Braving the rough seas to bring love to Con Co Island, Ly Son.

Heading towards the "green gem"

Often referred to as the "green gem" of Quang Tri province, Con Co Island serves both as a strategic outpost protecting national sovereignty and as one of the most beautiful islands in Central Vietnam.

Heading towards the soldiers and people on Con Co Island, on January 10th, Ship 390 of the 3rd Naval Region transported a delegation and Tet gifts to the area near Con Co Island. However, fluctuating weather conditions, with northerly to northwesterly winds increasing to level 2-3, and level 3-4 in coastal areas, along with rain and scattered thunderstorms, prevented the delegation from landing on the island.

In the midst of high waves, strong winds, and rain, transporting the goods proved very difficult. After more than an hour, the boxes of gifts and essential supplies were finally moved onto the fishing boat. However, despite their best efforts, they were unsuccessful in setting up a ladder for the delegates to disembark onto the fishing boat.

To ensure safety, the commander decided to organize a New Year's greeting program connecting directly with officers and soldiers on Con Co Island.

Colonel Nguyen Quang Vinh, Deputy Head of Political Affairs, Naval Region 3 Command, said: "Due to bad weather and sea waves of level 6 and 7, connecting via video link to send New Year greetings was absolutely necessary. Through this, we can see the affection from the mainland, the affection of the officers and soldiers of Naval Region 3 Command in particular, and the people of the whole country in general, towards the island districts."

During the online program, Colonel Pham Dinh Thanh - Standing Committee Member, Deputy Political Commissar of Naval Region 3 - extended his best wishes to the Party Committee, government, military, and people of Con Co island district on the occasion of preparing to welcome the New Year of the Snake 2025.

The Deputy Political Commissar of the 3rd Naval Region expressed his hope that the Party Committee, government, military, and people of Con Co island district would continue to uphold the spirit of unity, overcome all difficulties, and resolutely build the island district into an increasingly developed and prosperous area; build a strong national defense and security foundation, and maintain an increasingly solid "people's support" posture at sea.

Deeply moved by the delegation's affection for Con Co Island District, Mr. Vo Viet Cuong, Secretary of the District Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Co District, expressed his gratitude to the Command of Naval Region 3 and the delegates. The attention from these units is an important motivation for the military and people of the island to strive to fulfill their assigned tasks, develop the economy and society, and ensure security, political, and national defense tasks on this frontline island of the Fatherland.

Leaving Con Co Island, ship 390 and the delegation continued their journey to visit, encourage, and extend New Year greetings to the military and civilians of Ly Son island district (Quang Ngai province).

Ly Son Island is both far and near.

On the morning of January 11, 2025, a delegation from the Command of Naval Region 3, along with representatives from local authorities, units, and individuals, arrived in Ly Son Island District (Quang Ngai Province). There, the delegation presented meaningful gifts to the military, civilians, and other forces on Ly Son Island, aiming to bring them a fulfilling and warm Tet holiday.

Ly Son is an island district belonging to Quang Ngai province, located about 15 nautical miles (to the northeast) from the mainland. It has an area of ​​over 10.39 km² and a population of over 22,000 people.

Located on the North-South sea route – the gateway to the Dung Quat Economic Zone – Ly Son has become a strategic administrative unit, playing a crucial role in the maritime and island defense strategy of Quang Ngai province and the Central region. At the same time, the island has immense value for the development of the marine economy.

At the program "Visiting and extending New Year greetings to officers and soldiers of Radar Station 550, Regiment 352, military and civilian forces on Ly Son Island," Colonel Pham Dinh Thanh - Standing Committee Member, Deputy Political Commissar of Naval Region 3, and Head of the delegation - extended greetings, encouragement, and best wishes to the officers and soldiers of Radar Station 550 and the forces stationed, working, and living on Ly Son Island.

The comrade affirmed that, in the past period, Radar Station 550 has carried out its duties under conditions where the sea area under its responsibility has been complex, especially with foreign fishing vessels frequently intruding into our waters; and harsh climate and weather conditions.

Overcoming difficulties, the officers and soldiers of Radar Station 550, together with the military and people on the island district, have united and strived to overcome challenges and successfully complete their tasks; building a "people's defense posture," creating a solid foundation for building a strong national defense and people's security system at sea, contributing to the management and protection of maritime sovereignty; and making our country a rich and strong maritime nation.

The programs to visit and extend New Year greetings to officers, soldiers, and people in the two island districts of Con Co and Ly Son were successfully completed. Through this activity, the close-knit solidarity between the rear and the front lines, between the Party committees, governments, military, and people of the Central provinces, central and local media agencies, and the Navy, military, and people of Con Co and Ly Son island districts, were further deepened.