Located off the southwest coast of the country, Kien Hai is an island district of Kien Giang province, with a natural area of 27.85 square kilometres, including 23 large and small islands. Being near coast, the island district is endowed with many potentials and advantages for tourism and marine economy development, while holding an important position in terms of national defence and security in the coastal defence posture of Kien Giang province and Military Region 9.

The history of the district is traced back to January 1983 when the Council of Ministers (now the Government) decided to establish Kien Hai district, including Lai Son commune of An Bien district, Hai Tac, Ba Lua, and Hon Nghe islands of Ha Tien district. After some adjustments, now the district has 04 communes, namely: Hon Tre, Lai Son, An Son and Nam Du with 13 hamlets and a total population of over 22,000 people. This area has a large fishing ground, which is favourable for developing marine economy, especially seafood fishing, aquaculture, and processing, etc. Based on its advantages, the District has put a lot of investments in the development of modern fishing fleets for fishermen to operate offshore and develop the marine economy. Moreover, Kien Hai also focuses on aquaculture on cages and rafts along the islands on large scale with the application of science and technology aiming at high economic efficiency and sustainable protection of the marine environment. Besides, the district attaches importance to building logistics infrastructure for fishery industry, particularly the construction of storm shelters and anchorages on Nam Du island, the modernisation of fishing ports and the enhanced connections of the stages of exploitation, purchase and consumption of products in the value chain, etc.

Formed by many large and small islands, Kien Hai is endowed with many beautiful and pristine beaches, such as: Bai Bang, Bai Bac, Bai Thien Tue, Bai Gieng (Lai Son commune); Bai Cay Men, Bai Dat Do, Bai Ngu (An Son commune); Hon Mau beach, Hon Dau (Nam Du commune); rich and diverse seafood reserve; mild climate, serene environment and friendly people, so it is very favourable for tourism development. Every year, a large number of domestic and foreign tourists come to visit the district. With this advantage, Kien Hai government is trying to make tourism a key economic sector of the locality by investing in infrastructure and training to improve the knowledge and skills of local people doing tourism. At the same time, it strengthens the management to turn the primitive islands into attractive tourist destinations. Thanks to the sound policies and creative ways of doing business, from an island district with many difficulties, sparse population, poor infrastructure, after more than 40 years of establishment, Kien Hai has achieved an average annual growth rate of over 10%; its per capita income in 2022 was estimated at 62.5 million VND; 03 out of its 04 communes have access to clean water supply and meet the criteria of new rural area; 100% of schools in the locality are newly built.

As part of the national marine planning and the province's sea and island development strategy, promoting the will and aspiration for growth, with practical, effective solutions and  appropriate steps, it is hoped that in the near future, Kien Hai island district will see new developments and grow towards the sustainable and green economic model, contributing to strengthening its defence and security posture to make it a "bright example" in the southwestern strategic sea and island of the country.

CAO VUONG