Red flag on blue sea

The color of the flag signals good news.

Among the ships returning to shore these days, there are the fleets of Mr. Mai Thanh Toan in Doan Ket block and Mr. Nguyen Van Hong in Thanh Cong block (Cua Lo ward) that achieved a yield of more than 14 tons of fish, earning over 400 million VND. As soon as the ships docked, the leaders and the Farmers' Association of Cua Lo ward respectfully presented the national flags to the fishermen, congratulating them on the successful fishing trip.

Bustling Nghi Thuy fishing port every early morning. Photo: QA

The activity of giving national flags to fishermen has been implemented by Cua Lo ward for several years. Mr. Nguyen Tien Loi - an official of the Farmers' Association of Cua Lo ward shared: In the past, whenever Cua Lo fishermen had a high catch, their boats would often raise the national flag high to announce the good news from afar. From the shore, just by seeing the red flag with a yellow star fluttering on the bow of the boat, people knew for sure that the boat had "hit" a fish catch, and joy quickly spread throughout the fishing village. Since then, "raising the flag" has become a habit of seafarers.

The fleet of Mr. Mai Thanh Toan in the Doan Ket block and Mr. Nguyen Van Hong in the Thanh Cong block achieved a yield of over 14 tons of fish in August 2025. Photo: QA

By 2015, the activity of awarding "Emulation Flags" was officially implemented by the Farmers' Association of the old Nghi Thuy Ward (now merged into Cua Lo Ward), and in recent years it has become a regular movement, associated with the Program "Farmers compete in production, good business, unite to help each other get rich and reduce poverty sustainably". Over many years of implementation, more than 100 boats have been awarded emulation flags, of which many fishing boats have been awarded multiple times a year.

Mr. Tran Van Luu in Binh Minh block, one of the fishermen who has been awarded the national flag many times, shared: “Every time the ship docks and is awarded the national flag, I feel my heart filled with pride. Immediately, my fellow crew members and I hang the new flag on the bow of the ship for everyone to see. For me, it is not only the joy of my family, but also the common achievement of the entire fishing village. The flag is like a reminder for us to always have a steady hand at the wheel, unite and persevere at sea.”

Ship holds filled with seafood after sea voyages. Photo: QA

According to statistics, the whole Cua Lo ward currently has about 250 ships and boats, with an average output of 19,000 tons of seafood per year, of which over 120 large-capacity ships regularly go offshore for long periods. On average, each trip, each ship earns 300 - 400 million VND; after deducting expenses, fishermen still make a profit of about 100 million VND, helping people stabilize their lives.

Firm faith

The flags awarded and flown on each voyage are not only sacred symbols of the Fatherland, but also become a great source of encouragement, adding confidence and strength to fishermen in the middle of the ocean. During trips with big waves and strong winds, the image of the red flag with a yellow star shining brightly in the middle of the ocean always reminds the crew to hold the wheel firmly and unite to overcome challenges.

Cua Lo ward leaders present national flags to fishermen who achieve high seafood output — Leaders of Cua Lo ward presented the national flag to fishermen who achieved high seafood output. Photo: QA

Fisherman Phung Ba Thu emotionally shared: “Going to sea is very difficult, sometimes the waves are big, the boat is shaking and it seems like it is about to capsize. At those times, looking up at the bow of the boat and seeing the national flag fluttering, we remind each other to be resilient and overcome the waves together. For me, the national flag not only instills confidence, but also reminds me of my homeland, family and the sacred responsibility to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands. Now that the government has given me a new flag right when the boat docks, I feel even more proud and determined to stay at sea for a long time.”

Talking to reporters, Mr. Cao Minh Tu - Chairman of the People's Committee of Cua Lo Ward affirmed: Each national flag is not only a spiritual reward, but also a message: The Government always accompanies fishermen. Each ship raising the red flag with yellow star is a "living milestone", contributing to affirming the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland. In the coming time, the ward will replicate the model, not only awarding flags to ships with high productivity but also to exemplary groups and individuals who comply with regulations and bravely rescue people at sea."

Ship holds full of seafood after each voyage — Seafood output of Cua Lo fishermen is constantly increasing. Photo: QA

In fact, the event of awarding the "Emulation Flag" is not only meant to encourage, but also an opportunity for the government to get closer and more connected with fishermen. Through these meetings, local authorities can listen to their thoughts, share their difficulties, and then find ways to solve them, in line with the spirit of "respecting the people, being close to the people, understanding the people, learning from the people and being responsible to the people" that the locality always strives for.

It is known that in the coming time, in addition to presenting the national flag, Cua Lo ward will continue to carry out many practical activities such as disseminating laws and policies on fisheries exploitation, organizing health improvement training, free medical examinations, giving life jackets, life buoys, flashlights, raincoats, essential medicines, etc. The gifts, although simple, are safe luggage, giving strength to fishermen on each trip to sea.

Ships carrying the national flag confidently set sail. Photo: QA

On the occasion of Independence Day, when thousands of red flags with yellow stars light up the harbor and flutter on ships, the values of independence, freedom and territorial integrity are further ingrained, becoming the driving force that urges fishermen to stand firm at the forefront.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/do-tham-mau-co-tren-bien-xanh-10305684.html