From Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quy Island

This is not a song lyric or a poem, nor is it meant to describe a distance or a journey…; but rather the theme of a youth project initiated and implemented by volunteer students from Ho Chi Minh City on Phu Quy Island, welcoming the moment when the whole country enters a new era of the nation and also bearing a new responsibility: Special Economic Zone.

The flag and mural street project in Phu Quy Special Economic Zone has attracted particular interest from locals and tourists alike.

Tran Dinh Phong, President of the Vietnam Student Association at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education and a member of the Standing Committee of the Youth Volunteer Campaign on Phu Quy Island in the summer of 2025, said: “We are a Youth Volunteer Team participating in a program organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union in coordination with Binh Thuan province for the past three years, aiming to cooperate in tourism development and socio -economic development on Phu Quy Island. This year, the team consists of 40 young volunteers selected from universities, academies, and colleges in Ho Chi Minh City to carry out projects serving the people of Phu Quy.”

Over 30 students, along with a team of nearly 10 doctors and nurses, have been on Phu Quy Island since June 15th, participating in decorating the coastal road with flags and murals; decorating playgrounds at primary and kindergarten schools; installing solar energy systems along some roads; and providing medical examinations and treatment for the local people. The most remarkable project is the approximately 1 km long flag-lined road along the Tam Thanh embankment. More than 100 vibrant red flags with yellow stars flutter against the blue sky, their beauty enhanced by 10 murals. Each mural, measuring 10 meters in length, is painted on the embankment wall and was primarily created by students from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture. These murals depict images of the sea and islands with sovereignty markers, sandy shores, and waves; beautiful rural landscapes with flower fields, sunsets, and radiant sunrises. The words, at first glance, evoke a sense of sacredness and overflowing love: “Phu Quy Island, Phu Quy Special Economic Zone, From Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quy, Continuing the story of Peace…” Morning and evening, locals and tourists stroll along the road beside the seawall, under rows of red flags with yellow stars, making the paintings seem more vibrant and lively, blending seamlessly with the peaceful everyday life on the island…

In addition to the flag-lined and mural-painted coastal streets, the student volunteers also completed projects at Tan Thanh Primary School, Tan Thanh Kindergarten, and three "lighting up rural roads" projects on Phu Quy Island. These projects were carried out by the youth volunteer group over 15 days (from June 15th to 30th) and officially completed to celebrate the establishment of the two-tiered government system and the Phu Quy Special Economic Zone on July 1st.

Although Phong participates in annual volunteer activities, this is his first time visiting Phu Quy Island. He noticed that not only he and his fellow volunteers, but also many tourists really like the island. In particular, the projects undertaken by the youth volunteers were well-received and appreciated by both locals and tourists, making them very happy and proud. Phong added: “This year's Literature exam for the 2007 graduating class is very meaningful with the message 'Every homeland is the sky of the Fatherland.' We came to Phu Quy at a very special time for the entire nation, and Phu Quy carries a new responsibility as a special administrative region. With the aspirations of the younger generation, of those who love history and the culture of our country, we came to Phu Quy to spread and continue writing stories of peace …”

Ms. Do Khanh Hoa, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, emotionally shared: “Looking at Phu Quy from the speedboat, we were very impressed by the rows of flags. Tonight, strolling under the flags, we discovered young people painting, even at 7-8 pm, the Tam Thanh embankment was still bustling with laughter and chatter… Groups of student volunteers in blue shirts were still engrossed in the final strokes of the letters, the sunbeams, or the sunsets… on the murals. And these letters evoked strong emotions in us. The work of these young people makes not only the people of Phu Quy, but also the people of Ho Chi Minh City and domestic and international tourists feel closer, more connected, and proud of this sacred sea and island of our Fatherland.”

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/tu-thanh-pho-ho-chi-minh-den-phu-quy-381540.html