The Coast Guard Region 3 Command Visits and Extends Lunar New Year Greetings to Forces on Duty in the Truong Sa Waters
(DTO) As the Lunar New Year 2026 draws near, a working delegation from the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, led by Colonel Le Van Tu, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Region, departed aboard vessel KN 466 of Fisheries Surveillance Squadron No. 4 to conduct inspections on combat readiness, the prevention and combat of IUU fishing, while also visiting and offering Lunar New Year greetings to forces performing duties in the designated waters of the Truong Sa Special Zone.
After a five-day voyage covering over 700 nautical miles amid rough seas and complex weather conditions, the delegation boarded Coast Guard vessels, permanent Maritime Militia vessels, and vessels of Fisheries Surveillance Squadron No. 4 to inspect task performance, meet and encourage officers and crew members, and present Lunar New Year gifts.
On Coast Guard vessel CSB 6007, Captain Do Van Dai, the ship’s commanding officer, said that despite unstable weather conditions at sea in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, the unit has strictly maintained combat-readiness duty, carried out patrols, inspections, and monitoring to firmly grasp the security and safety situation within the assigned waters. Officers and soldiers fully understand their responsibilities, uphold discipline, and stand ready to fulfill all tasks before, during, and after the holiday. They are also prepared to support fishers at any time when incidents occur, while visiting and encouraging those operating in offshore fishing grounds during the Lunar New Year.
Captain Vu Cong Tam, commanding officer of vessel KN 474 of Fisheries Surveillance Squadron No. 4, said the ship regularly coordinates with other maritime enforcement forces in patrolling, monitoring, and protecting fishing grounds. Alongside law enforcement and fisheries protection duties, officers and crew members of KN 474 place strong emphasis on communicating with and reminding fishers to comply with regulations on legal fishing, thereby contributing to raising awareness in the protection of marine resources and national sovereignty at sea.
Based on on-site inspections, the delegation noted that officers and crew members maintain stable morale, remain assured in their duties, and are determined to excellently accomplish assigned tasks. The vessels strictly uphold duty rosters, proactively coordinate operations, and follow proper procedures during patrols, inspections, and communication activities, guiding fishers to observe the law while operating at sea.
Speaking at the units, Colonel Le Van Tu praised the sense of responsibility and the efforts of officers, soldiers, and other forces who have overcome harsh weather conditions and extended duty periods far from shore, especially during the approaching Lunar New Year 2026. He stressed that preventing and combating IUU fishing holds particular significance, contributing to the effective implementation of the Party’s and State’s policies, aiming toward the goal of lifting the European Commission’s yellow card, and ensuring the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.
On that basis, the Political Commissar of Coast Guard Region 3 requested all vessels to continue thoroughly grasping and strictly complying with directives and orders from higher command; maintain rigorous combat readiness; strengthen coordination among maritime enforcement forces; firmly combat and strictly handle violations at sea; and further enhance communication efforts to help fishers operate lawfully, safely, and effectively.
During the mission, the working delegation also boarded fishing vessels operating in the waters of the Truong Sa Special Zone to inquire about conditions at sea, disseminate regulations on combating IUU fishing, and guide fishers in complying with legal requirements while working offshore. The delegation presented national flags, distributed legal-awareness leaflets, and offered practical Lunar New Year gifts such as banh chung (sticky rice cake) and essential supplies, helping to encourage fishers to confidently reach out further to sea.
Sharing with the delegation, fisherman La Xoa, captain of fishing vessel BD 96814 TS (Gia Lai Province), said that receiving visits, legal communication, and Lunar New Year gifts from the Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance forces is a tremendous source of encouragement for fishers who spend long periods working at sea. Enforcement forces regularly remind fishers to comply with the law, avoid violating foreign waters, and protect the marine environment, helping them feel secure in their offshore operations. “After many years celebrating the Lunar New Year at sea, this is the first time my crew and I have received banh chung and Lunar New Year gifts amid the open ocean. We are deeply moved and reassured that having the Coast Guard and Fisheries Surveillance by our side will make our fishing activities much safer,” he added.
This working mission, carried out right before the nation’s Lunar New Year, bears profound significance. It demonstrates the strong determination of the Vietnam Coast Guard in managing and firmly safeguarding national sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction at sea. It also serves as a tremendous morale boost for officers, soldiers, and forces stationed in the roughest conditions, strengthening trust, fostering closer military-civilian ties, and reaffirming the continuous and steadfast presence of maritime enforcement forces across Vietnam’s territorial waters.
Alongside sovereignty protection and IUU fishing prevention, the vessels operating in the Truong Sa Special Zone remain a trusted support for fishers venturing offshore, contributing to maintaining security, order, and safety at sea, promoting sustainable marine economic development, and safeguarding the sacred maritime sovereignty of the nation.
By DUC DINH - HA NAM
Translated by ANH DUC
