Vietnam Coast Guard wins praise for efforts in combatting drug crimes

The unit held a ceremony on August 26 in Hanoi in order to receive the order and to celebrate the 25th traditional day of the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) (August 28, 1998 - 2023).

Upon addressing the event, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, lauded the VCG's efforts and achievements over the past 25 years, noting that the force has competently performed patrols, law enforcement, crime combat efforts, search and rescue operations, defence diplomacy, and communication work.
Aside from defending national sovereignty, the VCG has co-ordinated with other competent forces to handle defence and security incidents emerging at sea, thereby contributing to consolidating national defence and security, he said.

The officer requested that the unit continue to work as an advisor to the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defence in maritime policies and guidelines, thereby helping to make comprehensive reforms and improve personnel training.

According to Political Commissar of the VCG Lieutenant General Bui Quoc Oai, the VCG is now able to not only complete the tasks of protecting national sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and safeguarding security, order and safety at sea, but also to patrol and control the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf. This is along with co-operating in search and rescue operations in the waters beyond 200 nautical miles in a timely and effective manner.

The force has prevented thousands of foreign boats from infringing upon Vietnamese territorial waters, seized and handled hundreds of cases of smuggling and trade fraud, co-ordinated in busting many drug rings, and saved hundreds of fishermen who were in distress at sea.

The VCG has established bilateral and multilateral relations, as well as creating hotlines with law enforcement forces of countries both in and outside the region, making remarkable contributions to the country’s defence diplomacy and international integration.