Co To island district is located in the eastern part of Van Don island, Quang Ninh province. As a strategic island, Co To plays a crucial role in terms of geography, politics, economy, culture, defense, security, and foreign affairs. This is the first and only place where President Ho Chi Minh allowed the construction of his statue while he was still alive.
With a large coastal area and nearly 200 km of coastline, Co To, along with Bach Long Vi island district and the chain of islands along the coast, forms three main clusters, stretching from the northeast to the southwest like a “mountain bow” on the sea. They have been a forefront, a strategic and defensive barrier protecting the northern gateway of the motherland. With a geological history of over 400 million years, Co To possesses a charming natural landscape, with its unique geographic features, “thousand-fold silver sea” scenery, and 74 islands, both having historical value to affirm Vietnam’s sovereignty over its waters and valuable for nurturing, conserving, and developing the economy.
Overcoming various historical stages, challenges, and changes in administrative boundaries, on March 23, 1994, Co To district was officially established. Before 2013, when Co To had no electricity grid, lacked fresh water, and had extremely difficult conditions with limited infrastructure and transportation, the local population mainly consisted of people who came from other places to settle down. Starting from 2013, the three major difficulties of electricity, fresh water, and transportation infrastructure have been connected, and the appearance and image of Co To Island have been changing day by day, making a significant contribution to improving the quality of life for its people.
The district’s economic growth rate reaches over 15% annually. In 2023, the average per capita income reached nearly 130 million VND/person/year, which is 1.5 times higher than the province’s average. Co To was the first island district in the country recognized for meeting the new rural development standards in 2015. Local defense and military tasks are being implemented in a comprehensive manner, ensuring political security, social order and safety, and maintaining sovereignty over the seas and islands.
At the ceremony, comrade Do Van Chien, Central Party Secretary and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, praised and highly appreciated the achievements that the Party Committee, government, and people of Co To district have achieved. He also presented the First Class Labor Medal to Co To district.
Comrade Do Van Chien suggested that Quang Ninh province and Co To island district deeply comprehend the Party’s orientations and viewpoints on economic development as the central task and building the Party as the key task. They should strengthen propaganda, education about the region’s history, culture, and people of Quang Ninh. Comrade Do Van Chien also recommended that Co To district adhere to the provincial plan approved by the Prime Minister, the district’s plan approved by the Quang Ninh People’s Committee, and implement tasks and solutions comprehensively. They should mobilize all resources of all economic sectors to invest in the construction and development of Co To island district. For Party committees, Party organizations, Party members, from the province to grassroots level, they should study and deeply understand the guiding ideology of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong in his article “Proud and confident under the glorious flag of the Party, determined to build a Vietnam increasingly prosperous, civilized, intellectual, and heroic.”
Comrade Do Van Chien also requested that Co To district focus on implementing the province’s approved plan, which has been approved by the Prime Minister, and the district’s plan, which has been approved by the Quang Ninh People’s Committee. They should carry out tasks and solutions in a comprehensive manner, and mobilize all resources of all economic sectors to invest in the construction and development of Co To island district. For Party committees, Party organizations, Party members, from the province to grassroots level, they should study and deeply understand the guiding ideology of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong in his article “Proud and confident under the glorious flag of the Party, determined to build a Vietnam increasingly prosperous, civilized, intellectual, and heroic.”
