A pilot programme of building new fishing boats for fishermen in Ly Son (Quang Ngai province) has been implemented by the Viet Nam Ship Building Industry Corporation (Vinashin), laying a foundation for a plan to replace thousands of wooden fishing boats with modern steel boats with higher capacity and safety for fishermen, increasing offshore fishing capacity.

The central city of Da Nang has established 93 fishing groups of marine resources using 679 vessels with a total capacity of over 40,000 CV, accounting for 52 percent of the city’s fishing vessels. Participation in the groups has brought multifaceted benefits to fishermen.

The introduction of revolutionary songs in schools is an initiative by the Cao Lanh 2 high school in Dong Thap province that should be expanded to other schools. Before implementing the initiative “A revolutionary song every week”, the school selected 30 revolutionary songs for its pupils to sing and perform after the flag saluting ceremony that is held every week. Of them, some songs praise Viet Nam’s islands and seas such as the “Truong Sa archipelago is so close”.

The Viet Nam Fatherland Front chapter of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province has launched a fund raising programme entitled “For the beloved Truong Sa”, as part of activities specifying the national strategy for sea and islands, Ha Minh Dang, Head of the Chapter Office has said.

The People’s Committee of central Da Nang city issued Decision No. 22/2012/QD-UBND dated May 8, providing regulations on the management of communication with fishing boats operating in the city’s marine area.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and a delegation of National Assembly deputies of the northern port city of Hai Phong on May 16 met with voters in Thuy Nguyen district, ahead of the third National Assembly session scheduled to open on May 21.

In the days of late April 2012, a pioneer group of the Military Zone 7 Art Troupe, with the approval of the Military Zone 7 High Command, visited and gave performances for soldiers and people in Truong Sa archipelago.

Ben Tre provincial People’s Committee held a conference on May 10 to implement a plan for the provincial sea guard forces for the 2011-2020 term. Attending the conference were leaders from the province, relevant departments and sectors, officials of three coastal districts and coastal communes, together with representatives from the Southwest Region Steering Committee and two provinces of Tien Giang and Tra Vinh.