Amidst the vast ocean, spring remains warm.

In the final days of the year, Brigade 125 of the 2nd Naval Region is bustling with the atmosphere of an early Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration. While the mainland is already filled with the colors of spring, at the naval port, on the ships guarding the nation's seas and skies day and night, spring also quietly knocks on the door with the blossoms of peach and apricot trees and the joyful laughter of officers and soldiers.

A view of the spring festival reception room on ship 935, Squadron 811.

In the chilly weather leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the Brigade's Youth Union launched the "Spring Welcome Room" competition – an annual activity deeply rooted in military culture. From early morning, the common rooms on the ships – the Ho Chi Minh Rooms in the naval squadrons – resonated with lively laughter and chatter. Some cleaned the barracks and tidied up the interior; others carefully bent peach blossom branches and trimmed apricot blossoms; skillful hands meticulously hung portraits of President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, pasted Party and national flags, cut paper flowers, and decorated the bulletin board.

Every corner of the room was meticulously decorated, from the reception desk, bookshelves, beds, and wardrobes to the fruit platter and red couplets. The originally solemn and formal space of the barracks now exuded a warm spring atmosphere, while still maintaining the order and discipline characteristic of naval soldiers.

Preparing the feast for Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

This year's competition was conducted with clear criteria: orderliness, neatness, cleanliness; harmonious and creative decoration; and showcasing the identity of the naval soldiers of the 2nd Naval Region. Each room ensured compliance with internal regulations while also having its own unique features related to the specific tasks of each ship and squadron. Through this, the competition not only beautified the unit's landscape but also contributed to maintaining strict discipline, building a healthy cultural environment, and creating a vibrant competitive spirit leading up to the new year.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Minh Duong, Deputy Head of Political Affairs and Secretary of the Youth Union of Brigade 125, said: “From the end of January, the Party Committee and Command of the Brigade issued a plan and assigned specific tasks to each agency and unit. We determined that the 'Spring Welcome Room' contest is not simply a decorative activity but an important part of Party and political work at the end of the year. Through the contest, we aim to educate on traditions, raise political awareness, build a sense of discipline, solidarity, and responsibility among officers, union members, and young people. The organization process was thorough, followed the correct direction, was economical, but still created a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere.”

The soldiers skillfully decorated the apricot blossom tree to welcome the spring.

Integrating propaganda content about the task of protecting maritime sovereignty and islands, and about the heroic traditions of the unit into each decorative element, has helped officers and soldiers "enjoy the spring without forgetting their duties," strengthening their faith, enhancing their political fortitude, and resolutely fulfilling all assigned tasks.

A highlight of this year's competition was the creative display deeply rooted in the theme of the sea and islands. Some rooms recreated the image of a ship proudly sailing the open sea amidst stormy waves; others featured a map of the homeland with the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos prominently displayed; and the image of the majestic DK1 platform against a backdrop of vibrant spring colors was particularly striking.

The meticulously presented wall newspapers featured numerous articles praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, the homeland, and the glorious traditions of the unit. Slogans celebrating the Party, the Lunar New Year, and the determination to excellently fulfill assigned tasks were neatly displayed, creating an atmosphere that was both warm and sacred.

Springtime reception room.

For young soldiers celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) for the first time in the military, the competition holds even more special significance. Corporal Nguyen Minh Khoa, a naval soldier on ship 996, Squadron 3, shared: “Celebrating Tet away from home for the first time, I felt a little wistful. But when I decorated the room with my comrades, wrapped cakes, and practiced for the New Year's Eve performance, I felt like the ship was my second home. Although I'm away from my family, the camaraderie among my fellow soldiers makes me stronger and proud to be performing my duties in the sea and on the islands.”

Beyond just the traditional New Year's celebrations, the festive atmosphere at the Brigade will continue with a series of fun and social activities on New Year's Eve and the first few days of the new year. On the 30th night of the lunar year, a series of activities titled "Celebrating the Party - Celebrating Spring" will be held, including a democratic flower-picking activity, creating a beneficial playground for officers and soldiers. Questions about the unit's traditions, knowledge of maritime affairs, regulations, laws, and New Year's customs will be cleverly integrated, adding to the joy while contributing to strengthening the awareness and political fortitude of the troops.

Maintain strict armed guard duty.

In addition, during the early days of Spring, the unit will organize outdoor sports and games such as tug-of-war, sack racing, stick pushing, etc., to create a lively atmosphere, strengthen camaraderie, and further motivate officers and soldiers to enter the new year with enthusiasm and high determination.

Through these activities, the pioneering and creative role of young people continues to be promoted; the unit's landscape becomes increasingly bright, green, clean, and beautiful; and the soldiers' spiritual life is enhanced. More importantly, this is an opportunity for the entire Brigade to consolidate its determination, create a vibrant atmosphere of emulation, and be ready to enter the new year with a spirit of initiative, unity, discipline, and high responsibility.

The new spring is arriving on the ships anchored in the naval port. In each spacious and cozy room, the colors of spring blend with the soldiers' uniforms. Through these simple yet heartfelt actions, the courage, willpower, and solidarity of the naval soldiers of Brigade 125 continue to be nurtured—ready to steer the ship with steady hands, hold their weapons firmly, and steadfastly protect the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands.

NINH CO - THE DAI

Source: https://nhandan.vn/giua-trung-khoi-xuan-van-am-post943424.html