The “I Love My Homeland’s Seas and Islands” Contest, directed by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence and organised by the Viet Nam Coast Guard, attracted more than 470,000 students from 1,730 lower secondary schools nationwide. The contest helped raise awareness of the position and role of Viet Nam’s seas and islands in national construction and defence, while fostering among the younger generation a sense of love, pride and responsibility for the sacred sovereignty over the country’s seas and islands.
The gala provided an opportunity to honour and reward outstanding student teams and individuals, while highlighting the journey of the six teams that advanced through competitions from the grassroots level to the national final. Special musical performances and reports documenting the teams’ participation also added to the appeal of the programme.
Speaking at the gala, Senior Lieutenant General Do Xuan Tung, Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Viet Nam People’s Army, praised the Viet Nam Coast Guard for its active and proactive efforts in organising the contest in provinces and cities over the years.
Senior Lieutenant General Do Xuan Tung highly appreciated the fact that the contest’s final round and gala were held at a particularly significant time, shortly after the third plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee adopted a resolution on building Viet Nam into a strong maritime nation.
He stressed that the contest is not only an activity to disseminate information and educate students about the country’s seas and islands, but also contributes to equipping the younger generation with the awareness, affection and sense of responsibility needed to meet the requirements of building a strong maritime nation.
Senior Lieutenant General Do Xuan Tung called on central commissions, ministries and sectors, local Party committees and authorities, the education sector, and socio-political organisations to continue coordinating with the Viet Nam Coast Guard in implementing the Ministry of National Defence’s Project 3934 on organising the “I Love My Homeland’s Seas and Islands” Contest nationwide through 2030 and beyond.
He also urged them to create favourable conditions for lower secondary school students to participate, thereby nurturing their love for their homeland and country, civic responsibility, and aspiration to contribute to the Fatherland.
Over the years, participating students have developed a deeper understanding of the position and role of Viet Nam’s seas and islands, as well as a stronger sense of responsibility for safeguarding the country’s maritime sovereignty and protecting the marine and island environment.
Six outstanding teams competed in the national final: “Bach Long Vi” (Hai Phong), “Dao Me” (Thanh Hoa), “Sao Bien” (Quang Ngai), “Bien Xanh” (Lam Dong), “Song Bien” (Ho Chi Minh City), and “Mat Bien” (Ca Mau).
In the final round, 30 contestants competed in four stages including “Setting Sail”, “Riding the Waves”, “Reaching Shore”, and “Marking Sovereignty”, aiming to test their knowledge of Viet Nam’s seas and islands, national traditions, and laws and regulations relating to maritime and island affairs.
At the gala, Lieutenant General Le Dinh Cuong, Commander of the Viet Nam Coast Guard, and Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai, Political Commissar of the Viet Nam Coast Guard Command, presented the third prize to the “Sao Bien” team from Quang Ngai, “Mat Bien” from Ca Mau, and “Dao Me” from Thanh Hoa.
Nguyen Thanh Lam, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilisation, and General Director of Viet Nam Television, together with Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Gau, Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Central Military Commission and Deputy Minister of National Defence, presented the second prize to “Bien Xanh” from Lam Dong and “Song Bien” from Ho Chi Minh City.
The Bach Long Vi team from Hai Phong was honoured with the First Prize, presented by General Phan Van Giang.
