Preserve to develop - Lesson 3: Distant island, near life

In the middle of the windy Southwest sea, the three island communes of Hon Nghe, Son Hai, and Tien Hai are like the outposts of the Fatherland. Although dozens of kilometers away from the mainland, the rhythm of life on the islands is not lost - electricity is on, internet coverage is everywhere, tourist boats and fishing boats go together. The once distant islands are now closer, not only in geographical distance but also in the breath of development, in the daily changing rhythm of life of the coastal people.

A corner of Tien Hai island commune. Photo: GIA KHANH

One morning in October, we departed from Ha Tien passenger wharf, To Chau ward, straight to Tien Hai commune, a land that attracts tourists because of the old pirate legend. Instead of spending hours on a wooden boat to the island like a few years ago, we experienced a real high-speed train. Before I could feel the swaying in the middle of the sea, we arrived. The 4G signal was still strong throughout the journey, a clear proof of the new rhythm of life spreading to the remote islands.

Deputy Director of Tien Hai Commune Public Administration Service Center Danh Thi Khen spent a day supporting us in our work on the island. After many years working on the mainland, when implementing the 2-level local government model, she was assigned to the island. “It was both an arrangement from my superiors and my wish. I want to experience working in an island commune and contribute to the local development process,” Ms. Khen expressed.

Mrs. Dinh Thi Thu Trang (54 years old) from Giong Rieng commune has lived in Tien Hai for many years. Currently, her husband is at sea, she relies on the waves of the island to raise 3 rafts of grouper, cobia, and yellow croaker. "My brother went to the island first, and I saw that it was easy to live here, so I followed. I went once and it has been more than 20 years, I have taken root, and my house is stable!", Mrs. Trang shared.

Compared to a few years ago, Tien Hai has changed significantly. "The commune stands out as meeting the advanced new rural standards. Traffic infrastructure, wharves, reservoirs for domestic water, national grid electricity are brought to the island... all creating momentum for socio -economic development," said Mr. Mai Quoc Thang - Secretary of the Tien Hai Commune Party Committee. Over the past 5 years, the commune has welcomed more than 238,000 visitors, 95 service establishments are operating regularly, total trade and tourism revenue reached 750 billion VND. Small homestays have sprung up along the coast, children study in spacious classrooms, the elderly leisurely fish, welcome guests, and sell fresh seafood. Life, though simple, is peaceful and fulfilling.

Not far from Tien Hai, Son Hai commune is changing, choosing a breakthrough direction of developing a sustainable marine economy associated with eco-tourism. The farming area has reached more than 500 hectares, with a stable output of about 2,200 tons/year. People have proactively invested in improving techniques for raising fish in cages, clams, oysters, and even a model combining farming with welcoming tourists to experience. The most prominent model is the "Community group to manage and protect the resources of silk clams", which both preserves livelihoods and connects people with the marine environment.

Although tourism in Son Hai is still small, it is gradually attracting more than 20,000 visitors/year. The coastal road system, lighting and basic infrastructure are invested synchronously. The whole Son Hai commune currently has nearly 300 fishing boats, with an output of more than 13,000 tons/year; over 900 fish cages, with an output of more than 2,300 tons. That number not only speaks of productivity but also reflects the efforts of thousands of fishermen to stay at sea. Each boat arriving at the port is a prosperous season - a testament to the aspiration of Son Hai residents to go offshore.

Further away, Hon Nghe is like a green gem located in the middle of the Rach Gia - Phu Quoc shipping route. Mr. Tran Minh Trung - Vice Chairman of Hon Nghe Commune People's Committee said: "The commune has an important strategic position, being an outpost to protect the Southwest sea. We focus on promoting the strength of the marine economy, especially the fish cage farming profession". Currently, Hon Nghe has 805 cages, with 96 households, the total fish output sold each year is more than 2,100 tons, reaching 118% of the resolution target. Although the consumption market is sometimes difficult, people still persevere in their profession, improve techniques, and maintain stable aquatic resources. In addition, the commune has nearly 100 service and commercial establishments, ensuring a stable life.

The number of tourists to Hon Nghe has gradually increased, now reaching more than 25,000/year. The commune government is completing the procedures to officially recognize the tourist destination, expanding opportunities to welcome international tourists. Notably, the rate of poor households has decreased from 12 households to 2 households, accounting for 0.32%, far exceeding the resolution target.

In conversations with us, leaders of island communes all affirmed that, although far from the mainland, the communes are not separated from the flow of development. Maintaining the administrative boundaries is not only for convenient management but also to maintain the rhythm of life, maintain the community, and preserve the culture of coastal and island residents. Each electricity project, road, school, each train connecting the mainland with the island... has the meaning of connection so that "distant islands" are no longer far away and "the lives of people on the island" are increasingly closer to the rhythm of life on the mainland. When implementing the 2-level local government model, people no longer have to go to the mainland to do administrative procedures, they just need to contact the commune people's committee. Online payment services, 4.0 convenience stores, online public services, digital transformation are spreading in many fields, narrowing geographical distances more than ever.

From the roofs of the houses on the island, one can see the endless blue sea. The red flag with yellow star flutters on the ship, affirming the sovereignty of the Fatherland. The people still cling to the island, the soldiers still stand guard. The sea is salty, the wind is harsh, but the people are warm-hearted. From the small islands, the great belief in a peaceful, prosperous sea is present every day.

(To be continued)

GIA KHANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/giu-nguyen-de-phat-trien-bai-3-dao-xa-doi-gan-a463967.html