On the bustling coast of Đà Nẵng, a tragedy has unfolded that has gripped the local fishing community and drawn the attention of rescue forces across the region. The story of Phan Đình H, a 72-year-old fisherman from the Hòa Thượng neighborhood in Quảng Phú ward, is one of both heartbreak and the tireless efforts of those who rushed to his aid.
It all began on the afternoon of August 7, 2025, when Mr. H set out alone to fish in the nearshore waters off Đà Nẵng. According to reports from PLO and VTV, Mr. H, who had spent decades working the sea, was known for his solitary fishing trips—a habit that, while common among seasoned local fishermen, would later complicate rescue efforts. By evening, his family grew anxious as he had not returned home, and concern quickly spread throughout the community.
That same afternoon, a chilling discovery was made. Local residents spotted Mr. H’s small boat—a traditional thuyền thúng, less than six meters in length—adrift on the sands of Tam Xuân commune beach. The boat was empty, save for Mr. H’s phone, his identification papers, and a few personal belongings. The absence of the fisherman was unmistakable and alarming, prompting immediate fears for his safety.
Lieutenant Colonel Trần Quốc Khánh, head of the Tam Thanh Border Guard Station, was quick to mobilize his team. "We received the report of the missing fisherman and immediately coordinated with local authorities and residents to begin the search and rescue operation," he stated, as quoted by VTV. The urgency was palpable. The Tam Thanh Border Guard Station assembled three working teams, comprising 17 officers and soldiers, to scour both the sea and coastline for any sign of Mr. H.
The search operation was meticulously organized. One team, equipped with a high-speed rescue boat and five officers, swept the waters near where Mr. H’s boat had been found, focusing on zones where an accident was most likely to have occurred. Meanwhile, two other teams worked in tandem with local government officials and residents from both Quảng Phú ward and Tam Xuân commune, combing the beaches and rocky shoreline for clues.
Rescue efforts extended through the night of August 7 and into the early hours of August 8. The teams faced significant challenges—not least of which was the fact that Mr. H had been fishing alone. With no witnesses to his disappearance and only a drifting boat as evidence, pinpointing his last known location proved nearly impossible. As Lieutenant Colonel Khánh explained, "The victim was fishing alone, making it difficult to determine the exact location of disappearance."
Despite the exhaustive search, no immediate results emerged. The coastal area was vast, and the sea, with its unpredictable currents and tides, offered few clues. Nevertheless, the rescue forces refused to relent. According to PLO, the Tam Thanh Border Guard Station continued to expand the search area, determined to bring closure to Mr. H’s family and community.
Then, at around 9:15 AM on August 9, a breakthrough came. Local residents, scanning the shoreline as they had done for days, discovered a body floating near the sea, about one nautical mile from An An Hoà cape. The grim find was soon confirmed to be that of Phan Đình H. The Tam Thanh Border Guard Station responded immediately, arriving at the scene and coordinating with other forces to recover the body and arrange its handover to Mr. H’s grieving family.
The recovery brought a somber end to a harrowing ordeal that had united a community in hope and anxiety. As rescue teams stood down, the focus shifted to supporting Mr. H’s loved ones as they prepared for his funeral. The outpouring of support from neighbors, fellow fishermen, and local officials was a testament to the deep bonds that tie Đà Nẵng’s coastal communities together.
For many in the fishing villages of central Vietnam, Mr. H’s story is all too familiar. Fishing remains a way of life for countless families, with generations venturing out alone or in small groups to harvest the sea’s bounty. The risks are ever-present—changing weather, strong currents, and the possibility of sudden illness or accident. Yet, the tradition endures, sustained by necessity and a profound connection to the water.
Rescue operations like the one led by the Tam Thanh Border Guard Station are a crucial safety net for these communities. The rapid mobilization of 17 officers, the deployment of specialized equipment, and the coordination with local authorities underscore the seriousness with which such incidents are treated. As Lieutenant Colonel Khánh noted, the search and rescue efforts were conducted "urgently and throughout the night," reflecting both the professionalism of the forces involved and the community’s determination to leave no stone unturned.
Still, the tragedy has prompted reflection—and some hard questions. Should more be done to ensure the safety of solo fishermen? Are there additional measures that could be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future? Local officials and residents alike have begun discussing the possibility of enhanced safety training, better equipment, and more robust communication protocols for those who venture out alone.
At the same time, there is recognition that the sea, for all its beauty and abundance, remains an unpredictable force. The courage and resilience of Đà Nẵng’s fishermen are celebrated, but so too is the need for vigilance and support from the wider community and authorities. As the search for Mr. H came to its sad conclusion, many expressed gratitude for the dedication of the rescue teams and the solidarity shown by neighbors and friends.
In the days that followed, the memory of Phan Đình H lingered in the hearts of those who knew him. His story, though marked by loss, also serves as a reminder of the risks faced by Vietnam’s coastal communities—and of the collective strength that emerges in times of crisis. As the waves rolled gently onto the shores of Tam Xuân and Quảng Phú, life slowly returned to its rhythms, but the lessons of the past week would not soon be forgotten.
The efforts of the Tam Thanh Border Guard Station, local authorities, and ordinary citizens stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of Đà Nẵng’s people. In the face of tragedy, they came together—not only to search for a missing fisherman, but to reaffirm the ties that bind them to each other and to the sea.
