Journey to the place where 'stone islands turn into frontiers'

(Chinhphu.vn) - Truong Sa - a symbol of the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, is a place that nurtures patriotism, strong will and love for the homeland in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. A visit to Truong Sa is not simply a journey through storms, but also a "pilgrimage" of spirit, emotion and national pride.

Working delegation of the Government Office at Cam Ranh port, Khanh Hoa province - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

During the month of May, a delegation of 27 officials from the Government Office, led by Mr. Nguyen Minh Khanh, Director of the Department of Internal Affairs, visited the Truong Sa archipelago and DK1 Platform. Also participating in the trip were about 190 delegates from the Central Propaganda and Education Commission, Hoa Binh province, Lao Cai province and a number of other organizations.

This is not just a business trip, but also a journey of the heart, of gratitude and steadfast faith in those who are guarding the sacred sea and sky of the country day and night.

The ship leaves the dock, starting its journey to Truong Sa - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Carrying love from the mainland

On the morning of May 20, as the sun was just rising, the fishing control ship numbered KN-491, led by Colonel Le Van Huong, Deputy Chief of Political Affairs of the Navy, as head of working group number 24, left Cam Ranh port (Khanh Hoa province), beginning a 7-day voyage to Truong Sa.

The sea in May is clear, calm, and sparkling with golden sunlight. The waves gently lap against the ship's side, creating a gentle murmuring sound amidst the vast expanse of sky and water. But behind that beauty, there are countless challenges. "Only island soldiers understand that the sea can change at any time. Therefore, even though we are familiar with the sea, we always remind each other: never be subjective," a navy soldier shared.

The KN-491 ship is over 90.5m long and 40m wide; it is one of the most modern fisheries surveillance ships of the Vietnam People's Navy - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

On the ship, the atmosphere was initially somewhat excited and eager. Stories about the sea and islands, about the navy soldiers, about the children who are day and night protecting the sea and sky of the Fatherland were told with emotion.

Although many people were at sea for the first time, suffering from seasickness and fatigue, no one complained. Because in each person's heart, there was a special feeling: the sacred honor of setting foot on beloved Truong Sa.

Soldiers of Song Tu Tay island welcome the delegation to visit the island - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Setting foot on the islands, emotions surge

The first stop of the delegation was Song Tu Tay Island - one of the largest islands with a particularly important strategic position in the East Sea.

As soon as the ship docked, a long line of navy soldiers in full uniform solemnly welcomed the delegation. Tight handshakes and bright eyes filled with love between the army and the people created an emotional scene.

Song Tu Tay Pagoda faces the East Sea, surrounded by waves. In the pagoda grounds, in addition to the banyan and bodhi trees that represent Vietnamese pagodas, there are also wind-blocking maple trees and square-leafed banyan trees with sheltering canopies - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Currently, on Song Tu Tay Island there are many important constructions such as: Hydrometeorological station, lighthouse, Song Tu Tay pagoda, school, medical station, telecommunication tower..., not only serving life but also clearly demonstrating Vietnam's undeniable sovereignty over this sacred sea.

Rows of square-leafed banyan trees cover the island in a cool green coat - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

With an area of ​​about 12 hectares, the island is covered with rows of casuarinas and banyan trees - symbols of the strong vitality and indomitable will of the people and army here. Song Tu Tay is not only a solid "fence" of the Fatherland, but also a solid support for fishermen to confidently stick to the sea and catch seafood. Life on the island is increasingly improved, strongly affirming the peaceful presence and sustainable development of Vietnam on the homeland's sea and islands. Song Tu Tay is forever a shining symbol of patriotism, the spirit of protecting sovereignty and the indomitable will in the middle of the Fatherland's open sea.

The flag-raising ceremony was solemnly held on Song Tu Tay Island - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Leaving Song Tu Tay, the delegation continued their journey to Truong Sa Lon Island - considered the "Capital" of Truong Sa archipelago. Standing in front of the sacred sovereignty milestone on the island, the atmosphere seemed to slow down, all sounds quieted down, giving way to feelings of pride mixed with surging emotions.

A member of the delegation emotionally shared: "I have heard a lot about Truong Sa, but only today, when standing on this island, did I truly understand the sacred meaning of the two words - Truong Sa."

Sovereignty markers - sacred symbols on Truong Sa archipelago - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Immortal song

One of the most sacred and emotional moments during the working trip was the Memorial Ceremony for the heroic martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland.

When the ship stopped in the middle of the vast ocean at the islands of Co Lin, Len Dao and Gac Ma, the entire working group stood silently and solemnly on the deck. In that sacred space, each incense stick was lit with all sincerity, the wreath of remembrance was released into the waves, carrying with it the infinite gratitude sent to the children who had fallen in the middle of the ocean.

Memorial ceremony for heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting sea and island sovereignty - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

The memorial trumpet sounded slowly, each note of the music seemed to penetrate deep into people's hearts, reminding them of the sacrifices of the navy soldiers of the past. "In 1988, 64 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy heroically sacrificed their lives to protect the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands, forever remaining here. These are 64 immortal flowers amidst the sea and sky of the beloved Truong Sa" - the emotional speech of Colonel Le Van Huong, Deputy Chief of Navy Politics, was like a word engraved in the heart of everyone present.

Ceremony of releasing wreaths into the sea to pay tribute to heroic martyrs - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Truong Sa - is not only the name of an archipelago, but also a symbol of the will and spirit of Vietnam. It is the place where the mainland entrusts many hearts and aspirations. It is the place where "each island is an immortal fortress", where "stone islands become frontiers".

Closing the journey – opening new beliefs

During the 7 days and nights at sea with a total voyage of nearly 1,000 nautical miles, the delegation also visited and worked at the DK1/16 (Phuc Tan) platform and the islands: Len Dao, Da Thi, Sinh Ton, Da Tay B, Co Lin. This is an annual activity, aiming to inspect, encourage, share, and also an opportunity to better understand the difficulties and hardships of the soldiers who are on duty day and night to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Comrade Nguyen Minh Khanh, Director of the Department of Internal Affairs and Comrade Le Thanh Van, Director of the Department of Enterprise Innovation, Government Office, presented gifts from the Government Office delegation to officers and soldiers on Len Dao island - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

At the destinations, the Government Office delegation brought many meaningful gifts with a total value of about 900 million VND along with warm greetings to the soldiers and people at the forefront.

Comrade Huynh Thanh Dat, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Commission and members of the working delegation presented gifts to households living on Truong Sa Island - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

The day we said goodbye to Truong Sa, it was raining lightly. Hurried hugs, lingering eyes, and waving hands from both sides seemed to hold on to emotions. On the ship returning to the mainland, the atmosphere was calm. Each person carried in their hearts unforgettable memories.

The trip not only left beautiful images and touching stories, but also a silent message: show your love for the sea and islands through practical actions - from the smallest things. Be an ambassador to bring Truong Sa back to the mainland, so that every Vietnamese person, wherever they are, always turns towards the sacred flesh and blood of the Fatherland.

Truong Sa - an immortal symbol in the middle of the ocean, still stands silently and steadfastly every day like a wordless epic about the courage and indomitable will of the Vietnamese people.

Son Hao

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/hanh-trinh-ve-noi-dao-da-hoa-bien-cuong-102250526084307018.htm