It's difficult to fully express the emotions I felt when I was fortunate enough to visit Truong Sa, but overall, it was an overwhelming feeling of love and pride. And it was this homeland in the middle of the vast ocean that made me understand even more deeply the words of General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Political Bureau, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Minister of National Defense : "Those who go to Truong Sa and return will love their country much more."

Officers, soldiers, and people of Sinh Ton Island welcomed the delegation.

On the seven-day and seven-night sea voyage, despite having to cross hundreds of nautical miles and countless storms, Ship 571 never ceased singing and playing music. We "sang to drown out the sound of the waves," singing to make the journey to our beloved Truong Sa seem shorter.

Soldiers on Son Ca Island stand solemnly beside the sovereignty marker.

According to the initial plan, Task Force No. 3 was to visit, study, and work at 7 islands and the DK1/2 platform. In the first few days of the journey, the weather was calm and the sea was still. From the deck of Ship 571, looking out into the distance, I saw only a turquoise color; the sea and sky of my homeland were breathtakingly beautiful, as if I could only see them in a dream. At times, seagulls would soar high into the sky and then swoop down close to the white waves, creating a truly peaceful feeling.

From Sinh Ton, Nam Yet, Son Ca, Da Nam, Co Lin to Truong Sa Dong, the delegation was warmly welcomed by officers and soldiers, imbued with camaraderie and fellowship. The sight of the spreading banyan and sea almond trees; the well-organized barracks, banners, and slogans; the bright, green, clean, and beautiful environment; and the lush vegetable gardens… all evoked a feeling of familiarity and closeness. The only difference was the absence of the hustle and bustle of city life, traffic, and laughter found on the mainland; instead, there seemed to be only the gentle, sometimes roaring, sound of waves lapping against the rocky shore.

Lush green vegetable gardens in Truong Sa.

Despite living far from home and loved ones, and facing difficult and challenging training, living, and working conditions, everyone was enthusiastic and confident in carrying out their duties. Many hardships, though unspoken, were etched on the sun-weathered faces of the officers and soldiers.

It seemed that the mission of the third delegation would proceed smoothly. However, amidst the vast ocean, the weather changed rapidly and unpredictably. Just as Ship 571 weighed anchor and bid farewell to Co Lin, a strong wind arose. Rolling waves crashed against the sides of the ship, causing everything to shake violently. The portable loudspeaker of the Shock Troop's performing arts team drifted back and forth as if propelled by an invisible force. The most difficult situation was for the female soldiers; the bigger the waves, the more seasick they became. Many couldn't even eat, only daring to drink small sips of water to alleviate the nausea from the rough seas. Yet, when the Commander of the delegation asked, "Are you all strong enough to go up and visit the offshore platform?", they all unanimously shouted, "Yes!"

Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Thu Hien sang a song for the officers and soldiers of the DK1/2 platform via radio.

Early in the morning of May 27, 2025, Ship 571 dropped anchor in front of the DK1/2 platform. Previously, the delegation had been unable to reach Da Dong C Island due to bad weather, much to everyone's disappointment. Perhaps due to the anxious anticipation, before the command "All crew members wake up, wake up all crew members" was given, many comrades were already dressed in their best attire, even the women who suffered from seasickness were eager to go aboard the platform. I peeked through the window towards the platform, listening to the howling wind and the crashing waves, feeling restless and worried.

Around 8 a.m., the weather seemed to improve, and the advance team was ordered to depart. Watching the small CQ boat bob up and down with each wave, I felt overwhelmed by the majestic grandeur of the vast ocean. After about half an hour, the advance team returned. After hearing the report, to ensure the safety of the personnel and equipment, the commander decided not to conduct a visit to the platform. The team would instead encourage and sing for the officers and soldiers via radio. A feeling of disappointment welled up in my chest, difficult to describe; the clear eyes suddenly became sad, all looking towards the national flag fluttering in front of them, as if wanting to say something but unable to put it into words.

