Awakening the "Southernmost Continent"

The bridge from the mainland to Hon Khoai Island, which only appeared in the imagination of Dat Mui people, is now gradually becoming a reality.

A series of key transport projects including the Ca Mau - Dat Mui expressway, the sea-crossing bridge to Hon Khoai Island and the Hon Khoai dual-use port were simultaneously started on August 19. This cluster of projects has a total investment of more than 60,000 billion VND, expected to create a breakthrough in socio -economic development and strengthen national defense and security for the southernmost region of the country.

Regional Strategic Connectivity Center

Hon Khoai Island Cluster is about 15 km southeast of Khai Long Beach, Ca Mau Province, together with the satellite islands of Hon Sao, Hon Go, Hon Doi Moi and Hon Da Le, forming a natural belt guarding the Southwest Sea. Of which, Hon Khoai is the largest island, with an area of ​​about 400 hectares, rugged rocky terrain with a peak of 318 m above sea level, abundant natural freshwater resources, and a rich ecosystem. However, this island is still wild, uninhabited, and mainly has only armed forces on duty.

On the existing Hon Khoai Island, there is a national defense traffic route of about 14 km long, surrounded by a sea area of ​​over 1,200 km2, located near an important international shipping route with a daily flow of cargo ships. Guarding the shipping route, close to the international route, Hon Khoai is both a fulcrum for controlling and managing the movement of ships passing through, and at the same time a natural barrier to defend the maritime border.

Perspective of the sea-crossing bridge from the mainland connecting Hon Khoai Island, connecting the Ca Mau - Dat Mui expressway. Photo: MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

With its strategic location, Hon Khoai is identified as the most important outpost island, playing a key role in the defense and security situation in the Southwest sea. In the long term, the development of this island not only serves the people and the economy, but more importantly, closely combines the economy with defense and security.

The groundbreaking of a series of three key projects associated with Hon Khoai is considered a major turning point, turning this outpost island into a strategic connection center of the region. In particular, the 18 km long sea-crossing bridge connects the end point of the Ca Mau - Dat Mui highway with Hon Khoai island. This project has a total investment of more than 25,700 billion VND, designed according to modern standards with 4 lanes, maximum speed of 80 km/h. The project is invested by Project Management Board 166 of the Ministry of National Defense , and is being urgently constructed by Army Corps 12. When completed, this will be the longest sea-crossing bridge in Southeast Asia.

This is the dream bridge of many generations of Dat Mui people, when completed, it will directly connect an offshore island to the national infrastructure system. "It is truly boundless joy for many generations of people here. Until now, we only dared to wish and imagine a bridge from the mainland to Hon Khoai island but never believed that this would become a reality" - Mr. Nguyen Van Hoang, resident of Dat Mui commune, expressed.

Protect the Fatherland early and from afar

Along with the sea bridge, the Hon Khoai dual-use general port project is being implemented right on the island, more than 17 km from the mainland. The project is invested by the Navy. The scale of the first phase includes a 1,000 m long wharf, with a capacity of 20 million tons/year; a water area and turning basin of about 203 hectares, capable of receiving ships with a tonnage of up to 250,000 DWT. In particular, the port has a system of breakwaters, protective dykes, military docking areas, barracks and auxiliary infrastructure, ensuring a "2 in 1" role: Serving economic development and national defense tasks.

In the completion phase, the port will expand its area to 686 hectares, adding two general cargo and container wharves with a length of 1,000 m and two liquid and gas wharves, capable of receiving 150,000 DWT ships. This is a major development step, turning Hon Khoai into a logistics center, a maritime gateway to the southernmost part of the country.

Many experts and local leaders see the synchronous implementation of infrastructure projects on Hon Khoai Island as the concretization of the viewpoint of "economic development associated with national defense from early on, from afar". The economic infrastructure is designed to be dual-purpose, meaning that in peaceful conditions it can serve the transportation of goods and develop trade; and when necessary, it can immediately become a military logistics base.

Mr. Pham Thanh Ngai, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province, commented that when completed (expected by the end of 2028), the chain of projects will seamlessly connect the North-South expressway to Dat Mui and Hon Khoai island, meeting the requirements of socio-economic development while ensuring national defense and security not only for Ca Mau province but also the whole Mekong Delta region.

"From a mainly defensive island, when directly connected to the national infrastructure system and a seaport is built, Hon Khoai can become a strategic transit point for goods, attracting investment in logistics services, and even developing eco-tourism associated with revolutionary historical values" - Mr. Ngai hopes.

Creating momentum for marine economic development

General Phan Van Giang - Politburo member, Minister of National Defense - affirmed that the investment in the construction of the Ca Mau - Dat Mui expressway, the traffic route to Hon Khoai island and the Hon Khoai dual-use port is of special importance, aiming to seamlessly connect the North - South expressway in the East to Dat Mui, connecting the mainland and Hon Khoai island to implement the economic development orientation of Hon Khoai to become the "Southernmost Continent" of the country in the coming years, contributing to the implementation of the important strategic orientation of the country, as well as for Ca Mau province.

Minister Phan Van Giang requested army corps and units to implement "3 determinations and 3 readiness" to complete works and projects on schedule, soon promote investment efficiency, and contribute to creating breakthroughs in the country's development.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/danh-thuc-luc-dia-cuc-nam-196250906202740071.htm