Five islands in Vietnam will be developed into youth islands under a recently-approved project on building national youth islands between now and 2020.

The selected islands are Tran Island in Co To district, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh; Hon Chuoi Island in Tran Van Thoi district, the southernmost province of Ca Mau; Tho Chau Island in Phu Quoc district, the southern province of Kien Giang; Bach Long Vi Island in the northern city of Hai Phong; and Con Co Island in the central province of Quang Tri.

The project will focus on making residential arrangement, building infrastructure, protecting the ecological environment, developing culture, health and education, as well as ensuring defence and security on the islands.

Its aim is to encourage young people and families to act as pioneers in effective exploiting and using the potential of Vietnam ’s sea and islands, and building a sustainable household economy on the islands.

The youth islands will be outstanding ones on socio-economic development and defence-security. Being district- or commune-level administrative units, these islands will be built under the new-style rural model, symbolising the Vietnamese youth as well as their role and strength.-VNA