(VOVWORLD) - The Vietnam Coast Guard High Command has been honored with a second-class Feat of Arms Order for its outstanding performance in the fight against drug crimes.
 Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Tan Cuong presents the Feat of Arms Order to the Vietnam Coast Guard High Command, August 26, 2023. |
The unit organized a ceremony in Hanoi on Saturday to receive the order and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG)’s Traditional Day (August 28).
Addressing the function, Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Tan Cuong lauded the VCG's efforts and achievements over the past 25 years, saying the force has well performed in patrols, law enforcement, crime combat, search and rescue operations, defense diplomacy, and communications.
Apart from defending national sovereignty, the VCG has coordinated with other competent forces in handling defense and security incidents emerging at sea, contributing to consolidating national defense and security, said Mr. Cuong, who is also Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army.
According to the VCG's Political Commissar Bui Quoc Oai, the VCG is now able not only to 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 and cooperate 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 Vietnam’s territorial waters, seized and handled hundreds of cases of smuggling and trade fraud, coordinated in busting many drug rings, and saved hundreds of fishermen who were in distress at sea, he said.
The VCG has set up bilateral and multilateral relations, and hotlines with law enforcement forces of countries in and outside the region, significantly contributing to Vietnam’s defense diplomacy and international integration.