National flag decorates the space of a coastal village in Nghe An

With an 82 km long coastline running through 5 districts and towns, Nghe An currently has more than 3,120 fishing boats with more than 12,000 workers directly involved in catching seafood at sea in 270 villages of 34 communes and wards. In the fishing villages, fishermen often plant the national flag on boats, ships, and village roads to show their love for the country, homeland and national pride during holidays.

Every year, on the occasion of April 30 and May 1, fishermen in coastal areas often temporarily stop going to sea and exploiting seafood to rest and organize activities to celebrate the important and sacred holidays of the country. In particular, in fishing villages, fishermen often plant the national flag on ships, boats, and village roads to express their love for their homeland and the spirit of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

Fishermen's fishing boats anchored on Dien Thuy River (Ngoc Bich Commune, Dien Chau District). Photo: Xuan Tien.

In recent days, the area where boats and ships are moored near Dam Tran Bridge of fishermen in Ngoc Bich commune and Dien Thanh town (Dien Chau district) is no longer bustling with boats and ships going back and forth, entering and leaving the dock. On the dock, there are also few fishing logistics services such as braiding ropes, weaving fishing nets, etc. On the contrary, along both banks of the downstream connecting Bung River with Lach Van River, there are hundreds of boats and ships of different sizes firmly anchored, resting on the dock. On each vehicle, there is a national flag, helping the entire stretch of river hundreds of meters long to be "dyed red".

According to many local fishermen, since March 29, fishermen have temporarily stopped going to sea, bringing their boats to anchorage so that their "boat friends" can go ashore to celebrate the April 30 and May 1 holidays with their families and relatives. Before the long holiday, boat owners also clean, wash, wipe, and paint their boats; then they will plant national flags on the bows and masts of their boats to decorate them.

Fisherman Nguyen Van Thao, Tay Loc hamlet, Ngoc Bich commune, Dien Chau district, Nghe An province said that it has become a tradition that on special national holidays such as April 30, May 1, September 2 and the traditional New Year of the nation, local fishermen hang the national flag on their boats to show their love for the country, homeland, the sea and national pride. In addition, fishermen also renovate and paint their boats to make them newer and more beautiful because in the minds of fishermen in the coastal village, each boat is not only a great asset but also a second home.

"Except for the rough seas due to storms, we fishermen spend more time at sea and with boats than in houses built on land," fisherman Nguyen Van Thao shared.

Dien Chau district has nearly 500 fishing boats, mainly concentrated in Ngoc Bich commune and Dien Thanh town. The number of fishing boats is often anchored next to Lach Van fishing port and anchorage areas on Bung river, Dien Thuy river, Dien Kim river. On the occasion of April 30 and May 1 holidays, boats anchored at fishing ports on major rivers are decorated with national flags by fishermen. Along both sides of the piers leading to the boats, fishermen also plant rows of national flags fluttering in the sea breeze.

Fisherman Vu Son Hai, Dong Loc hamlet, Dien Chau district said: Nghe An fishermen's boats and ships simultaneously hang the national flag on the masts and bows of the boats, not only to decorate the vehicles, to show love and national pride, but also to be a sign for "boat friends" to easily recognize each other when moving at sea. Especially, at times when dozens of boats and ships line up to enter Lach Van estuary, it will create a beautiful picture that people passing Lach Van bridge on the coastal route Nghi Son - Cua Lo can see.

The red color of the national flag is decorated all over the roads in coastal localities of Nghe An province during the April 30 holiday.

During the April 30 and May 1 holidays, fishermen not only planted national flags on ships, boats, and rafts at anchorages but also decorated and planted them on roads in 18 hamlets of Bich Ngoc commune. In the hamlets of Yen Thinh, Dong Loc, Ngoc Minh, Yen Quang, Hai Dong, Hai Nam, Quyet Thang, Chien Thang, etc., it is easy to see hundreds of meters of roads covered in the red color of the national flag. Walking on these roads, everyone feels happy, excited, and their love for their homeland and national pride are multiplied.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lien, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ngoc Bich Commune, Dien Chau District, said: For many years, out of love for the homeland's sea and islands, local fishermen have had a movement to hang the national flag on their ships and boats. This activity takes place regularly.

The national flag present on each ship and boat is a familiar, warm symbol, carrying a sacred meaning as a reminder and encouragement for each fisherman on each long journey on the vast ocean. Recognizing the significance of hanging the national flag, over the years, local authorities have always promoted and encouraged fishermen to hang the national flag on their ships and boats. Up to now, 100% of ships and boats in the area have had the national flag planted by fishermen on their vehicles.

In Nghe An province, in recent times, many agencies, units, and sectors have coordinated with local authorities to present tens of thousands of national flags to fishermen in coastal localities. In particular, from 2016 to present, through the movement "I love my Fatherland" launched by the Youth Union of Nghe An Provincial Military Command and the Military Commands of some districts, towns, cities and some units in the province, more than 51,000 national flags have been presented to fishermen in Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, Nghi Loc districts and Vinh city.

The national flags affirm the connection of fishermen with the Fatherland; demonstrate the spirit of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands; and give strength and motivation to thousands of fishermen to confidently go out to sea, stick to the sea, exploit seafood to bring prosperity to their families and homeland.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/doi-song/co-to-quoc-to-diem-khong-gian-lang-bien-tai-nghe-an-i767135/