- It was an honor to work in the Spratly Islands.
- The boatman at the forefront of the Truong Sa Islands
- Heading towards Truong Sa
Farewell ceremony for Delegation No. 8 visiting soldiers on duty on Truong Sa Island and DK 1/16 platform at Cam Ranh Naval Port, Khanh Hoa province, April 2026. Photo: LE NGUYEN
Journalist and photographer Le Nguyen, formerly the Editor-in-Chief of Dat Mui Photo Newspaper, has dedicated his entire career to the agency. Many years ago, he was one of the first journalists from Ca Mau province to accompany a delegation of provincial officials on a trip to Truong Sa ( Spratly Islands) organized by the 5th Naval Region Command in coordination with local authorities. As a veteran photographer at Dat Mui Photo Newspaper, respected by colleagues nationwide, he has traveled extensively to the seas and islands of his homeland, Ca Mau, as well as other provinces and cities. However, trips to Truong Sa always evoke a very different emotion in him.
“I had the honor of visiting Truong Sa for the first time in 2009. Seeing with my own eyes the vast and beautiful seascape of this sacred archipelago in the middle of the ocean, and the vibrant life on Truong Sa Island, I felt deeply moved and proud. Although I have worked on many islands throughout the country, Truong Sa holds a strange allure for me; no matter how many angles I photograph, it never feels enough,” he recounted.
Song Tu Tay Island, Truong Sa Special Zone, Khanh Hoa Province. Photo: LE NGUYEN
DK 1/16 (Phuc Tan) offshore platform. Photo: LE NGUYEN
It wasn't just a one-time trip; whenever he had the opportunity to participate, he proactively arranged his busy work schedule to join the delegation to the islands. Leveraging his prestige as the head of the photojournalism agency, he also used his connections to secure "trips" for his colleagues, especially young reporters, so that everyone could experience Truong Sa "once in a lifetime."
To date, he has visited almost all the submerged and above-water islands in Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago. With each trip, journalist and photographer Le Nguyen adds to his valuable "treasure trove" of photographs taken in Truong Sa, capturing the beauty and sacred sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands in the East Sea, as well as the work and lives of naval soldiers at the forefront of the waves. Although each voyage is long, and the delegation visits familiar islands, his lens is free to create and capture every moment of Truong Sa. Yet, he never feels it's enough, and each time the ship bids farewell to the distant islands to return to the mainland, he feels nostalgic and longs to visit again.
Flag-raising ceremony on Truong Sa Island. Photo: LE NGUYEN
Meeting him after his tenth trip back, and asking if he was satisfied with his work in Truong Sa, he smiled and said, "It's still not quite to my liking." One might think this reflects the meticulousness and dedication of an artist who is always responsible for his lens, striving for perfection in his photographic work. However, those who know him well understand that it's simply his love for Truong Sa. Because the scenery of Truong Sa, no matter how many times he visits, remains beautiful in the golden sunlight, the color of the ocean water against the deep blue sky, making it easy for a photographer like him to create valuable works. As he confided, even though he's captured the same moments countless times – images of resilient naval soldiers on duty at the forefront, firmly holding their weapons to protect the sovereignty of the islands, or the simple, peaceful life of the people on the islands – each time is a fresh and different experience, reflecting the vibrant life of Truong Sa proudly asserting the sovereignty of the Fatherland.
“Life here isn't as vibrant or fast-changing as on the mainland, yet every time I visit Truong Sa, I feel a new rhythm of life. It could be the sturdy, weathered trees growing stronger; the innocent Truong Sa children growing up surrounded by the love of their families and the soldiers; the clear sounds of children studying and the radiant faces of students playing in the schools on the archipelago; the serene sound of temple bells, imbued with the soul of national culture, a peaceful spiritual anchor amidst the vast ocean… All these simple things evoke indescribable emotions in me,” he shared.
