Special temple on Tho Chu island

Tho Chu is the largest island of the eight islands in the Tho Chu archipelago, located in Tho Chu commune, Phu Quoc, Kien Giang province. With favorable natural conditions, the islanders live mainly on fishing, aquaculture and tourism services. Photo: Thanh Cuong

On April 30, 1975, the whole country was rejoicing in the joy of peace, but a remote island in the southwest of the country could not fully rejoice in the day of national victory. 27 days later, Tho Chu Island in Phu Quoc, Kien Giang Province was officially liberated. Tho Chu is considered the latest place to be liberated in the whole country. Photo: Thanh Cuong

One day in early May 1975, when Vietnam had just entered its first day of peaceful reunification, Khmer Rouge troop ships stormed the island and occupied Tho Chu. The Central Military Commission of the Ministry of National Defense instructed the Navy and Military Region 9 to mobilize forces to attack and liberate Tho Chu archipelago. Photo: Thanh Cuong

To commemorate the merits of President Ho Chi Minh, the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and more than 500 innocent people who were killed by the Khmer Rouge reactionaries, in 2011, Tho Chau Temple was built on Tho Chu Island. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The temple is divided into three rooms. The main room worships President Ho Chi Minh, the left room worships the ancestral tablets of heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives to liberate Tho Chu Island, and the right room worships the ancestral tablets of more than 500 Tho Chu people who were murdered by the Khmer Rouge in May 1975. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Today, the temple has become a place for activities and education about revolutionary traditions, patriotism, and love of homeland for the younger generation. Every year, thousands of tourists come to visit and burn incense to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and the victims killed by the Khmer Rouge reactionary army. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In 1992, Kien Giang province brought people back to Tho Chu island to live. When reclaiming and settling on the island, households were provided with food and provisions to live. At that time, aquaculture and seafood exploitation were not yet developed. The army helped people build huts, houses, and boats to start exploiting seafood at sea... In particular, when people got sick, they would be examined and given free medicine by officers of the combined military-civilian medical station stationed on the island. In more serious cases, there would be ships from the Navy and Border Guard to take them to the mainland for treatment. Photo: Thanh Cuong

From a few dozen households at first, the population on Tho Chu Island has now grown to 550 households, with more than 2,210 people. In recent years, with great investment from the State, many important public works such as schools at all levels, medical stations, post offices, broadcasting stations, etc. have been built. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Tho Chu Island is now known as the “paradise of the Southwest sea”, attracting tens of thousands of tourists every year to visit and relax. Trade and tourism services have also developed, contributing significantly to increasing income and improving the lives of the people. Photo: Thanh Cuong