Fifty needy fishermen in the central Quang Ngai Province were today given each VND10 million (US$481) to help them invest for trips to head for the open sea for fishing.

The gifts, with a total value of VND500 million ($24,000), are the contribution of the Power Generation Corporation 2 under the Electricity of Vietnam to the fund entitled “Joining Hands to Protect Vietnam’s Sovereignty in the East Sea” launched by Tuoi Tre Newspaper.

Most of the fishermen confronted the violations of Chinese ships in the sea waters of Vietnam, and suffered damages because Chinese vessels sprayed water into their ships.

Some fishermen were injured for being attacked by electricity clubs. They are Vo Tien, Bui Van Long, and Vo Van Luu.

On awarding the gifts, Tuoi Tre newspaper’s general secretary Le Xuan Trung reminded that the presence of the fishermen in the Vietnamese sea waters has helped protect national sovereignty.

The gift recipients come from Binh Chau Commune of Binh Son District in Quang Ngai.