Passing through Tri Ton - Lao Dong Newspaper

Tri Ton is one of the islands in Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago that is being illegally occupied by China. There are many stories about the deep affection of fishermen in the Central region for this island that the writer witnessed firsthand...

Captain Nguyen Van Thanh and his three sons took the ship to Hoang Sa sea.

Demonstrating sovereignty

At 6:15 p.m. on May 23, 2021, the ship, captained by Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh (60 years old), crossed the "hot coordinates". The navigation screen displayed the coordinates of Tri Ton Island, Hoang Sa archipelago under Vietnam's sovereignty.

The islands of Duy Mong, Huu Nhat, Quang Anh, and Da Loi in the Hoang Sa archipelago are located in a cluster that resembles a citadel. Tri Ton is closest to the shore, just over 100 nautical miles from Da Nang .

"Passing Tri Ton... Situation is stable!" - fisherman Nguyen Van Viet (Mr. Thanh's son) was at the helm, his eyes glanced to the left of the window, calling Icom to continuously notify the entire fleet of ships clinging to the Hoang Sa sea.

Normally, Mr. Thanh and his three sons go out to sea, but this time there were only two of them. Viet was steering, while Mr. Thanh kept his eyes on Tri Ton Island. At a distance of 10 nautical miles, everyone could only see giant white weather balloons, not the edge of the island.

Deep in Mr. Thanh's eyes was pride as he and his children and fishermen took the boat past Tri Ton Island to Hoang Sa. Mr. Thanh has 40 years of experience in the Hoang Sa sea, and the shadow of the reconnaissance aircraft has become familiar to him.

The story I am describing took place on a night diving boat of fishermen in Binh Chau commune, Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province. Fishermen going to Hoang Sa often pass Tri Ton island before reaching Nguyet Thiem cluster, and when returning they also follow this route.

I asked Viet: "Why do we have to approach Tri Ton Island on the voyage?". The answer was: "This particular island cannot be accessed for diving and fishing like all the other islands, so we just go close to demonstrate Vietnam's sovereignty."

According to fishermen, in recent years, ships from other countries and US warships have often passed Tri Ton Island at a distance of 12 nautical miles to demonstrate freedom of navigation (FONOP). Over the past 40 years, overcoming countless difficulties, fishermen from the central provinces have confidently set sail, passing through the sea areas considered the most thorny to reach the Hoang Sa archipelago. It is no longer a way to make a living but a demonstration of the sovereignty and love for the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Fisherman Nguyen Van Ly changes the national flag when the ship passes Tri Ton island

Deep into the blood and flesh

In June 2023, the IC-M710 long-range Icom mounted on many fishing boats at Sa Ky port received news that fishing boats were crossing Tri Ton island to demonstrate sovereignty over the sea and islands and freedom of movement. Amidst the noise, a captain's resolute voice rang out on the Icom: "Stay calm. This island belongs to Vietnam, we will resolutely hold on to it."

"Fishermen eat the waves and talk about the wind" - many people say so. But every time the ship passes Tri Ton island to go to Hoang Sa, the sense of sovereignty always rises in everyone's heart. They organize themselves into a tight formation, advancing and retreating - coming and going according to the news shared via Icom. For fishermen, solidarity at sea, together maintaining their livelihoods, and protecting Hoang Sa sovereignty is above all.

Captain Vo Luu, Truong Van Duc... from the fishing village of Binh Chau commune and some fishermen had an accident in Hoang Sa - their ship was sunk. After surviving, they built a new ship, then went back to Hoang Sa to cling to the sea. After the accident, they all became "sea wolves" in Hoang Sa. It was their love for the sea and islands - the flesh and blood of the Fatherland - that helped them overcome such dangers and difficulties!

Captain Nguyen Thanh Tien (from Tam Quang commune, Nui Thanh district, Quang Nam province) said that any fisherman fishing in Hoang Sa is aware of protecting sovereignty, looking forward to the day when they can freely fish and set foot on Tri Ton island.

According to Captain Tien, the best time to approach Tri Ton Island is when the weather is bad, visibility is limited, the sea is rough, and there are big waves and strong winds. At that time, the fishermen move their boats closer to Tri Ton Island, sometimes about 7 nautical miles away. This is the distance at which one can see clearly on the island.

One time, Captain Tien took advantage of the situation to bring the ship close to the island. Amidst the strong winds and waves, the ship was carrying dozens of tons of fish, the fishermen were happy because this was an opportunity to see the sacred island of the Fatherland. Some fishermen climbed onto the roof of the ship to check the national flag. They were moved and cried when they saw the national flag flying in the middle of the ocean.

The most touching moment for me when the ship passed Tri Ton Island on the afternoon of May 23, 2021 was when the satellite positioning showed the coordinates 15 degrees, 57 minutes, 706 seconds N-111 degrees 8 minutes, 25 seconds E, another son of Mr. Thanh, Mr. Nguyen Van Ly, climbed onto the roof of the ship to replace the national flag. The red flag was printed on the blue sky with the color of sunset. Everyone turned their eyes to the national flag, and after a long time, the ship passed Tri Ton Island.

Just like that, for many years, on the journey to Hoang Sa archipelago, Tri Ton island has always been present before the eyes and in the hearts of Vietnamese fishermen.

lLE VAN CHUONG Clip through Tri Ton Island 4th writing contest on inviolable national sovereignty

Every year-end, around Tri Ton island, there are a lot of mackerel, scad, and tuna. At this time, fishing boats of fishermen from Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Quang Ngai, Quang Nam provinces and Da Nang City gather here to fish. When the number of boats reaches thousands, fishermen no longer have to run and watch like the time I followed fisherman Nguyen Van Thanh's boat.

Also after that time, I had the opportunity to go through Tri Ton island when traveling with ships to Hoang Sa. Every time the ship passed the island, from the captain to the fellow passengers were all excited, looking forward to freely fishing in the sacred waters of the Fatherland.

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