Century-old Long Chau lighthouse stands guard over Hai Phong waters
PHUONG LINH•21/12/2025 13:00
Standing atop a rocky mountain amid the northeastern sea and sky, Long Chau lighthouse has for more than a century quietly cast its light, guiding vessels in and out of Hai Phong’s maritime gateway.
The Long Chau archipelago lies to the southeast of Cat Ba island in Cat Hai special zone, Hai Phong city. It comprises around 30 islands, rocks and submerged shoals, holding a particularly important position in maritime navigation and national defense.Long Chau island is the largest in the archipelago, covering more than 1.2 km2. It is formed by cold gray limestone ridges with rugged terrain and no permanent residents.Located on the highest peak of the island, Long Chau lighthouse stands out against the northeastern seascape and is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in Vietnam.Built by the French in 1894, the stone lighthouse rises 109.5 m above sea level and has a lighting range of about 27 nautical miles. In favorable weather conditions, vessels nearly 50 km from the island can still spot its beam.The path leading to the lighthouse winds along steep rocky slopes and is the familiar route used daily by staff of the Long Chau Lighthouse Management Station.The Long Chau Lighthouse Management Station has five officers and employees under the Vietnam Maritime Safety Corporation, responsible for operating and maintaining the light around the clock.On routine duty, the station staff check equipment, observe sea conditions and ensure the lighting system operates continuously.Reaching the top of the lighthouse requires climbing narrow, spiral wooden staircases inside the tower.Before each operating shift, the station personnel inspect the lighting system, power supply and signaling equipment to ensure compliance with technical specifications stated in maritime notices.The lighting cluster has been renewed with a solar-powered system, while the original pedestal and main structure built by the French have been preserved.The maintenance and repair of maritime signaling equipment, communication and lightning prevention systems are carried out regularly amid strong winds and high humidity.From the lighthouse, a vast panorama of Long Chau island and the northeastern sea unfolds. From this high point, the beam shines every night, helping vessels determine their position when entering Hai Phong’s vital shipping lanes.In the past, Long Chau island lacked fresh water and electricity. In recent years, investment in solar power systems has improved working conditions. The station staff regularly clean and maintain solar panels to ensure a stable power supply for both the lighthouse and daily life on the island.Upon receiving information about an incident, the station personnel promptly inspect, verify and report to the corporation and relevant units for timely handling.The station maintains vehicles, machinery and spare supplies in a constant state of readiness to respond quickly to incidents at sea.In addition to professional duties, the staff regularly clean the workplace, clear pathways, and ensure occupational safety and fire prevention.For more than 70 years since the liberation of Hai Phong, Long Chau lighthouse has never gone dark for a single night, becoming a reliable beacon for thousands of vessels operating in northeastern waters.Amid the vast sea and sky, Long Chau lighthouse symbolizes endurance and the quiet sacrifice of generations of officers, soldiers and workers who have been guarding the “eyes of the sea” at the frontline of wind and waves.
