Beyond simply recreating the scenery, this bilingual Vietnamese-English publication is also a valuable resource, helping readers access the sea and islands as a historical, cultural, and developmental space, thereby fostering attachment, appreciation, and love for the sea and islands of their homeland.

The book cover.

“Without water, there is no life. Without the blue of the sea, there would be no blue of life”—the book begins with this metaphorical statement about the role of the sea. Through hundreds of photographs—valuable, beautiful, and impressive works of art by photographers from all over the country—and emotionally rich articles, each piece tells the reader a vivid and authentic story about the sea and its people.

These are precious moments capturing the people and life of the coastal region: images of fishermen diligently working day and night at sea; boats laden with shrimp and fish returning at dawn; the simple yet enduring rhythm of life amidst the stormy ocean... Interspersed among these everyday scenes is the expansive, poetic beauty of Vietnam's seas and islands; the smooth white sands, the crystal-clear blue waters, the brilliant sunrises, or the fiery red sunsets over the sea.

The book also vividly reflects activities related to marine conservation, exploitation and development of aquatic and marine resources in conjunction with the requirements of sustainable development; it introduces marine economic projects such as oil and gas, seaports, coastal tourist areas, etc., thereby showing the enormous potential and advantages of the sea and islands in the socio-economic development strategy of the country.

Another highlight of the book is its portrayal of the vibrant maritime and island culture. The cultural activities and traditional festivals of fishermen in coastal and island areas; the coastal cultural spaces; and the historical and cultural relics associated with the sea and islands all contribute to highlighting the depth of Vietnam's maritime culture, which has been formed and nurtured over many generations.

The publication of this book is a deeply meaningful activity, contributing to raising social awareness of the particularly important position and role of the sea and islands; spreading the consciousness of preserving and conserving the sea, islands, and marine life, and developing sustainable aquatic and marine resources; and protecting cultural works and historical relics along the coast. The book aims to awaken love for the sea and islands of the homeland, especially helping the younger generation to better understand, love, and cherish the beloved lands, seas, and islands stretching along the country.

Beyond its political , cultural, and diplomatic significance, the book also holds practical value for the tourism industry. Perhaps the authors wrote about the sea with an open mind and a boundless love for it, so the pages are imbued with emotion, whether describing destinations, maritime culture, seafood, or cuisine. Combined with rich and artistic imagery, it will surely inspire exploration and travel, thereby contributing to promoting the image of Vietnam and its people, and boosting tourism.

More than just a valuable collection of photographs with both documentary and artistic merit, the book also conveys a message about the aspiration to rise and expand from the sea, effectively exploiting the potential and advantages of the sea and islands to build a more prosperous and beautiful Vietnam, "making Vietnam a strong maritime nation, sustainably developed, prosperous, secure, and safe," as defined in the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam's Marine Economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/sach/kham-pha-ve-dep-bat-tan-cua-bien-dao-viet-nam-1041151