On April 16, 2025, at the Hữu Nghị International Border Gate in Lạng Sơn, General Phan Văn Giang, the Minister of National Defense, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, performed a ceremonial salute and painted milestone 1116. This event marked the opening of the 9th Vietnam-China border defense friendship exchange, a significant step in fostering cooperation and understanding between the two nations.
In a separate yet equally fascinating story, a camera used in the 1970s to hunt for the elusive Loch Ness Monster has been rediscovered after being lost for 55 years beneath the depths of Loch Ness in Scotland. The underwater camera, part of a set of six deployed by biologist Roy Mackal of the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau, was designed to capture images of the legendary creature known as Nessie.
According to reports, the camera was located at a depth of approximately 182 meters and astonishingly still contains impressive photos from its time submerged in the lake. The discovery was made by the autonomous submarine Boaty McBoatface, which is operated by the UK's National Oceanography Center. During a routine survey of the lakebed, Boaty McBoatface became entangled in the camera's anchor line, leading researchers to this remarkable find.
Adrian Shine, a veteran member of the Loch Ness Project since the 1970s, expressed his amazement at the camera's condition. "The incredible thing is that the shell of the camera kept it dry for 55 years, and the film inside is still developable," he stated. While the camera did not manage to capture any images of Nessie, the photographs it took provide a rare glimpse into the dark depths and complex terrain of Loch Ness.
The Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie, is a legendary creature believed to inhabit the freshwater Loch Ness, which has a maximum depth of 230 meters. The first recorded sighting of Nessie dates back to 1802 when a farmer claimed to have seen a creature measuring about 45 meters long rising to the surface. Over the years, numerous reports of sightings have emerged, yet the scientific community often dismisses these claims as hoaxes or misinterpretations of natural phenomena.
One of the most famous images purportedly showing Nessie was taken in 1934 by surgeon Robert Wilson. This photograph was later revealed to be a hoax, yet it fueled public interest and speculation about the creature's existence. Despite various investigations, including a comprehensive study by the BBC in 2003, no conclusive evidence has been found to prove that Nessie is real.
Some theories suggest that Nessie could be a descendant of the Plesiosaurus, a marine reptile from the age of dinosaurs, or perhaps just a giant mutated eel. Recent DNA studies conducted on the water from Loch Ness have not uncovered any traces of dinosaur DNA but have revealed a significant amount of eel DNA, lending credence to the latter theory.
As the camera is now housed at the Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit, it will serve both as a research tool and a display piece, allowing visitors to explore the ongoing mystery of Nessie and the history of Loch Ness investigations. The rediscovery of the camera not only reignites interest in the Loch Ness Monster but also highlights the enduring allure of this enigmatic creature, which continues to captivate the imagination of many.
With the ongoing exchanges and cooperation between Vietnam and China symbolized by the ceremony at the Hữu Nghị International Border Gate, and the intriguing developments surrounding the Loch Ness Monster, it's clear that both nations and the world continue to seek understanding and connection, whether through diplomatic efforts or the mysteries of nature.
