When visiting Hon Khoai, remember the hero Phan Ngoc Hien.

On board the 527th ship of the Party Committee and the Command of the 5th Naval Region, visiting Hon Khoai Island, my heart was filled with emotion as I saw the island from afar. Although it was my third visit to the island, I still felt a surge of pride in the hero associated with Hon Khoai Island - Hero, martyr, and teacher Phan Ngoc Hien.

A view of Hon Khoai Island.

The boat, braving the white-capped waves, brought me and the group of reporters ashore, evoking memories from four years ago. Around this time, in 2022, I had the honor of participating in a trip organized by the Party Committee and the Command of the 5th Naval Region to Hon Khoai Island. I vividly remember that afternoon; the waves were huge, soaking the reporters' clothes on the boat, yet everyone was excited. Standing on Hon Khoai Island, looking out at the vast ocean, I felt a deep love for the sea and islands of Vietnam. Today, visiting the island again, I suddenly remembered my colleagues from that trip. I sent a message to the Zalo group I created in 2022, and everyone was deeply moved.

Hon Khoai Island!

The transformation of Hon Khoai today is not only marked by paved roads and car transport to the radar station, but also by key projects under construction: the Ca Mau - Dat Mui expressway, a connecting route from Ca Mau Cape to Hon Khoai Island, and the Hon Khoai dual-use general port. These completed projects will connect the mainland and Hon Khoai Island, making it the "southernmost continent" of the country. Hon Khoai has transformed and will continue to transform even more powerfully. I think, following the "New Clothes of Ca Mau," there will be a song about the "new clothes" of Hon Khoai, because in the future, Hon Khoai will be a jewel in the southernmost part of the Fatherland. It's coming soon…

In the gentle spring breeze over the southernmost tip of our homeland, I recall my first visit to the island in 2014. There were no cars on the road to the summit of Hon Khoai. Everyone walked. My fellow reporters and I, carrying backpacks, trudged up the steep slopes, drenched in sweat. At that time, there were only a few motorbikes at the radar station, driven by soldiers who came down to pick up the older men and women. Watching their steady driving, I thought that the storms outside were nothing compared to the soldiers on the island.

Mr. Ly Rotha, City Party Committee member and Vice Chairman of the People's Council of Can Tho City, presented gifts and extended New Year greetings to units on Hon Khoai Island.

Mentioning Hon Khoai Island, many people know about the Hon Khoai Uprising that took place on December 13, 1940, led by Hero Phan Ngoc Hien. The uprising was swift and ended in victory. However, on December 22, 1940, the French army arrested Hero Phan Ngoc Hien and many others who participated in the uprising. On July 12, 1941, the French army executed Hero Phan Ngoc Hien and his comrades at the Ca Mau Stadium. Hero Phan Ngoc Hien shouted: "Down with French imperialism! Long live independent Indochina! Long live the Indochinese Communist Party!"

The name of Hero Phan Ngoc Hien is associated with the Hon Khoai Uprising and with the heroic homeland of Ca Mau for over 85 years. For me – a son of Can Tho City – Hero Phan Ngoc Hien is also a source of pride for the Western Capital. He was born, raised, and educated in Can Tho before returning to teach and engage in revolutionary activities in Ca Mau. Hero Phan Ngoc Hien also spent many years working in journalism, contributing numerous editorials and reports to the An Ha newspaper. Today, in Ninh Kieu Ward, Can Tho City, there is the tomb of Hero Phan Ngoc Hien's mother. Ninh Kieu Ward also houses Phan Ngoc Hien High School.

Having learned more about the life and revolutionary career of Hero Phan Ngoc Hien, I and the other members of the Can Tho City delegation were deeply moved upon returning to Hon Khoai Island during this trip. It was not only a journey to encourage, visit, and present gifts to the units stationed on the island, but also an expression of gratitude and honor for the people of Can Tho who traveled hundreds of kilometers to visit the place where Hero Phan Ngoc Hien and his comrades bravely fought and showed resourcefulness in the face of the enemy; ready to sacrifice themselves for the cause of national liberation.

Over 85 years ago, Hero Phan Ngoc Hien and his comrades captured the lighthouse on Hon Khoai Island, contributing to the unwavering and indomitable spirit of the people and soldiers of Ca Mau, adding another heroic act to the offensive against the enemy in the spirit of the 1940 Southern Uprising. Over 85 years later, the light from the Hon Khoai lighthouse illuminates the path, guiding ships towards prosperity and well-being. And under the glorious banner of the Party, Hon Khoai has been and continues to shine brightly.

Amidst the vast southwestern sea of ​​our homeland, I vow to always hold my pen firmly, just as soldiers always hold their guns firmly, protecting the sacred sovereignty of our nation's seas and islands!

"I also put fire in the embers."

To the people of this land, the land bears their name.

This land is land of Forty.

Phan Ngoc Hien's name shines brightly in this land."

(Excerpt from the poem "Land of Vien An", by Nguyen Ba).

Text and photos: PHAM TRUNG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/den-hon-khoai-nho-anh-hung-phan-ngoc-hien-a197147.html