Days spent adrift on the waves, without phones or social media, just the sun, wind, sunrises, sunsets of the islands, and days filled with laughter and voices during meaningful group activities, and regular, warm meals shared between soldiers and civilians…
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| Delegates pose for a photo with soldiers during their visit to the island. (Photo: Vu An) |
I was fortunate enough to receive a "ticket to board" the Task Force No. 9 led by Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Navy – Head of the Task Force, to visit the military and people of Truong Sa island district and the DK1 platform on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland in mid-April.
That was also the first time I set foot on a large fisheries patrol vessel like the KN-491 for a week-long voyage at sea.
The initial feelings of nervousness and anxiety from the first trip to Truong Sa were suddenly dispelled by the friendly atmosphere of the fellow travelers, the warm affection of the delegation leader and the leaders of the participating localities and units, and the meticulous and dedicated preparation of Captain Nguyen Van Tuyen and the officers and soldiers of Region 4, the Fisheries Inspection Detachment, and other naval forces for the delegation.
Days of "living differently"
After three resounding whistles at Cam Ranh port, the KN-491 ship left the mainland, setting sail to begin its voyage. Like most members of the delegation, this was the first time Mr. Ha Son Nhin, former Central Committee member and former Secretary of the Gia Lai Provincial Party Committee, had visited Truong Sa. The emotion, excitement, and pride of this retired official, now 70 years old, were also the shared feelings of most of us.
I remember on the day of departure, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong told us: "By participating in this journey, you will live very special days, have experiences very different from your daily lives, and receive new and positive energy..."
Indeed, the seven days on board were a journey of "living differently," filled with a full range of emotions, allowing us to temporarily forget our daily lives and dedicate our full affection and attention to the sea and islands of our homeland.
My fellow passenger on the ship confided, "On this ship, there's only joy. Everyone is equal; there are no longer any ranks, positions, professions, or signs of age. It's been a long time since I've laughed and talked so much, shared a room with so many people, eaten meals regularly and on time, and even had white rice for breakfast."
The trips to the islands sometimes lasted a whole day, but the schedule on the ship was never boring, always filled with group activities and competitions themed "Unity, camaraderie, meritorious service, victory," including cultural and artistic exchanges, quizzes about the sea and islands, art competitions on the theme "The Sea, Islands and the Naval Soldier," chess competitions, fabric flower arranging competitions, and collective birthday celebrations. The joyful, enthusiastic, and spirited atmosphere of the teams connected and enhanced mutual understanding among the members of the delegation from all over the country.
To further strengthen the bond between the military and the civilian population, the female delegates of the working group always provided timely support and regularly assisted the kitchen staff and logistics team on board. Although unfamiliar with the rough seas, the timely support from the delegates was a source of encouragement for the team to continue to successfully complete their mission.
Surprise and admiration
During this voyage, the delegation visited seven islands including Da Thi, Sinh Ton, Co Lin, Nui Le B, Toc Tan C, Da Tay A, Truong Sa, and the DK1/19 Que Duong platform.
Having directly witnessed life on the islands and experienced the harsh conditions of Truong Sa, most people have gained a deeper understanding of the immense sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering will of the officers, soldiers, and people on the archipelago. This further strengthens their faith in the Party, the State, and our army, and reaffirms their love for the sea and islands of their homeland.
In particular, when visiting Truong Sa Island, everyone is surprised and moved to witness the island, considered the "capital of Truong Sa district," changing day by day, becoming more spacious and beautiful.
Defense facilities combined with civilian services such as airports, docks, television and satellite telephone transmission stations, meteorological and hydrological stations, lighthouses, the Capital Guest House, Truong Sa Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Memorial Church, the Monument to the Heroes and Martyrs, clean energy systems, clinics, etc., have been built, improving the lives of soldiers and civilians on the islands and contributing to the successful implementation of the Party and State's socio -economic development program in the sea and island regions.
Upon first seeing the islands, Ngo Duc Hai from Kon Tum province was overwhelmed with emotion, summed up in two words: "admiration." He kept wondering, "How, given the difficult conditions of the past, did our ancestors manage to venture out to sea to discover and protect these islands?" He believes this is a tremendous achievement that future generations must remember and be deeply grateful for.
Mr. Hai shared: “Most people in Kon Tum are only familiar with vast forests and majestic mountains. The concept of islands and the sea is quite unfamiliar. Through this trip, with my feelings, firsthand observations, and the responsibility of a propaganda officer, I will definitely bring the image of the islands and the lives of the officers and soldiers on the islands to the people of Kon Tum.”
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| The delegation bids farewell to the officers and soldiers on the island. (Photo: Vu An) |
"The island is our home, the sea is our homeland."
That's the slogan the delegation could see at every island and platform they visited, like a deeply ingrained motto in the hearts of the officers and soldiers stationed in these remote, windswept locations.
Having interacted with them on numerous occasions, we have always felt that the officers and soldiers on the island cannot forget the heroic sacrifice of the 64 naval officers and soldiers at the Gac Ma Island incident in 1988, and they are deeply imbued with the awareness of protecting and preserving the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands.
In a conversation with us, Lieutenant Phan Van Dat – an information officer on Nui Le B Island – said that he has been serving on the island for over 60 months. However, if the unit still needs him, the young soldier will continue to volunteer to perform duties on this submerged island, which still faces many difficulties and shortages.
It's not just the feelings of the naval soldiers; each delegate who visits Truong Sa has their own unique emotions for their homeland's islands and seas.
On the journey from the DK 1/19 Que Duong offshore platform back to the mainland, Associate Professor, Doctor, and painter Do Le Hong Tu, President of the Vietnam Film Association, managed to record his notes in verse: “This afternoon at sea, my heart feels heavy. Tears well up from the incense smoke, my heart is filled with remembrance. Sixty-four martyrs defended Gac Ma. I tried so hard to hold back the tears. I released hundreds of cranes to drift to the endless sea. In the late afternoon, the clouds are full of water, glistening with tears. People from all directions gather together. The sacred souls seem to understand the hearts of men.”
During this trip, Mr. Le Ba Hoa, who works at the representative office of the Vietnam Industrial and Commercial Bank in Da Nang, "exported his feelings into poetry," pouring his heart into writings about Truong Sa that could be published as a whole volume. Delegate Hoang Tho, Deputy Chief of the Office of the Vietnam Investment and Development Bank, also transformed into a poet with deeply moving sentiments:
The sacred territory has stirred the soul.
Eight destinations – a wonderful cruise
It resonated in the hearts of the 194 delegates.
The profound meaning of the word "homeland"
Thanks to the builders of these roads.
Bringing the islands and seas closer to the motherland.
Give us strong belief.
The land of Vietnam is sacred, its seas and islands endure forever.
Every journey has a beginning and an end, encounters and farewells, but surely each of us, even after returning to our daily lives, will never forget the impressions of that special trip, and will better understand President Ho Chi Minh's teaching: "In the past, we only had night and forests. Today, we have day, sky, and sea. Our coastline is long and beautiful; we must preserve it."
