theexclusive economic zone and the continental shelf and cooperate in search and rescue operationsin the waters beyond 200 nautical miles in a timely and effective manner.
The force has prevented thousands of foreign boats frominfringing upon Vietnam’s territorial waters, seized and handled hundreds of cases of smugglingand trade fraud, coordinated in busting many drug rings, and saved hundreds offishermen who were in distress at sea.
The VCG has set up bilateral and multilateralrelations, and hotlines with law enforcement forces of countries in and outsidethe region, significantly contributing to Vietnam’s defence diplomacy and internationalintegration./.
VNA
