National flag on ships going out to sea

VHO - For fishermen, the national flag flying on each ship amidst the stormy sea has become a sacred symbol of sovereignty, adding strength, faith and a resilient will to go out to sea.

The national flag flies on ships in Ly Son special economic zone.

Having worked in offshore fishing for nearly 30 years, fisherman Nguyen Van Chi (Ly Son special zone) considers the national flag the "heart" of his ship during his voyages to exploit aquatic products throughout Vietnam's fishing grounds.

“For fishermen, for generations, the national flag has been an indispensable part of every ship heading to the East Sea. In the middle of the vast ocean, we cannot determine which province the ship belongs to, but seeing the red flag with the yellow star fluttering in the distance makes us feel warm, our emotions surge, and we are determined to stick to the sea,” fisherman Chi was moved.

The national flag on the ships flutters in the wind, fishermen hurry out to sea to catch seafood.

Fisherman Bui Duc Thanh (Dong Son commune, Quang Ngai province) proudly said: "For fishermen, "the ship is home, the sea is homeland", previous generations have shed so much blood to fight and sacrifice to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

“We are the next generation, going to sea is not only a way to make a living, but also to affirm the sovereignty of Vietnam’s seas and islands. In the middle of the ocean, the presence of the national flags gives us more confidence and national pride to stick to the sea,” fisherman Thanh affirmed.

On the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa fishing grounds, Quang Ngai fishermen have been attached to the sea for generations. But more than just a livelihood, they also have the responsibility of asserting sovereignty, continuing the spirit of the heroic Hoang Sa fleet of the past.

The red flag with yellow star symbolizes the Fatherland on ships present in the East Sea. It is sacred, contributing to protecting the sovereignty of Vietnam's seas and islands.

The sea is always full of dangers for millions of Vietnamese fishermen. These disasters can come from “strange ships” but also from sudden storms.

But despite facing difficulties, the red flag with yellow star still flutters out to sea with fishermen because they understand that wherever the "flailing" sound of the red flag with yellow star resonates, the country's territorial waters extend and exist there. A seemingly simple "truth", but has been summarized through many generations of fishermen, even at the cost of their own lives.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, Chairman of Binh Chau Fisheries Union (Dong Son Commune) shared that fishermen never go out to sea without the national flag on their boats, some boats carry 4-5 flags. Every time they see the red flag with yellow star fluttering, they feel like they have more support and strength to stay at sea for a long time.

“That flag is not only for pride, but also to let international friends know that this sea has an owner, there are Vietnamese people who are working day and night to make a living and protect it. Wherever the flag flies, the Fatherland is present there, that is the greatest belief of us fishermen,” said Mr. Hung.

In the middle of the vast ocean, seeing the national flag on the ships, everyone is proud of their homeland and country.

Quang Ngai currently has more than 3,000 fishing boats with thousands of fishermen working in the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa fishing grounds. To keep the sails full of wind, the government and Border Guard forces have deployed many support activities, from providing fishing ground information, weather forecasting, to search and rescue. In particular, Border Guard stations have also presented thousands of national flags to fishermen, to affirm Vietnam's sovereignty.

Captain Mai Van Tuan, Deputy Political Commissar of Ly Son Border Guard Station, said that we are always by the fishermen's side at all times, from coordinating natural disaster prevention to rescue and relief in stormy waters. In addition to such practical support, the unit also presented the national flag to the fishermen.

“Giving flags to fishermen is not only a spiritual gift, but also a message that the Fatherland is always by our side. Each flag hung on the deck of a ship is another milestone affirming sovereignty,” Captain Mai Van Tuan emphasized.

Presenting national flags to fishermen of Ly Son special economic zone

The national flag is always flown in the highest and most solemn position on the ship. Many people have compared "a ship without a flag is like a house without a roof". It is the greatest asset for fishermen, nothing is more precious. Even when facing danger, they are determined to protect the ship, protect the national flag, and protect the fishing grounds.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/doi-song/co-to-quoc-tren-nhung-con-tau-vuon-khoi-165579.html