Those who 'keep Cua Lo green, keep the people's hearts strong'

Keep the sea blue.

As Cua Lo beach (Vinh city) approaches April – a special month with the opening ceremony –Cua Lo Beach Tourism FestivalMeanwhile, the local Party committee, government, and people are also busy completing urban beautification tasks, upgrading tourism infrastructure, and ensuring a clean and beautiful environment to welcome tourists.

Not remaining indifferent, the local militia also actively contributes to environmental sanitation, maintaining urban aesthetics, and ensuring the image of a green, clean, and beautiful Cua Lo in the eyes of tourists.

Following Lieutenant Colonel Truong Hai Duyen, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Vinh City Military Command, we arrived in Nghi Hoa ward where local militia forces were carrying out beach cleanup activities. This activity attracted hundreds of militia members who participated with a high sense of self-discipline and responsibility. Without being told, some picked up trash, others collected plastic bottles, nylon bags, and styrofoam containers washed ashore by the waves. The sacks full of garbage were carried to the collection point in an orderly and systematic manner.

"

“We live in a coastal area, and the development of tourism is an opportunity for our homeland to change. Therefore, contributing to maintaining a clean and beautiful marine environment is something every militia member should do. Besides cleaning up the environment, this is also a necessary activity to raise awareness among officers, soldiers, and the people in the area about protecting our homeland's coastline, making it greener, cleaner, and more beautiful.”

Comrade Nguyen Van Cuong - Commander of the Military Command of Nghi Hoa Ward, Vinh City

It is known that since 2020, when the local Party committee, government, and people promoted the movement to build a green, clean, and beautiful Cua Lo, attracting tourists to visit and relax, the local Military Command launched the "Green Sunday - Joining hands to clean the marine environment" model, mobilizing the militia and self-defense forces.

Over the past nearly five years, thousands of militia members have effectively participated in this model, creating a widespread impact and motivating political and social organizations in the area to join hands in carrying out campaigns to clean up the beaches, streets, workplaces, and the marine environment of Cua Lo, making it greener, cleaner, and more beautiful.

Not only the militia forces of Nghi Hoa ward, but also many militia units in other wards and communes participated in cleaning up and collecting waste in coastal areas, contributing to bringing a fresh look to Cua Lo beach before, during, and after the tourist season. This activity not only demonstrates the sense of responsibility of the militia forces but also spreads the message about environmental protection in the current period.

Fishermen's support system

Besides implementing activities to make the marine environment greener, cleaner, and more beautiful, the militia also does a good job of engaging with the people, accompanying them in the task of ensuring security and order, and equipping them with knowledge about the law and safety when going out to sea.

To better understand this initiative, we were present at Binh Quang Wharf, Nghi Hai Ward, Vinh City, where the Vinh City Military Command and local militia forces were carrying out a program to present national flags to fishermen.

The national flags handed directly to the fishermen were not just a simple gift, but also contributed to strengthening the bond between the military and the people. At the flag-giving ceremony, the militia also diligently guided the fishermen on how to use vessel tracking devices to ensure safety and comply with regulations on maintaining maritime security. They also reminded the fishermen to equip themselves with life jackets and lifebuoys, ready to respond to dangerous situations.

As someone who has always been involved with the local militia in many activities, Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong - Head of the fishing boat group in Nghi Hai ward - shared: "The militia is a solid support for fishermen to confidently venture out to sea. Not only do they provide security support, but they also guide us in complying with regulations, ensuring safety, and giving us more confidence on each trip out to sea."

These practical activities have helped fishermen gain more confidence on each fishing trip, while also clearly demonstrating the role of the militia in accompanying and supporting the people not only on land but also on the vast ocean.

Thanh Quynh