Pagoda on Son Ca Island. Photo: LE NGUYEN
Not only does journalist and photographer Le Nguyen create works filled with love for the sea and islands, but he also loves the atmosphere and rhythm of life in the Truong Sa archipelago. Therefore, for him, each trip is like returning to a familiar place, setting foot on beloved islands, immersing himself in the sunshine and wind of Truong Sa, and in the simple, warm daily life of the naval soldiers... "Each trip is a memory I will never forget," he confided.
This commemorative photo, taken by photographer Lê Nguyễn, captures a moment when a naval soldier cut his hair during a trip to Trường Sa (Spratly Islands). Photo: VÕ VIỆT
Having retired at the end of 2020 and left his job at a media agency, journalist and photographer Le Nguyen did not rest. He was trusted and elected to the position of Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, 9th term (2020-2025). In his new position, he travels far from home more often, and has been invited many times to join delegations from the mainland to visit Truong Sa, during the calm April seas or the stormy season at the end of the year, to bring the spirit of spring to the islands.
Each time he travels, he shares information within his small group of close friends and colleagues. We admire him greatly. Not only because he has many valuable opportunities, but also because of his enduring love for Truong Sa, as well as the resilience of this 65-year-old veteran artist, as the long sea voyages to the islands are also a "test" of his ability to withstand seasickness. For journalist and photographer Le Nguyen, Truong Sa is not just a destination for photography, but a place he always longs to visit. Therefore, he "enjoys" the entire sea voyage to the islands. The souvenir photos of him and his colleagues sharing meals amidst the waves; the impromptu musical performances in the cabin on the ship, the sounds of music and singing harmonizing with the rocking waves; the relaxing moments on the deck; or simply a photo of his boarding pass... all are carefully preserved, as part of his own "Truong Sa diary."
Journalist and photographer Le Nguyen is jokingly called "the master of Truong Sa" by many of his colleagues because of his resilience in the waves throughout the sea voyage. Photo: LE DINH HUY
Sharing his thoughts on his 10 trips to Truong Sa, journalist and photographer Le Nguyen sincerely stated that this is the greatest honor and happiness in his life as a photographer. Using the valuable materials gathered from each trip, he is now embarking on a long-held project: organizing an exhibition and publishing a photo book about Truong Sa.
“I am currently editing and preparing for a photo exhibition and photo book about Truong Sa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Association (Journalist and photographer Le Nguyen joined the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists in 1987 - PV) , which is expected to be released on the occasion of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press Day on June 21, 2027. I chose this milestone because journalism itself gave me the opportunity to visit Truong Sa,” he shared.
Born from a deep love for the sea and islands, the photo exhibition and photobook project that journalist and photographer Le Nguyen is passionately undertaking is an artist's tribute to the sacred part of the homeland: Truong Sa!
Journalist and photographer Le Nguyen (born in 1961 in Ca Mau) served as Editor-in-Chief of Dat Mui Photo Newspaper for five years. He is a veteran writer and photographer, one of the first generation to make significant contributions to the formation and development of Dat Mui Photo Newspaper. In addition, with nearly 40 years of membership in the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, Le Nguyen has been deeply involved in and contributed to the development of photography in Vietnam. He has been awarded the titles E.VAPA/G (Outstanding Vietnamese Photographic Artist) and E.FIAP (Outstanding Photographer of the International Federation of Photographic Art). He is currently the Vice President and Chairman of the Art Council of the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists.
Some notable awards of journalist and photographer Le Nguyen include: the work "Our House" - ACCU Grand Prize (Japan) in 1996; National Outstanding Photo Award (A Prize) in 1996; Bronze Medal in the Asahi Shimbun category (Japan) in 2004; FIAP Bronze Medal in 2010; one of 45 works honored by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists after reunification; and the work "Good Morning" - FUJIFILM Gold Cup.
Thai Thanh
Source: https://baocamau.vn/nguoi-nghe-si-cua-truong-sa-a128175.html
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