A happy assignment!

Filled with the loving bond between teacher and student in this remote island.

Every year, the Navy facilitates opportunities for journalists to accompany working groups to visit and work with the military and civilians on Truong Sa Island and the DK-I platform.

However, not everyone has the opportunity to participate in this special assignment. When selected, each journalist needs to be mentally prepared to face many difficulties and challenges throughout the voyage.

For editor Pham Hong Thinh of the Education & Times newspaper, receiving the order to go to Truong Sa meant she understood that this was an extremely special assignment in her journalistic career. Especially since she only had a few hours on each island, she had to constantly focus on working effectively and efficiently.

Journalist Hong Thinh chats with a teacher on Truong Sa Island.

For journalist Hong Thinh, the feeling of stepping onto the HQ571 ship to go to Truong Sa was one of excitement, nervousness, and happiness. There were so many unfamiliar encounters and getting acquainted with the members of the delegation, as well as experiencing a new living environment.

"During this trip, I had the opportunity to meet teachers and students on the islands of Song Tu Tay and Truong Sa Lon – despite the hurried pace, their interactions were always filled with emotion and love. Amidst the sun and wind of the islands, I listened to the teachers talk about their dedication to their profession, including this incredibly special journey. In the eyes of each teacher, there was always a sparkle of optimism and happiness when they spoke about their school and students," journalist Pham Hong Thinh shared.

Thanks to the attention of all levels and sectors, especially the Education sector, schools in the islands are increasingly receiving investment in infrastructure, ensuring a good quality of life so that teachers can work with peace of mind. The students are also very diligent and bright. Although the harsh climate on the islands may significantly impact metal learning materials and computers, making teaching and learning more difficult, both teachers and students always strive to overcome these challenges.

"Perhaps, in this remote island location, there's a lack of family warmth, but this is compensated by the shared home built on the bond between soldiers and civilians on the island, so the teachers and students are never without laughter and joy..." , journalist Hong Thinh said with a smile.

Along with those emotionally charged stories, journalist Pham Hong Thinh was also impressed and admired when he met Dr. Dang Hoang Anh - Vice President of the Vietnam Education Trade Union - on Truong Sa Lon Island.

Journalist Hong Thinh recounted: Ms. Hoang Anh was very dynamic and extremely concerned about supporting teaching equipment here, so she directly contacted the mainland with the trade unions of various units: Hue University, National Economics University, and the Education Publishing House, who joined hands to support the provision of laptops, 53-inch TV screens, and two sets of textbooks for primary school teachers.

Upon successfully establishing contact, Ms. Hoang Anh happily shared the news and expressed: "Once the teacher returns from leave, we will connect with him to give him practical gifts. These gifts carry the heartfelt affection of the teachers on the mainland for Truong Sa..."

Journalist Pham Hong Thinh was moved, saying, "I feel truly happy to have the good fortune to be able to personally visit Truong Sa and share in the joy of the teachers and students at this remote outpost – though far away, they are always close, always filled with sharing, connection, and love flowing from the blood of the descendants of Lac and Hong, of Mother Vietnam!"

Bringing Truong Sa closer to the mainland.

Journalist Tran Chi Tuan of the People's Representatives Newspaper has long yearned to visit Truong Sa, so when he received the notification to go to Truong Sa, he was very excited and proud.

"Participating in the 2024 Task Force No. 6 to Truong Sa, our first impression was the ship numbered 571, bearing the symbol of the red flag with a yellow star on its deck. The ship was large and modern, like a floating hotel, and we were very warmly welcomed and guided by the crew," journalist Chi Tuan shared.

Visiting Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) has long been a dream of journalist Tran Chi Tuan from the People's Representatives Newspaper.

What moved him most was the memorial ceremony for the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives on the Truong Sa archipelago, held right on the ship's deck in the middle of the ocean. In a solemn atmosphere, the memorial delegation's speech recounting the story of the 64 heroic martyrs who bravely sacrificed themselves to defend Gac Ma Island in 1988 moved most of the delegates to tears.

After the ceremony, each delegate held a paper crane and a flower, and together they released them into the sea, hoping that the soldiers who bravely sacrificed their lives for the islands and seas would rest in eternal peace.

"This was the most impressive and moving experience for me and the members of the delegation," journalist Chi Tuan recalled.

Attending the flag-raising ceremony, singing the national anthem, and listening to the soldiers recite the 10 oaths of honor on Truong Sa Island was an extremely moving and sacred experience, leaving a deep impression on journalist Chi Tuan's mind. Each oath affirmed the will and strength of the Vietnam People's Army in its determination to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands.

