The image of boats from the Da Nang Port Border Guard Post quickly passing cargo ships during their regular patrols to maintain political security and safety at the port is a familiar image. Spring sunshine is like silver on the Han River, and far away on the bank is the refection of rows of riverside tall buildings.

Lieutenant Colonel Doan Van Tinh, Commander of the Da Nang Port Border Guard Post (right) welcomes tourists from cruise ship Sliver Spirit at the Tien Sa Port. Photo: B.V

Major Nguyen Linh Anh, Head of Tien Sa Port Border Guard Station said that, despite the festivals to celebrate the recent traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) 2023, 100% of the unit’s officers and men were still on duty to welcome the lunar new year’s first international tourist cruise ship at the Tien Sa Port on January 23. At that time, the Silver Spirit cruise ship, operated by Italy-headquartered Silversea company, brought more than 500 tourists to the central coastal hub of tourism.

To ensure the smooth welcome ceremony, all of the unit’s staff effectively tasked themselves with protecting the ultimate safety of tourists and creating a sense of peace of mind for them during their stays in the city. There is no denying that protecting safety of tourists is very important to leave a good impression of the country and people of Viet Nam on them when they first set foot in Da Nang.

Lieutenant Colonel Doan Van Tinh, Commander of the Da Nang Port Border Guard said: “In 2022, the security situation at the Tien Sa Port and it surrounding areas was quite complicated. His units successfully detected and dealt with hundreds of cases of law violations related to security and order disturbance, illegal trading and possession of narcotics and the incompliance with border security regulations. Therefore, the duties of border guard officials and soldiers, in addition to performing professional work, must also focus on building a new cultural life and participate in the fight against crime.

The unit firmly grasps information on the activities and types of objects infringing upon national security, and the situation at sea and border gates as well, and at the same time effectively fighting against all kinds of crimes, especially smuggling and commercial frauds, in a bid to maintain political security, social order and safety in areas under management.

The unit detected and arrested 3 cases of 4 subjects on illegal possession and trading of narcotics; confiscated exhibits include 17,566 grams of synthetic drugs and a number of related exhibits; carried out procedures and controlled the process of entry, transit and exit by 1,969 ships with a combined total of 40,396 crew members, 114 passengers and 7,654,448 tonnes of cargo.

At the Tien Sa Port, Major Nguyen Linh Anh added: “In contact with many types of subjects, you must raise your vigilance and resolutely pursue to the end when violations occur”. Many international sailors and tourists, when witnessing with their own eyes the brave actions of border guards, were impressed to write in the marine diary good comments about the country and people of Viet Nam.

For decades, the city’s port still bears the beautiful image of green military soldiers guarding the city’s gateways. Major Nguyen Linh Anh confided: “My house is near, but I rarely come back home. On Tet holiday, it is impossible to leave the "battlefield". Being away from home many times, the wife also feels familiar with this fact, so she has no complains." For the people who guard the city’s doors, the seaport is already their home, so they are actively engaged in ensuring security here.

Reporting by NHU THAO - Translating by A.THU