The southern province of Kien Giang on March 27 held a ceremony to announce a Prime Minister’s decision recognising Phu Quoc prison in Phu Quoc island district as a special national heritage site.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh, leaders of Mekong Delta cities and provinces, war veterans and nearly 600 former Phu Quoc prisoners.

The recognition for the prison, where Vietnamese communists were jailed during the war, reflects the Party and State’s deep gratitude to over 4,000 war martyrs who laid down their lives in the prison and tens of thousands of Vietnamese communists who joined the national struggle for national liberation, independence and freedom and for people’s happiness.

The acknowledgement also honours the huge value of the site in educating the country’s revolutionary tradition and raising national pride and responsibilities among younger generations.

The ceremony was followed by an arts programme entitled ‘Sentiments towards the country’s border, sea and islands regions’.

Addressing the event, Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh stressed that borders, seas and islands play a vital role in the country’s socio-economic development and maintenance of security and defence.

Safeguarding national sovereignty over the regions is protecting the sacred value of the country, and it is the responsibility of all ministries, sectors, localities and each Vietnamese citizen, he emphasised.

He called on the entire people and army to demonstrate their strong will and utmost determination to protect the national sovereignty, territory, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over its border, sea and island regions while sharing difficulties with soldiers stationed there.

Dtinews