If operating alone, each vessel and each fishing family can be easily discouraged by storms or unexpected incidents. But when forming teams built on discipline and camaraderie, the vessels become a unified force capable of facing challenges. From just a few vessels initially, “Tien len” now has nearly 20 high-capacity vessels that maintain regular communication and support one another at sea. Stories of coordinating at sea, rescuing each other during storms, sharing fishing grounds, or bringing injured crew members safely ashore demonstrate how solidarity helps fishermen stand firm in the face of every hardship and challenge of the vast ocean.
Fishermen who remain offshore are also steadfast “living markers”, contributing to affirming and protecting the sacred maritime sovereignty of the nation. Experience from “Tien len” shows that community strength, when organised methodically, creates outstanding effectiveness. With support from local authorities, Border Guards, and the Farmers’ Union, fishermen gain greater confidence and motivation to undertake longer trips, increase their income, and contribute to sustainable marine economic development. This model has proven that when fishermen move forward together, they not only master their fishing grounds but also contribute to maintaining peace and stability.
This represents a harmonious combination of production and sovereignty protection, of economic benefits and community interests. Fishermen support one another with fuel and essential supplies when a vessel encounters difficulties; they share information on fish schools and weather changes to avoid risks; they take turns bringing products ashore for sale to reduce operating costs. As a result, production efficiency increases, and fishermen can remain offshore for longer periods. This also provides important insights for coastal localities nationwide in expanding offshore fishing team models, moving towards building a fleet of fishermen who are both effective producers and capable of self-protection at sea.
In the Strategy for Sustainable Development of Viet Nam’s Marine Economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, the objective of linking economic development with sovereignty protection has been affirmed. To realise this, in addition to specialised law enforcement forces, resilient fishermen — such as members of the “Tien len” team — serve as a core force. They operate in distant fishing grounds, forming a people’s defence posture at sea, contributing alongside competent forces to the protection of national territorial sovereignty.
From this reality, it is clear that authorities at all levels bear responsibility for enabling models like “Tien len” to expand beyond isolated localities. There is a need for policies supporting fishermen in accessing preferential loans to build or upgrade high-capacity vessels; investment in fisheries infrastructure, especially fishing ports and fisheries logistics services; and promoting the application of science and technology in exploitation and product preservation. At the same time, a coordination mechanism should be established between fishermen and fisheries surveillance, border guards, and the navy to enhance monitoring and protection of fishing grounds.
When the State provides strong legal frameworks and policies, localities organise community models effectively, and fishermen participate in unity, teams like “Tien len” will be able to expand along the entire Vietnamese coastline. This is not only a solution for sustainable livelihoods but also an effective approach to building a solid “people’s defence posture” at sea.
Whenever the sound of a vessel’s horn echoes across the sea and sky, the unyielding will of Vietnamese fishermen becomes even clearer: despite storms or danger, they steadfastly remain offshore, contributing to affirming the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland. This is not only a livelihood but also a responsibility, an expression of profound patriotism flowing in the veins of every Vietnamese citizen.
