Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm thăm và làm việc tại Cà Mau và Đặc khu Thổ Châu, An Giang | VTV24

Key Concepts

• Hòn Khoai Island: A strategically important island in Cà Mau province, Vietnam, crucial for national defense, security, and economic development.
• Thổ Châu Archipelago: A group of eight islands in An Giang province, serving as a vital frontier defense area in the southwest.
• Dual-use Port: A port facility designed for both civilian economic and military defense purposes.
• National Strategic Importance: Designation of a location or project as critical for the nation's security and development.
• Economic Ecosystem: A comprehensive network of infrastructure and economic activities designed to foster growth.
• Southwest Sea Space Control: Maintaining dominance and oversight over the maritime areas in the southwestern region.
• International Trade Gateway: A port or location that facilitates trade with other countries.
• Digital Government: Government operations and services delivered through digital technologies.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Strategies and measures to adjust to the actual or expected future climate.
• Ho Chi Minh Soldier Spirit: Embodying the dedication, sacrifice, and patriotism exemplified by President Ho Chi Minh.
• Frontier Defense: Military presence and operations in border or strategically sensitive areas.
• Sustainable Development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• EUV (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) Fishing: Fishing activities that violate national laws and international regulations.

Hòn Khoai Island Visit and Development

Strategic Importance and Development Projects

Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm and a Central delegation visited Hòn Khoai Island in Cà Mau province, the largest island group and a location of significant strategic importance. Hòn Khoai is characterized by its largely intact primary forest and plays a crucial role in controlling the southwestern sea space. The visit focused on inspecting the progress of two key projects: the road construction project to Hòn Khoai Island and the Hòn Khoai dual-use port, undertaken by the Navy and Military Engineering Corps 12, respectively.

These projects, alongside the Cà Mau-Đất Mũi expressway and other infrastructure, are intended to create a complete infrastructure ecosystem, opening new horizons for the development of Vietnam's southernmost continental region in the new era.

Defense and Economic Significance

Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm emphasized the critical importance of the road and dual-use port construction.

• National Defense and Security: The projects will enhance the island's strategic role in protecting sovereignty and supporting search and rescue operations.
• Economic Development: Hòn Khoai is envisioned as a vital connection point for the Mekong Delta's key economic zone and a new international trade gateway for Vietnam.

Directives for Provincial Development

During the working session, Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm urged the strict and effective implementation of the resolutions from the first Provincial Party Congress. The core principles include:

• Economic Restructuring: Transforming resolutions into tangible results through economic reforms.
• Productivity Enhancement: Increasing output and efficiency.
• Business Environment Improvement: Creating more favorable conditions for businesses.
• Private Sector and New Cooperatives Development: Fostering growth in private enterprises and new cooperative models.
• Digital Government Construction: Implementing digital solutions for governance.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Developing strategies to cope with climate change impacts.
• Social Welfare: Prioritizing the well-being of the people, investing in education and healthcare, eliminating temporary housing, and caring for individuals with meritorious service, policy families, Khmer and Hoa ethnic groups, and other vulnerable populations.

The guiding principle is "say less, do more," with results and public trust serving as the measure of success.

Strategic Project Acceleration

The Tổng Bí thư also called for accelerating strategic projects implemented by the Ministry of National Defense, promoting inter-provincial and inter-regional connectivity, and expediting the development plan for Hòn Khoai Island to be strong economically and secure in defense and security.

Hòn Khoai Project: A National Strategic Focus

Regarding the Hòn Khoai construction, the Tổng Bí thư stressed that all personnel on-site must understand that Hòn Khoai is a national strategic focal point. The port and sea-crossing bridge are not only for civilian and economic use but also serve as a defense and security stronghold at the southernmost tip of the nation.

• Timeliness and Commitment: Project progress is not merely about deadlines but reflects public trust, state credibility, and responsibility towards the nation's future. The directive was clear: "Not one hour late, not one step back, not allowing any link to stagnate the overall progress."
• National Vow: Hòn Khoai is described as more than just a construction project; it is a "national vow," a step forward for a Vietnam that is ambitious and self-reliant.
• Overcoming Challenges: Despite the significant tasks, tight timelines, and harsh conditions, the Vietnamese spirit of never yielding is paramount. Difficulties are seen as tests, storms as hurdles, and will as the decisive force.
• Embodying the Ho Chi Minh Soldier Spirit: The Tổng Bí thư urged soldiers to strongly embody the "Ho Chi Minh Soldier spirit" to complete the plan. Each bridge span and sea pylon is a "mark of the Fatherland." Hardship will not impede progress, and high waves will not deter determination. The goal is to build not just a port but the nation's "stance at sea," opening up a future for Vietnam.

