Sacred memories intact
Co To is not only a bright spot on the Vietnamese tourism map with its wild and charming beauty, but also an extremely important strategic location in the Northeast Sea. Located at the outpost, guarding vital shipping routes, the outpost island district of Quang Ninh province plays a key role in protecting the sovereignty and security of the islands of the Fatherland. Deeply aware of that potential and important position, the Party Committee, government, army and people of Co To island district always make constant efforts to build and develop the island to become stronger and stronger.
Coming to the outpost island district these days, walking among the murmuring waves, one can feel more clearly the hidden currents of pride in the Lac Hong lineage and the belief that the country is moving forward into a new era - an era of prosperous development and prosperity. For the Party Committee, government, army and people of the island district, May 9, 1961 has entered local history as a brilliant milestone. That was the day the resilient pearl island in the middle of the East Sea was honored to welcome President Ho Chi Minh to visit.
In the memory of many seniors, during that historic visit, Uncle Ho gave warm greetings and deep encouragement to the soldiers and people on the island. He advised the people to work hard in production, raise livestock, promote fishing, nurture and protect precious seafood species, and plant many fruit trees and timber trees. Uncle Ho not only cared about economic development but also paid special attention to the education of the younger generation, advising students to be good and study well to become future masters of the country. Above all, Uncle Ho always placed the highest priority on the lives of the people on the island.
With respect for Uncle Ho, the army and people of Co To asked to build a statue of him on the island so that they could see his image every day. The wishes of the islanders were approved by Uncle Ho. In 1968, the Uncle Ho Monument was built by sculptor Nguyen Van Que and his colleagues. This is also the only place where Uncle Ho allowed the statue to be built while he was still alive. After more than half a century, the statue of Uncle Ho facing the East Sea has always held a special place in the hearts of the children of the outpost island district in particular and the whole country in general. This year is also the 64th anniversary of the day Uncle Ho visited the army and people of Co To island.
The heart of Co To, where sacred memories of Uncle Ho are kept, is the President Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site on the island. On January 18, 2022, the Memorial Site was honored to be recognized by the Prime Minister as a special National Monument. Every year on May 9 and major national holidays of Quang Ninh province, the National Flag Raising Ceremony on the island has become an important event for the Party Committee, government, army and people of the island district.
The closer the National Death Anniversary is, the more solemn the Uncle Ho Memorial Site becomes, like a quiet note amidst the harmony of the sea and sky. People from all over the country come to visit the island to respectfully offer incense sticks, remembering the merits of the Hung Kings, the ancestors and deeply expressing gratitude to the great leader of the nation. In the midst of that quiet, silent space, the invisible link between the past and the present, between pride in one's roots and boundless gratitude towards Uncle Ho, is surging.
And the miraculous transformation
Looking back on the past, Co To has made miraculous changes. From a poor island district with slow economic development and shortages in all aspects, today the island district has risen to become a bright spot in the socio-economic development of Quang Ninh province and the whole country. The national grid has reached every village and commune; abundant fresh water has solved the difficult problem of daily life. The system of passenger ships and transport ships is increasingly developing, shortening the distance between the island and the mainland, creating favorable conditions for trade and tourism...
The economic growth rate of the district has always been maintained at a high level, the people's lives have been constantly improved. The economic structure has shifted in the right direction, strongly towards the tourism service industry. The marine economy has been invested in and developed in a sustainable direction. Social security is ensured, the quality of education and health care is improved, the whole district has no poor households. 100% of schools meet national standards. Political security, social order and safety are maintained, and sovereignty over seas and islands is ensured. Notably, in 2015, Co To district was honored to be recognized by the Government as the first island district in the country to meet new rural standards. By the end of 2024, the average income per person of the district will reach 134,925 thousand VND/year, an increase of 17.3% compared to 2023 (in 2023 it will reach 114,999 thousand VND). Co To is one of five localities with income growth rate higher than that of Quang Ninh province and one of four districts with growth rate higher than the general level of the province.
In 2025, with the determination to bring Co To tourism to a new level, Quang Ninh province and Co To district have drastically implemented specific commitments and actions. The district plans to deploy many new tourism services to enhance the experience for visitors, realizing the goal of becoming a modern national-level eco-tourism and island resort. If in 2023, Co To welcomed 442,287 visitors, by 2024, this number had increased to 513,913. Since the beginning of 2025, the island district has welcomed about 150,000 visitors, a positive signal showing the growing attraction of the destination Co To.
Recently, the leaders of Co To district and the Department of Construction of Quang Ninh also organized a dialogue with ship owners and passenger transport enterprises from the high-class port of Ao Tien (Van Don district) to island communes in Van Don district and Co To district. The dialogue resolved a number of problems that businesses were concerned about, especially the businesses agreed to commit not to increase ship fares in 2025, creating favorable conditions for tourists to come to Co To. Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Co To district Le Ngoc Han affirmed that the locality will continue to build many new, unique and attractive tourism products to attract tourists and create business opportunities for businesses... Representatives of the Department of Construction of Quang Ninh also pledged to support in solving problems related to routes, dredging the channel to Co To wharf, ensuring safe and convenient operation of ships, creating the best conditions for transporting passengers and goods to the island district.
Leaving the memorial area, we let our souls wander along the winding roads around the island. Hong Van beach is like a soft peach silk strip, Van Chay is like an arm embracing the white sand, no longer wild but bustling with the laughter of tourists. Boats full of shrimp and fish return like seagulls gliding on the blue waves. The bright smiles of the people of Co To are like sea flowers blooming under the sunlight, shining with happiness and pride in their homeland.
Uncle Ho's words from long ago still echo here and there, like the murmuring sound of the ocean waves: "The people must unite closely, must enthusiastically compete to increase production and practice thrift, must try harder to make life more prosperous and joyful". The Party Committee, government, army and people of the island district have been turning Uncle Ho's advice during his lifetime into action to continue the journey of progress. Co To is nurturing new aspirations in the era of national development, gradually shining as a precious pearl in the Northeast sea and sky - where Uncle Ho's feelings for the outpost island still blend in every wave and every wind.
Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/toa-sang-vien-ngoc-quy-giua-bien-troi-tien-tieu-vung-dong-bac-post409460.html
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