The peaceful pace of life in Tuzhou

Located in the far southwest of the country, the Tho Chau Special Zone maintains a peaceful way of life amidst the vast ocean. Despite facing many hardships compared to the mainland, the military and people here remain steadfast in their commitment to the island and the sea, developing socio-economic conditions while maintaining national defense and security, and building a more prosperous homeland.

Approximately every 5 days, a passenger ferry travels from Phu Quoc Special Economic Zone to Tho Chau Special Economic Zone and vice versa. When the sea is calm, the journey takes only about 3 hours. On days with rough seas, the ferry service is temporarily suspended, but the allure of Tho Chau has never diminished and continues to attract more and more tourists.

A view of the Tho Chau Special Economic Zone. Photo: LE TRUNG HIEU

The speedboat carried us across the white-capped waves to Tho Chau Island. As soon as the boat docked at Bai Ngu port, a large crowd of locals gathered to welcome relatives, tourists, and transport goods to the island's center. Stepping onto the deck, the image of a remote island I had imagined seemed to vanish. Tho Chau Island boasts not only blue seas and white sands but also lush forests and towering cliffs, creating a pristine beauty rarely found elsewhere. The islanders are friendly and welcoming, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who visits.

Life on the island is peaceful. A short walk from the port leads to the commune center, and a few more kilometers will take you around the entire island. The island has only one market, located in Bai Ngu, where the population is most concentrated. Goods and necessities are all transported from Phu Quoc. While loading goods onto her vehicle, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Linh, a resident of the Tho Chau Special Economic Zone, said that although not as abundant as on the mainland, essential items are always available to meet the needs of the island's inhabitants. "If we need anything, we just call Phu Quoc, and it arrives in a few days. That's why everyone feels secure living on the island," Ms. Phuong said with a smile.

Roads around the island have received investment, making it easier for residents to travel and for students to get to school. Photo: LE TRUNG HIEU

Deputy Chairman of the People's Committee of Tho Chau Special Economic Zone, Tran Quoc Giang, shared that the lives of the people mainly depend on the logistics of fishing, catching and processing seafood, aquaculture, livestock farming, and crop cultivation. Having been involved in grouper farming in Tho Chau for over 20 years, Mr. Tran Van Tan (57 years old) said that grouper currently sells for 220,000 - 250,000 VND/kg. After about 8 months of raising, the fish reach 5-7 kg/each and can be sold. Thanks to the abundant and cheap supply of other fish, the production cost is low and the profit is high. With 13m² of ^cages , if the loss rate is below 50%, he can earn more than 200 million VND per year.

Alongside the joy, grouper farmers remain worried as the mortality rate sometimes reaches 70% due to diseases such as fin rot and eye bursting, the causes of which are still unknown and there is no effective treatment. "We hope that the authorities will soon take measures to support us in reducing losses and helping farmers feel secure in their production," Mr. Tan expressed.

Tho Chau pier. Photo: LE TRUNG HIEU

Over the years, thanks to the attention of the Party and the State, and the efforts of the government and the people, Tho Chau Island has seen a significant improvement in its appearance, and its cultural and spiritual life has been enhanced. Internet and mobile phone coverage is widespread. Schools, health centers, and clean water have been invested in. Students receive a good education, and people receive comprehensive healthcare. Many infrastructure projects, such as roads around the island and ports, have been built, creating favorable conditions for people's travel, trade, and economic development. The poverty rate in the special zone has dropped to only 0.26%, and nearly 97% of households have achieved the title of "Culturally Advanced Family".

The task of protecting the Fatherland and maintaining sovereignty over the sea and islands is always a top priority. The special administrative region's government closely coordinates with the armed forces to closely monitor the situation, maintain combat readiness, ensure security and order, and resolutely combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing…

However, the Tho Chau Special Economic Zone still lacks access to the national power grid and direct ferry services to the mainland, making life difficult for its residents. Currently, electricity on the island is supplied by diesel generators operating on a limited schedule. Many households have to invest in their own generators or solar power systems, but not everyone can afford them. Mr. Mac Van Chi (59 years old), a resident of the Tho Chau Special Economic Zone, said: “Although we still face difficulties compared to the mainland, with the attention of the Party and the State, the people here feel secure living, working, and staying on the island and relying on the sea. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, Tho Chau will soon have access to the national power grid. The healthcare and education sectors will receive increased investment and upgrades; larger high-speed ferries will operate more frequently to the island, making it more convenient for residents and tourists, contributing to local development.”

Arriving in Tho Chau, one can truly appreciate the resilience of the officers, soldiers, and people living in this remote coastal area. It is believed that in the near future, Tho Chau will become a comprehensive maritime economic center connected to Phu Quoc. To achieve this goal, the special zone will focus on developing fisheries logistics, services for offshore fishing grounds, and seafood processing. Simultaneously, it will promote a multi-sectoral maritime economy, ecotourism, and eco-friendly resort tourism. At the same time, resources will be concentrated on developing basic socio-economic infrastructure such as transportation, seaports, 24/7 electricity, clean water, telecommunications, healthcare, and education... ensuring living conditions increasingly comparable to those on the mainland, allowing the people to confidently stay on the island and rely on the sea.

The Tho Chau Special Zone comprises 8 islands, occupying a crucial strategic location as the southwesternmost outpost of the country, with a total natural area of ​​1,394.6 hectares (nearly 14 square kilometers ⁾ . Currently, there are two inhabited areas on the islands: Tho Chu Island and Tu Island. The population is approximately 1,900 people, with 508 households. The community is organized into one hamlet, with 8 self-governing residential groups.

LE TRUNG HIEU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/nhip-song-binh-yen-o-tho-chau-a469211.html