NgheAn (VNA) – Located 24km from the coast of central Nghe An province,Dao Mat (Eyes Island) plays a significant role in economic development anddefence-security strategy of the province and the north central region as well.

Lying218m above sea level and covering an area of 2.2 kilometres square, Dao Matcomprises two smaller islets. From the mainland, the island look like a pair ofeyes and is known as Eyes Island.

TheNghe An Memoirs by Second-rank Doctor Bui Duong Lich, an author living in thelate Le and early Nguyen dynasties (18th century), wrote: “It is a smallisland, located in Dan Nhai sea, which looks to the mainland to safeguard theland from invaders”.

Legendhas it that the island was where To Nuong, thought tohave lived around 40AD, waited for her husband for a long time.

To Nuong’s native land was An Lac, Son Tay. Her husband’s homelandwas Ham Hoan (now Nghe An). Both of them were commanders under the Trungsisters’ revolution against the Han invaders from the north. When therevolution was defeated, they lost each other.

To Nuong decided to row toward Ham Hoan tolook for her husband. When she came near the destination, her boat was pushedto Quynh Nhai island   by storm. On Quynh Nhai island,she was exhausted and her boat had been destroyed. She was then stuck onthe island. Everyday, she looked at her husband’s homeland so the name ofDao Mat, or Nhan Son (Mountain’s Eyes) was given to the island. 

Accordingto defence specialists, Dao Mat has a strategic location and height, whichserves as watching eyes protecting the north central coastal region.

Fifty-threeyears ago, on March 31, 1963, Company 32 of Division 324 set its base in DaoMat to safeguard the country’s sea and sky. A monument has been built on theisland to commemorate soldiers who died to protect the island.

Company32 fought 297 enemy aircraft, 64 warships, 10 destroyers, one raider, twocruisers and one battleship, while rescuing 3,210 ships and 172 people.

Between1965 and 1973, the US troops dropped more than 4,000 tonnes of bombs on theisland, with an average of two tonnes per square kilometre.

In1973, the island was honoured by the Party and State with the title “Hero of ArmedForces”.

Thegeographical structure of the island mostly comprises rock. However, it stillhas diverse vegetation cover, with fig trees considered as the symbol of theisland.

Figtrees, which can grow between rocks, are not tall but strong and stable. Banyantrees also grow across the islands, with many old ones roots covering hugerocks.

Theisland also has a 201.8m lighthouse which was built in 2004, guiding vesselsoperating in the area.

A flagpolewas also built on the island on September 9, 2015 by Vietnamese youths.

Recently,the island has seen many changes thanks to efforts by soldiers, the PartyOrganisation and Nghe An citizens.

However,due to the rocky terrain, the island faces a serious shortage of water.

Despitethe difficulties, soldiers stationed on the island have built small reservoirsto keep water from small streams in the mountain for daily use. They have evengrown vegetables and reared livestock, reducing dependence on goods from themainland.

A telecommunication pole was also set up on the island, helpingconnecting islanders with their families on the mainland./.