Doi Moi: Protecting the island amidst "three no's" (no maritime pollution, no natural disasters, no national security, no national security).

No electricity, no fresh water, unreliable phone signal… yet, the border guards have overcome the most extreme difficulties at Doi Moi Hill – a place likened to the "Truong Sa of the Southwest Sea" – to safeguard the sovereignty of the Fatherland.

The Standing Committee of the Tien Hai Commune Party Committee and the Tien Hai Border Guard Station presented gifts to the Doi Moi Border Control Station.

The story inspires a trip.

Many years ago, Colonel Doan Dinh Tranh - Deputy Political Commissar of the Border Guard Command of Kien Giang province, now the Border Guard Command of An Giang province - told me about the border control station on Doi Moi Island in the Hai Tac archipelago, Tien Hai island commune, in a low but haunting voice.

He recounted the nights the island was shrouded in darkness. No electricity, intermittent phone signal, only the sound of the sea breeze whistling through the corrugated iron roof and waves crashing against the rocks. In that tranquil space, the soldier stood guard, his eyes fixed on the distant sea.

"There, the hardship wasn't just the lack of supplies, but the prolonged loneliness. But the soldiers persevered, because behind them was their homeland," he said.

That story inspired me to visit Doi Moi (Turtle Hill) to better understand the resilience of the soldiers stationed at the forefront of the waves.

The stories of the soldiers at the Doi Moi Border Guard Post are simple, yet full of resilience amidst the remote island.

A place where "three no's" test your willpower.

Reaching the Doi Moi Border Guard Checkpoint ( thuộc Tien Hai Border Guard Station, An Giang Provincial Border Guard Command) is a challenging journey.

It took us nearly two hours by fishing boat from the center of Tien Hai commune to reach Doi Moi Island. However, the boat couldn't dock, so passengers had to get onto small styrofoam or composite rafts and swim nearly 150 meters to reach the island.

A view of Doi Moi Island.

Life on the island is a series of hardships. There's no electricity; the Doi Moi Border Guard Post only has a few solar panels providing weak lighting. There's no fresh water; the soldiers have to stockpile it during the rainy season, every drop precious. There are no fixed means of transportation; all journeys depend on fishing boats.

Rainwater harvesting equipment at the Doi Moi Border Guard Station.

Food supplies arrive once a month, which the border guards rely on fishing boats to buy for them. Without refrigerators, they can't preserve food for long, so their meals often depend on fish, shellfish, and squid caught around the island. Without gas, everything is cooked using wood-burning stoves gathered on the island.

Seasonal hardships

At Doi Moi, the difficulties stem not only from a lack of resources but also from the changing seasons of the sea.

During the rainy and stormy season at the end of the year, the waves are fierce. The island becomes a safe haven for fishing boats. Each boat tries to anchor according to the wind direction, sometimes several boats huddle together near the island to avoid the big waves. At such times, the soldiers not only perform their duties but also assist the fishermen, ensuring they can safely take shelter from the storm.

Due to the influence of sea spray and the lack of fresh water, border guards find it very difficult to grow green vegetables on Doi Moi Island.

But the dry season is the harshest time. The sun lasts a long time, freshwater dries up, and all activities must be done sparingly. Green vegetables are difficult to grow, plants easily die from the salinity, and life becomes even more challenging.

Major Nguyen Van Quang, Head of the Doi Moi Border Guard Station, smiled kindly when talking about life here: "The hardest part is the dry season when there's a water shortage. The soldiers have to bathe and wash with seawater, then rinse with fresh water. It was very uncomfortable at first. But gradually, the men got used to it. Everyone gives way a little, saves a little, so it's still manageable."

Amidst these hardships, the story of Senior Lieutenant Danh Thanh Tam, a professional soldier and station staff member, evokes a sense of poignancy in listeners.

His child is only 3 years old, but he only comes home on leave once a year. On the other "quick trips," he has to wait for fishing boats or seafood purchasing vessels to pass by before he can hitch a ride to Tien Hai Island or back to Ha Tien, then take a bus home.

“It’s not always possible to go; it has to be on the right flight. Sometimes, when my child is sick, my family lets me know, and all I can do is wait…,” he said, then smiled gently. That smile was simple, but enough to show the unwavering resolve of a soldier on the front lines.

The evening meal by the wood-fired stove of the soldiers at the Doi Moi Border Control Station.

Silently guarding the island.

As evening fell, the island of Honolulu became even quieter. In front of the small outpost, the soldiers gathered around the wood-burning stove. Some lit the fire, others prepared the fish, and still others washed the rice. Smoke rose from the stove, mingling with the sea breeze.

Major Quang, while flipping a fish, said jokingly, "We're very versatile here; we're soldiers, fishermen, and chefs all at once." Laughter echoed in the quiet space.

As night fell, the island was almost completely shrouded in darkness. Only small lights and flickering fires remained. In the distance, fishing boats shone like stars in the sea. The meal was simple, but filled with the warmth of camaraderie.

Despite the hardships of being on a remote island, the border guards still successfully complete all their tasks.

Despite the hardships of life, the soldiers here never take on a lighter burden. They protect the land and islands, inspect and control ships, prevent violations, participate in search and rescue operations, and assist fishermen at sea.

Lieutenant Tâm shared: “It’s tough here, but it’s fun. Every time we help the locals or do a good job, we feel a great sense of purpose.”

Doi Moi Island – a small island in the southwestern sea, where the "three no's" (no national security, no national defense, no national defense) are clearly evident. But above all, it is the will and determination of the soldiers that prevail. They defend the island not only with a sense of responsibility, but also with sharing, with smiles, and with faith: Even in the most remote places, the homeland is always very close.

HOANG THU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/doi-moi-giu-dao-giua-ba-khong--a482421.html