Sergeant Pham Minh Hieu performed the song "Steadfast in Truong Sa" over the radio.

After listening to the Commander's encouraging speech and the representative of the platform's leadership responding, Lieutenant Colonel Le Thi Thu Hien, a staff member of the Propaganda Department, Political Division, Military Medical Academy, was chosen by the Shock Troop's performing arts team to sing for the officers and soldiers. The atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Her eyes welled up, tears glistening and rolling down her cheeks as she sang the song "Truong Sa is So Close" by composer Hinh Phuoc Long in her clear, poignant voice: "Truong Sa is not far away / Still close to you because Truong Sa is always with me / Still close to me because Truong Sa is always with you." Each word, each phrase, carried a myriad of emotions, resonating deeply in everyone's hearts. The waves of the sea surged, and so did the waves of emotion in their hearts.

In response to that heartfelt sentiment, the officers and soldiers of the DK1/2 platform sang the song "Spring on the DK Platform" by composer Thap Nhat for the delegation: "Let the waves and storms be, we soldiers of the platform are there / Let the precariousness be, we soldiers of the platform are not afraid of storms." The song was also the voice of the people, representing the steadfastness, unwavering resolve, and steely courage of the soldiers of Uncle Ho's army; the optimistic and cheerful spirit, unafraid of difficulties and hardships, and ready to sacrifice to protect the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands.

Despite the lack of a grand stage or dazzling lights, the cultural performance in the cockpit, barely 15 square meters in size, was so wonderful and moving. The music blended with the applause, the sound of the waves, and the wind, all weaving together to create a beautiful picture. This was both a profound practical lesson for each member of the delegation and an invaluable spiritual gift from the mainland to the frontline of the Fatherland.

These are the fresh lyrics of the song "Steadfast March in Truong Sa," conceived and created by Sergeant Nguyen Minh Hieu, a student of Battalion 8, Political Officer Training School, during his voyage to Truong Sa and the DK1 platform. It was sung as a farewell greeting from the delegation to the officers and soldiers stationed at this remote location.

A smile sent back to Truong Sa.

Ship 571 circled the platform three times, and as the three long whistles ended, the waving hands drifted further and further away. Though there were so many things left unsaid and so much lingering affection, all that could be left behind was carried away by the sound of the waves.

In contrast to the spirited atmosphere of the days when the ship braved the waves to sail the open sea, the atmosphere on the journey back to the mainland seemed to stand still; everyone was quiet and thoughtful. The islands and the offshore platforms had disappeared from view, but their hearts remained. Memories of a majestic Truong Sa; of the heroic, resilient, and indomitable officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy; of the DK1 offshore platform standing firm against storms and tempests… will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of each member of the delegation.

The closing ceremony of the Trường Sa - DK1 mission was held in a very special way, not in a hall as usual, but right in the middle of the vast ocean. During the ceremony, I was deeply moved and impressed by the poem "Trường Sa - Loving Our Homeland Even More" by Sergeant Do Thanh Phat, a student of Battalion 12, Political Officer Training School – a representative work in the essay contest about Trường Sa and the DK1 platform organized by the mission, especially the last two lines: "Whoever goes to Trường Sa and returns/Will love their homeland much more."

The most valuable things we gained from this trip were our patriotism, our love for the sea and islands of our homeland; our profound gratitude to the generations of ancestors who sacrificed themselves to protect the sacred sovereignty of our nation; and our respect and affection for the officers, soldiers, and people who are silently, diligently, unitedly, and closely working together to successfully fulfill the great President Ho Chi Minh's instruction: "In the past, we only had night and forests. Today, we have day, sky, and sea. Our coastline is long and beautiful; we must know how to preserve it!"

Just like countless waves crashing against the shore and then chasing each other towards the distant horizon, millions of Vietnamese hearts always turn towards that place – where people have sacrificed their youth to firmly protect every inch of land and sea of ​​the Fatherland.

VU VAN QUOC

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/gui-theo-tieng-song-842355