In the midst of high seas and strong waves, the image of the Vietnamese national flag constantly fluttering on ships that are reaching out to the sea always evokes profound pride and emotion in every Vietnamese fisherman. For a long time, the national flag has always accompanied fishermen, becoming ‘a landmark’ affirming the homeland’s sacred sovereignty over its sea and islands.

Representatives of the Da Nang Border Guard at the Tien Sa Port Border Station (left) and Thuan Phuoc Ward authorities (right) presenting the national flag to a fisherman. Photo courtesy of Tien Sa Port Border Station.

The flag is flying in the wind, on the bow of the ship

In the last days of November in mild weather, fisherman Tran Ba Tung, 55, from Tho Quang Ward made preparations of the fuel and necessary fishing gear for journeys to the Hoang Sa (Paracel) fishing grounds in the coming days. On the first day of December, Tung said, for more than 35 years with the marine industry, every trip to sea, he and his peers have never forget to bring the country's flag.

Born and raised up in the fishing village of Tho Quang, the image of a ship, sail, and flag always exist in his mind forever. Therefore, when continuing the traditional profession handed down from his father, Tung still holds a deep pride when looking at the national flag.

This male fisherman is the owner of 2 ships with capacity of 820CV and 402CV respectively, fishing for seafood in the Hoang Sa fishing grounds. He said, there have been countless times, thanks to the national flag, he and other Vietnamese fishermen recognised each other and provided timely support at sea.

“During a 20-day offshore fishing trip, on the last day, when preparing to come ashore, my boat suddenly broke down, there was no way to contact the mainland. I and other crew members were confused and didn't know how to handle it. Fortunately, thanks to the presence of the national flag on the bow of the ship, a fishing vessels operating nearby recognized the ‘compatriot’ ship in distress and immediately tow my boat safely back to the shore. Everyone burst into tears of happiness. More importantly, seeing the national flag flying in the wind, I and many other fishermen feel energised and strongly confident to overcome all difficulties at sea. The flag is like the soul of the ship and the ship without the flag is like the house without the roof. Not only does it bear great spiritual significance but the raising of the country's flag also contributes to affirming the Vietnamese sovereignty over its territorial waters and islands”, said Tung.

Like many other ship owners, Mr. Le Van Thien, 47, from Thuan Phuoc Ward, the owner of 4 ships with a length of more than 15m and a capacity of 800-1200CV, fishing in the Hoang Sa fishing grounds, always prepares 4 - 5 national flags for each trip. Fishermen bring with them flags every time they go out to sea as a habit and strong national pride.

“My journey to the sea, in addition to the necessary items, always features the presence of the national flag. Go fishing for more than 30 years, I regard the sea as my second home and the flag as a living part of me. At sea, seeing the national flag constantly flying over the ship, I had an indescribable emotion, which helped me and many other crew members aboard to have more motivation to go to sea. In addition to equipping our boats with the flag and Uncle Ho's photo, I, like many other fishermen, put a high level of awareness on the effective exploitation of seafood resources in the right places, without infringing on foreign waters”, said Thien.

Over the past time, the Da Nang Border Guard High Command has presented thousands of national flags to fishermen. Such a deed is a practical, humane work imbued with national pride, showing a fact that border guards, and the Fatherland as a whole, always stand side by side with them in the country’s territorial waters. At the same time, fishermen will uphold a confident spirit of sticking to the sea, exploiting seafood in permitted waters and arousing patriotism, thereby contributing to preserving the national sovereignty over sea and islands.

Peace of mind while heading out to sea

Apart from presenting the national flag to fishermen, the city’s border guards have provided other kinds of support to help people feel secure to go to sea through thre provisions of fuel and medicine and the installation of cruise monitoring equipment on all fishing boats.

Currently, according to statistics of the Da Nang Border Guard, the total number of still-active boats in the city is 1,227 with a combined total of about 6,820 fishermen.

The local border guards also actively encourage fishermen to strictly abide by the regulations on fishing in the right places, contributing to forming the habit of protecting long-term aquatic resources for the future generations, in addition to joining the protection of the national sovereignty over its sea and islands.

Besides, every year, the border guards brief fishermen on marine communications and legal fishing regulations, especially how to avoid fishing in overlapping disputed areas.

Reporting by HUYNG TUONG VY – Translating by A.THU