Following a recent decision by the Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee, Mr Van Huu Chien, captains of 15 of the city’s offshore fishing boats have been rewarded in recognition of their outstanding performances in protecting traditional fishing grounds in Viet Nam’s waters, and for safeguarding the country’s sovereignty over its sea and islands in 2014.

The rewards aim to encourage and honour the captains for their bravery and ingenuity.  They have shown their strong determination to fish in the Hoang Sa waters, and have struggled using peaceful measures to demand that the Chinese withdraw their HD-981 oil drilling rig and other vessels from Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone.