A giant map of VN formed by 1,500 young people in white and blueuniforms on the beach of Nha Trang set a new national record on June 5as part of activities to celebrate the 2011 Sea and Islands Week (June1-8).

The 43 metre long human map, which includedthe Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes and PhuQuoc island, was formed during a meeting in the central province ofKhanh Hoa to mark the Sea and Islands Week, The World Oncean Day (June8) and the World Environment Day (June 5), drawing the participation ofmore than 4,000 people.

The one-week event, themed“Green brainpower for sustainable development of Vietnam ’s Sea andIslands ”, was held by the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee and Ministry ofNatural Resources and Environment (MoNRE).

Speakingat the event, Deputy Minister of MoNRE Nguyen Van Duc stressed the seaacts as a gateway for Vietnam to exchange and cooperate withinternational friends. Therefore, the goal of developing Vietnaminto a country rich and strong in sea is a strategic issue of the Partyand Government.

He added, the sea plays a strategicrole in national socio-economic development and called on everyVietnamese to protect its natural resources to ensure theirsustainability in the wake of climate change.
Localities throughout the country held a wide range of events to markthe Sea and Islands Week, from cultural festivals, and performances,photo exhibitions to sports competitions, all on the theme of seaprotection./.