Truong Sa - A solid support, supporting fishermen in the middle of the ocean

(Chinhphu.vn) - Located in the sacred Truong Sa archipelago of the Fatherland, the two outpost islands of Song Tu Tay and Sinh Ton are not only milestones affirming national sovereignty, but also play an important role in supporting fishermen to go offshore and stick to the sea - an indispensable part of the strategy for sustainable marine economic development.

With synchronous and modern infrastructure investment, especially the presence of advanced fishing logistics and technical logistics service centers, Song Tu Tay and Sinh Ton islands are increasingly affirming their role as solid strategic fulcrums in the East Sea.

Here, fishermen can refuel, get fresh water, repair their boats and receive medical care right in the middle of the ocean, without having to return to the mainland. This not only saves time and money but also contributes to improving the efficiency of fishing and exploitation activities.

Song Tu Tay Island is a sacred landmark firmly affirming the sovereignty of the Fatherland amidst the vast ocean waves, where the red flag with yellow star flies proudly in the vast blue sky and sea - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Gemini West - Solid rear

Song Tu Tay island commune, Truong Sa district ( Khanh Hoa province), about 310 nautical miles from Cam Ranh peninsula, holds a particularly important strategic position. With a natural area of ​​over 12 hectares - the sixth largest in Truong Sa archipelago, the island is like a "steel shield" at the northern gateway, forming an important defensive belt, helping the forces here easily detect early targets from the North and Northeast.

Song Tu Tay is not only of military significance but also an important fishing logistics center. The modern dock on the island can receive hundreds of fishing boats to shelter from storms, repair and refuel. In particular, the infirmary on the island is fully equipped with modern medical equipment, directly managed by the medical team of the 108 Military Central Hospital since 2006.

Song Tu Tay Island Infirmary is a solid and reliable military medical support, accompanying the people and fishermen on remote islands.

A specific situation in mid-May 2025 is a clear demonstration of this role: A 39-year-old fisherman from Binh Thuan suffered from acute decompression sickness while fishing in the Truong Sa sea area - a dangerous condition often encountered by deep-diving fishermen. After consulting with the Naval Medical Institute, doctors and nurses at the island's infirmary quickly treated and closely monitored the patient's condition, contributing to the timely rescue of the victim.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Vu Manh Hai, Commander and Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Tu Tay island commune, from the beginning of 2024 to the end of April 2025, the island's infirmary examined and treated 1,080 people, including 66 emergency cases. In addition, the island also supported 161 fishing boats, repaired 26 boats, distributed 250,000 liters of fresh water, food, vegetables and presented 150 national flags to fishermen.

"This practical support is a spiritual and material support, adding motivation for fishermen to confidently go out to sea, stick to the sea, contribute to protecting sovereignty and developing the marine economy," Lieutenant Colonel Hai affirmed.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Manh Hai, Commander and Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Tu Tay island commune - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Survival - "Safe harbor" for fishermen

Not far from Song Tu Tay to the South is Sinh Ton Island - one of the large islands and also has a particularly important strategic position in the Truong Sa archipelago.

Lieutenant Colonel Pham Sy Thoai, Commander and Chairman of the People's Committee of Sinh Ton Island Commune, said that the core political mission of the island is to always be ready for combat, training, and maintaining the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland. Along with that, the island plays the role of a "safe harbor" for fishermen, actively participating in search and rescue activities at sea.

A corner of the dock at Sinh Ton Island - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

The Logistics and Technical Service Center on the island currently has a pier of more than 5 hectares, capable of receiving and anchoring hundreds of fishing boats. The on-site fuel, fresh water, and ice supply system helps fishermen save significant costs and time. The center is also capable of repairing major damage - something that could only be done on the mainland before, while the price is equivalent to that on the mainland, contributing to improving fishing efficiency.

In 2024 and the first four months of 2025 alone, the island supported 180 fishing boats to avoid storms, repaired 20 boats, distributed 485,000 liters of fresh water, 1,385 kg of vegetables, 246 national flags and 261 life jackets to fishermen - numbers that clearly demonstrate the island's role as a solid rear base.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Pham Sy Thoai, not only logistical support, health care on the island is also focused. During this time, the island examined, treated and provided medicine to 1,149 people, including 759 soldiers and civilians on the island and 390 fishermen. The island also successfully treated 17 cases (including 2 soldiers and 15 fishermen) and treated 34 other cases.

Fishing boats anchored at ports in Truong Sa archipelago - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Promote the role of the vanguard

Song Tu Tay and Sinh Ton are not only military "fortresses" in the middle of the ocean, but also warm "common homes" - where fishermen can rest assured during long sea journeys and protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

In the context of the complicated situation in the East Sea, maintaining and promoting the role of the outpost islands is not only a task for the military and people on the islands, but also a common responsibility of the whole society. Each act of support, each ship going out to sea with support from islands such as Song Tu Tay and Sinh Ton is a strong affirmation of Vietnam's indisputable sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago.

Son Hao

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/truong-sa-diem-tua-vung-chac-tiep-suc-cho-ngu-dan-giua-trung-khoi-102250530095257475.htm