Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc shakes hands with Việt Nam Coast Guard High Command as he visits their headquarters yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc had a working session yesterday with the Việt Nam Coast Guard (VCG) High Command in Hà Nội, saying the force’s responsibility is "as heavy as it is glorious."

At the High Command’s headquarters, PM Phúc spoke to VCG officers and soldiers who serve on the country’s seas. He said he understood their hardships and asked the force to uphold their political steadfastness and to weather every difficulty so as to fulfil all their tasks.

VCG Commander Lt. Gen. Nguyễn Văn Sơn highlighted the force’s comprehensive development, adding that it's important to have a force specialising in law enforcement and other activities at sea.

The VCG has always been creative in performing its duties, helping safeguard the country’s sovereignty as well as security and safety at sea, while ensuring peace and stability for national development.

He added the force has recorded a number of great achievements, especially in working with relevant agencies to uncover thousands of drug trafficking and smuggling cases, along with illegal weapon storage and infiltration. It has also rescued hundreds of Vietnamese and foreign fishing boats and cargo ships in distress at sea.

However, Lt. Gen. Sơn also spoke of the force's shortcomings, including the need to improve its effectiveness in preventing Vietnamese fishermen from breaching other countries’ waters due to limited staff and vehicles.

Congratulating the VCG on its achievements, PM Phúc also pointed out that the situation at sea remains complex and requested the VCG to focus on performing its function as the State’s specialised force for enforcing law at sea and stay ready to help with natural disasters and search and rescue at sea.

The VCG also needs to make precise forecasts of the situation at sea so as to stay ready in all situations, detect and handle any activities violating Việt Nam’s seas and islands, and work closely with other forces to defend the country’s seas, islands and continental shelves.

All members of the force must strictly adhere to the Party and State’s instructions on how to respond to situations at sea so as to maintain a peaceful and stable environment, he stressed.

PM Phúc said he believed the VCG will brave any difficulty to continue upholding its traditions. — VNS