Delegates offer incense to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of Uncle Ho's visit to Co To Island. (Photo: NDO)

Co To Island district has a strategic location in the Northeast Sea of the country.

With that potential and important position, on May 9, 1961, the army and people of Co To Island were honored to welcome President Ho Chi Minh.

Uncle Ho visited and encouraged the soldiers and Co To people. He advised and encouraged the people to work hard in production, try their best to raise livestock, promote fisheries, nurture and protect precious seafood species, plant diverse fruit trees and timber trees, and advise students to study well.

It has been 63 years since Uncle Ho visited the island. Co To is making efforts towards becoming a modern national-level eco-tourism and island resort, gradually striving to become a Pearl Island in the Northeast region as Uncle Ho once wished.

From a poor island district with slow economic development and lack of everything, Co To now has national electricity grid, fresh water, and a developed passenger ferry and transport system.

In particular, in 2015, Co To district was recognized by the Government as the first island district to meet new rural standards in the country.

In 2023, the average income per capita in the district was estimated to reach more than USD5,300.

Tourism and services have developed rapidly to become a key economic sector, accounting for nearly 70% of the economic structure.

Co To welcomes more than 300,000 tourists each year.

Co To is currently considered an attractive tourist destination in the Ha Long-Quang Ninh travel itinerary.

On January 18, 2022, the President Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area on Co To Island was recognized by the Prime Minister as a special national relic, an honor and pride for the people, officials and soldiers in Co To district and Quang Ninh province. It is also a special asset and a driving force for Co To to become a dynamic marine economic region, attracting investors as well as domestic and international tourists to the island district.

The national flag raising ceremony on Co To Island is held on May 9 every year and has become the great flag raising ceremony.

The sacred ceremony marks an important milestone commemorating the day Uncle Ho visited Co To Island, and reminded the island district's troops and people to always remember his advice./.

Compiled by BTA