Defense Readiness and Provincial Support

The Tổng Bí thư also emphasized the need to maintain the highest combat readiness, actively control all maritime situations, and prevent any complacency in defense duties. He requested provincial leaders to be present at the site regularly to encourage personnel and ensure material support for officers, soldiers, engineers, and workers. The aspiration is for Hòn Khoai to become a symbol of Vietnam's rising stature.

Maritime Management and Provincial Concerns

The Tổng Bí thư also directed the enhancement of maritime management and surveillance capabilities, close coordination with border guards and coast guard forces to combat IUU fishing and manage fishermen and fishing vessels, and proactive search and rescue operations.

Regarding Cà Mau province's proposals, the Tổng Bí thư instructed the Central Office to coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to process them appropriately, affirming that despite its distance, Cà Mau is not distant in terms of policy and central government attention. He reiterated that Cà Mau, though at the "end of the southern sky," is never the end of Vietnam's aspirations, serving as the "bow of the Vietnamese ship venturing into the vast sea" in the new era.

Thổ Châu Archipelago Visit

Strategic Location and Challenges

In the afternoon, Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm and his delegation visited the Thổ Châu Special Administrative Region in An Giang province. This region comprises eight islands with critical strategic positions, forming the westernmost frontier defense area of the nation. The Tổng Bí thư expressed his pleasure in meeting with officials and residents at the "frontline of the southern wind and waves." He acknowledged the challenges faced by the islanders, including intense heat, strong winds, rough seas, and shortages of electricity, fresh water, schools, and medical facilities.

Resilience and Unity

Despite these difficulties, the Tổng Bí thư praised the courage of the residents and military personnel who remain steadfastly on the sea and islands, silently bearing hardships for the nation's peace and development. He highly valued the Thổ Châu Special Administrative Region, noting that its greatest asset is the unity and cohesion between the government and the people, where citizens trust officials and officials serve the people.

Defense and Economic Potential

Thổ Châu offers not only economic benefits but, more importantly, significant strategic defense value. The goal is to make Thổ Châu a proud, sustainable, and pillar region for Vietnam's development, embodying the spirit of "the bow of the ship heading to the vast sea, protecting the sea, protecting the people, and protecting the nation's peace."

Vision for Thổ Châu

The Tổng Bí thư envisioned Thổ Châu as a new, strong, and sustainable maritime region with a robust economy, ecological balance, solid defense, and secure environment. He expressed a desire for Thổ Châu to be a future destination that all Vietnamese people aspire to visit with pride and confidence, feeling the "breath of the nation at the southernmost tip." The aim is for Thổ Châu to shine brightly and develop to its full potential.

Sustainable Development and National Defense

Key aspects of sustainable development linked with national defense and security were highlighted:

• Stable Residential Areas: An Giang should collaborate with ministries and agencies to research the feasibility of establishing stable residential areas, a long-term strategic component of sustainable island development.
• Governmental Efficiency: Focus on stabilizing the administrative apparatus and ensuring the smooth operation of the two-tiered local government.
• Fisheries Management: Regulating fishing activities and ensuring ecological balance.
• Essential Needs: Prioritizing basic necessities for Thổ Châu, including adequate healthcare, sound education, and rich culture, so that every resident, official, and child on the remote island enjoys the same development rights as any Vietnamese person on the mainland.
• Strategic Point: Establishing Thổ Châu as a strategic point within the southwestern defense system.

The Tổng Bí thư emphasized that sustainable development is a goal and a task for all levels of Party committees, authorities, and the people of Thổ Châu, focusing on harmonious development of nature, society, and people, with the welfare of the people at the center.

Gifts and Remembrance

On this occasion, Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm presented commemorative gifts to the Party committee, government, and people of the Thổ Châu Special Administrative Region, and to the 152nd Regiment and Thổ Châu Border Guard Post. During his visit, he paid respects and expressed profound gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh and the heroes and martyrs at the Thổ Châu Temple.