Proud of the national flag through the Breakfast program with fishermen in Long Hai

On the morning of August 16, in Long Hai commune (HCMC), the HCM City Command organized the program "Eating breakfast with fishermen" combined with propaganda to protect Vietnam's sea and island sovereignty. This is the first time the HCM City Command organized this activity after the 3 localities of HCM City, Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau merged from July 1.

The program was attended by Major General Pham Nhu Quan, Deputy Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City Command, along with representatives of the Military Region 7 Command; leaders of units of the Naval Region 2 Command, the Coast Guard Region 3 Command; leaders of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; leaders of Long Hai commune; representatives of the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, along with many ship owners, captains and fishermen in the area.

As early as 7am, fishermen from the old Phuoc Tinh commune (now Long Hai commune) were present at Phuoc Tinh Border Guard Station to have breakfast with leaders, soldiers of units and local authorities. The bustling, warm atmosphere spread as people gathered around simple breakfast tables and enjoyed fruits and coffee carefully prepared by officers and soldiers of the Ho Chi Minh City Command.

This is not only a breakfast but also an opportunity to propagate the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) to fishermen, joining hands with fishermen nationwide to remove the "Yellow Card" warning from the European Commission (EC) for the Vietnamese fisheries industry. It is also an opportunity for the leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Command to listen to the opinions and suggestions of fishermen.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nho, owner of an offshore fishing boat in Long Hai commune, said that when he came here, he clearly felt the care and sharing of the authorities, which made him more confident every time he went out to sea. "I hope and suggest that people, boat owners, and captains regularly remind their children and siblings to cooperate with the authorities to comply with the provisions of the law, and join hands to remove the EC yellow card," Mr. Nho emphasized.

Sharing the same view, fisherman Nguyen Tan said that the support of the government and functional forces is an important support for fishermen to work with peace of mind, while raising their sense of responsibility in protecting aquatic resources and preserving the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Representatives of ship owners and fishermen also sent and proposed some practical contents such as: Continuing to have support policies for fishermen so that people can confidently stay at sea, contributing to economic development and protecting sovereignty. At the same time, strengthening support activities at sea such as medicine, rescue and salvage equipment are increasingly invested in modernly. Fishermen also expressed their determination to work with the forces to proactively propagate and raise awareness for fishermen, not to violate regulations.

Colonel Tran Manh Chien, Political Commissar of the Naval Region 2 Command, said that all forces are equipped with modern rescue equipment, elite forces and are ready to support fishermen when they unfortunately encounter problems at sea such as injuries, running out of food, water, medicine, fuel, helping them feel secure to fish at sea.

Colonel Nguyen Tran Dong, Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Region 3, requested ship owners, captains and fishermen to strictly comply with legal regulations to properly implement them. At the same time, coordinate with other forces to join hands to remove the EC yellow card.

Deputy Commissar of Ho Chi Minh City Command Pham Nhu Quan said that the breakfast with fishermen model was inherited from the old Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. After merging with Ho Chi Minh City, it was innovated and created with the common goal of wanting fishermen to know how to protect their own health, protect their vehicles, and understand the regulations and stay away from prohibited behaviors when going to sea.

Determining that propaganda must be regular and continuous, the model of "Eating breakfast with fishermen" will be maintained periodically by the Ho Chi Minh City Command in many coastal localities, both as a bridge to strengthen the relationship between the army and the people, and as a direct and vivid propaganda channel. Through that, the image of the soldier is not only associated with the training ground and the task of protecting the Fatherland, but also becomes a spiritual support, accompanying fishermen on every sea trip.

"The fishermen's suggestions and comments will be received, recorded in detail and specifically and reported to the authorities as soon as possible to provide maximum support to the fishermen. I hope that the fishermen and the government will strive to remove the EC yellow card and accompany Ho Chi Minh City in its development" - Major General Pham Nhu Quan told the fishermen.

Also at the program, the Ho Chi Minh City Command and functional forces presented meaningful gifts to representatives of ship owners and fishermen. In particular, representatives of the Lao Dong Newspaper presented national flags, a simple gift but containing great spiritual value, adding confidence and enthusiasm to fishermen when going out to sea, affirming sovereignty over the sacred seas of the Fatherland.

On this occasion, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper also presented a symbolic board of 1,000 national flags to the Ho Chi Minh City Command to serve propaganda activities about the sea and islands and spread patriotism among the fishing community.

After a warm breakfast, Long Hai fishermen also received fresh green vegetables, the fruits of the vegetable garden of the soldiers of Phuoc Tinh Border Guard Station. These simple but meaningful gifts have become a practical source of encouragement, helping people to be more confident in sticking to the sea, both developing the economy and contributing to protecting the sovereignty of the homeland's sea and islands.

Some meaningful images at the program "Breakfast with fishermen":

Source: https://nld.com.vn/am-ap-hinh-anh-bo-doi-an-sang-cung-ngu-dan-tai-xa-long-hai-tp-hcm-19625081612092411.htm