Returning to the mainland, journalist Chi Tuan still felt a strong longing for Truong Sa. He remembered the restless, yet joyful expressions of the island soldiers welcoming the delegation from the mainland; he remembered the people whose skin was tanned dark by the sun, wind, and rain, but who were so courageous and defiant amidst the vast ocean; he remembered the resolute shouts of "We swear" at the flag-raising ceremonies on the island...

For journalist Chi Tuan, the days spent reporting in Truong Sa are unforgettable memories in his journalistic career, both to broaden his personal experience and to gather more information and gain a better understanding of the efforts to protect maritime sovereignty, bringing the remote islands closer to the mainland.

Despite facing numerous difficulties due to harsh weather conditions, tight deadlines, and a packed work schedule, journalist Chi Tuan shared that to work effectively, thorough preparation is needed from the mainland regarding the itinerary and destinations. It's essential to identify topics of interest, observe the individuals to be interviewed, and utilize every opportunity and condition to gather materials for the job.

The biggest regret for journalist Chi Tuan and the delegation during this voyage was that, due to weather conditions and to ensure safety, the delegation members were unable to directly visit the DK-I platform to meet and personally hand over meaningful and practical gifts filled with the warmth and affection of the mainland. Instead, they had to visit and encourage the officers and soldiers on the platform through the VFF system.

"The DK-I platform stands alone in the vast ocean, facing rough seas, strong waves, and relentless winds that threaten to 'swallow' it up, yet the soldiers remain steadfast there to ensure the absolute safety of our homeland's maritime sovereignty - an image of unwavering resilience, indomitability, and immense pride," journalist Chi Tuan expressed.

Looking back on this stormy but heartwarming journey filled with camaraderie between soldiers and civilians, and love for fellow countrymen and comrades, journalist Chi Tuan reminisced. After traveling through six islands and the DK-I platform, each place left behind beautiful images and a surge of emotions. He remembered the rocking motion on the ship; the care and support of the Navy, prioritizing journalists on the first boat trips to the islands; the people whose skin was tanned by the sun and wind but were so affectionate, warm, and united; and the shouts of "Truong Sa for the Fatherland, the Fatherland for Truong Sa."

Among the journalists and reporters participating in Task Force No. 6, this is the third time journalist Manh Nghinh from the News Department of Thai Nguyen Radio and Television Station has visited the Truong Sa archipelago.

Journalist Mạnh Nghịnh is pictured with the Chairman of the People's Committee of Thái Nguyên province, Trịnh Việt Hùng, in Trường Sa.

He shared that although he has visited Truong Sa many times, each time he has different feelings. Every time he returns to Truong Sa, he feels the changes – changes in the landscape of the islands, the more solid and spacious housing, and the lush greenery despite the harsh natural conditions.

But one thing remains unchanged: the affection and closeness of the soldiers and civilians on the islands towards everyone who visits the Truong Sa archipelago, and the determination and unwavering courage of the Truong Sa soldiers, always standing firm amidst the waves and winds... to safeguard the sovereignty of every inch of land and every stretch of sea - a sacred part of the Fatherland.

The most unforgettable memory for journalist Manh Nghinh was the days of rough seas. The officers and soldiers on the ship were also seasick, but they still tried their best to support the reporters in their work, especially in transporting them from the ship by CQ boat to the islands. Despite the rough seas and soaking wet clothes, they still held onto the cameras and video recorders, carefully wrapped in plastic bags, to help the journalists capture authentic images and bring Truong Sa closer to the mainland.

"Every time I return to Truong Sa, the landscape on the islands, the sturdy and spacious housing, and the lush greenery despite the harsh natural conditions are all better. But one thing remains unchanged: the affection and closeness of the soldiers and civilians on the islands towards everyone who visits the Truong Sa archipelago..." journalist Manh Nghinh shared.

"I remember, during a trip to Truong Sa in 2022, a soldier was willing to cling to a rope on the boat to hold onto a camera for a journalist—a very touching image," journalist Manh Nghinh recalled.

During their assignments in Truong Sa, every journalist felt they had matured. Working on the islands, facing complex weather conditions, rough seas, strong winds, seasickness, limited time, and many fascinating topics, despite the fatigue, everyone wanted to do as much as possible to bring Truong Sa closer and more vividly to the audience.

"Although it's hard work, compared to the difficulties and challenges that the soldiers and civilians on the island have to go through, it's nothing, so everyone shares the same thought: we must try even harder...", Mạnh Nghịnh shared.

It can be said that working in Truong Sa – the sacred sea and islands of our homeland – is always a source of pride for every journalist. In the future, many more reporters will continue to follow these ships, braving the waves to reach the forefront of the sea and wind. These journeys will produce many valuable journalistic works, bringing the spirit of our homeland's sea and islands closer to the mainland...

Hoang Anh

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/truong-sa-chuyen-tac-nghiep-hanh-phuc-post292220.html