Life of soldiers and civilians in Truong Sa through photos.

The 99 photographs represent 99 stories, capturing the emotions of 10 photographers from the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association during their recent trip to the Truong Sa archipelago.

Nguyên Phó chủ tịch nước Trương Mỹ Hoa và Phó chủ tịch Hội Nhiếp ảnh TP.HCM Nguyễn Hồng Nga (bìa trái) tại triển lãm ảnh Yêu lắm Trường Sa ơi - Ảnh: HOÀI PHƯƠNG — Former Vice President Truong My Hoa and Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association Nguyen Hong Nga (far left) at the photo exhibition "We Love Truong Sa So Much" - Photo: HOAI PHUONG

On the morning of August 2nd, the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association held the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition "We Love Truong Sa So Much " at the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street.

This is one of the activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Navy's first victory (August 5, 1964 - August 5, 2024).

99 stories about the Spratly Islands

The exhibition features 99 works by 10 photographers from the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association, taken during their trip to visit soldiers in Truong Sa from April to June 2024.

The 10 photographers whose photos are on display this time are: Nguyen Truong Sinh, Truong Quoc Trung, Pho Thi Thanh Hang, Thach Minh Le, Nguyen Tan Nghia, Nguyen Tien Quang, Than Van Hai, Dang Mi Ro, Dang Thi Kim Phuong, and Huynh Pham Anh Dung.

Photographer Nguyen Truong Sinh shared that he was very happy and delighted to participate in the trip to Truong Sa.

Initially, he was worried about not being healthy enough to participate in the journey, but luckily everything went smoothly, leaving him with many unforgettable memories.

Photographer Than Van Hai is one of the oldest members. This year, he is 75 years old. "I am very excited to come to Truong Sa for the first time and to capture the activities of the soldiers and people of Truong Sa. The Truong Sa archipelago is sacred in the heart of every Vietnamese person."

"Photographers have a responsibility to bring these images to a wider audience, showing the vitality of Truong Sa and the pride of the Vietnamese people in their islands and seas. If I have the opportunity to go again, I will do so," Mr. Than Van Hai told Tuoi Tre Online .

During this trip, Mr. Than Van Hai also composed 7 poems.

Cuộc sống quân và dân Trường Sa qua ảnh- Ảnh 2. — *Photographer Than Van Hai next to his work - Photo: HOAI PHUONG*

Cuộc sống quân và dân Trường Sa qua ảnh- Ảnh 3. — *Naval officers visit a photo exhibition about the Spratly Islands - Photo: HOAI PHUONG*

Helping people understand more about Navy soldiers.

The photos celebrate the beauty of Truong Sa Island, the DK1 platform, and the image of the soldiers and civilians steadfastly defending the homeland's seas and islands.

These glimpses into the daily lives of soldiers and civilians on the island evoke feelings of nostalgia and emotion in many who have visited Truong Sa, bringing back a flood of memories.

Mr. Doan Hoai Trung, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association, informed that the Association has recently sent more than 30 photographers to accompany delegations to Truong Sa and the DK1 platform. During the recent Tet holiday, photographers Nguyen Manh Hung, Giang Son Dong, and Nguyen Van Phung joined the delegation to extend New Year greetings, and after returning, they organized the "Spring Colors of Truong Sa" exhibition.

The Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association also organized a photo exhibition titled "Towards Truong Sa and Beloved Offshore Platforms" for 15 photographers, in commemoration of the 99th anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day.

This photo collection will be exhibited in Binh Chanh from June 6-8 as part of the "Sea and Islands" program.

Attending the exhibition, Lieutenant Colonel Le Hong Quang - Deputy Political Commissar of the 125th Naval Brigade - expressed his hope that after the "We Love Truong Sa So Much" photo exhibition at the City Book Street concludes, the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association will hold photo exhibitions in districts, counties, Thu Duc City, universities, export processing zones and industrial parks, to spread awareness among the people about the lives of soldiers and civilians on Truong Sa Island and the DK1 platform.