In the morning of mid-January, at the Truong Sa Economic -Defense Naval Port (Phuoc Thang Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), the ships Truong Sa 01 and Truong Sa 19 of Brigade 125, Region 2 of the Navy, departed the port carrying over 100 tons of goods and Tet gifts from the mainland to visit and extend Tet greetings to officers and soldiers at the DK1 offshore platforms, patrol ships, Radar Station 590, and the military and civilians of Con Dao Island during the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.
The feelings of those on the home front.
The farewell ceremony was both solemn and heartwarming, reflecting the concern of the Party, the State, and the people for the soldiers and civilians at the forefront. Amidst the deep sound of the ship's horn, eyes followed the ship's movements without wavering. There were wives bidding farewell to their husbands, fathers bidding farewell to their sons, and countless hearts from the mainland sending their hopes and faith to those on the front lines.
Nestled beside the pier railing, Tran Thi Lien, wife of Captain Tran Van Luc - Political Officer of the DK1/10 offshore platform (Ca Mau shoal), made a video call so her young daughter could see her father's face before the ship departed. On the phone screen, the naval soldier's face shone brightly.
A bouquet of fresh flowers from the home front wishes the young soldier well as he departs for his mission.
"Take care of yourself, honey. I've sent you a gift by train. Mom and the baby are fine at home, so you can focus on your work..." - Lien reassured her husband. Their little daughter made a heart shape with her hands and said in a childish voice, "Dad, I miss you so much." The young father smiled and replied, "Have a happy Lunar New Year, you two. I'll be home next year."
For five years of marriage, Lien has spent New Year's Eve without her husband. "During Tet (Lunar New Year), the house feels empty without a man. But everyone has their own responsibilities. I'm proud that my husband is on the front lines of the country," Lien said. The promise, "Dad will be home next year," has become the motivation for the young wife to continue her role as the silent support system.
Not far away, Mr. Pham Hong Diem (residing in Phu My ward, Ho Chi Minh City) held a bouquet of fresh flowers to give to his son, Corporal Pham Hong Duc Anh, before he boarded the ship to replace his comrades at the DK1/10 offshore platform. Mr. Diem encouraged him: "The most beautiful thing in a young person's life is to dedicate themselves to the Fatherland. Hardship is unavoidable, but it will help you grow."
Duc Anh received the bouquet from his father, overcome with emotion and unable to hold back tears: "I promise to complete my mission well. When the ship arrives, I will write a letter home." Gazing intently at the young man's face, Mr. Diem hoped that joining the military would help his son become stronger for the journey ahead.
The soldiers packed gifts and kumquat trees for Tet (Vietnamese New Year) and loaded them onto the ship bound for the DK1 offshore platform.
Beyond family sentiment, the spring train also carries the sharing spirit of many organizations and individuals from all over the country. Present at the farewell ceremony, Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Nhan, Director of Khanh Nguyen Tran Company ( Ninh Binh province), was moved as she personally presented gifts to encourage the officers and soldiers.
"I've seen ships depart for Truong Sa many times before, but this time the emotions are more complete. While we celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) fully on the mainland, the officers and soldiers on the DK1 platform have to be far from their families. I hope they remain steadfast in their duties, firmly upholding sovereignty so that the people of the whole country can enjoy a peaceful spring," Ms. Nhan expressed.
A pillar of support at the forefront of the waves.
On the morning of January 16th, the two ships Truong Sa 01 and Truong Sa 19 set sail. Truong Sa 01 carried Tet gifts to the Phuc Tan, Que Duong, Huyen Tran, and Ba Ke offshore platforms; Truong Sa 19 went to the Phuc Nguyen, Tu Chinh, and Ca Mau platforms, as well as Radar Station 590 and the Con Dao Special Zone.
According to the Logistics Department of the 2nd Naval Region Command, in addition to the standard military supplies and Tet gifts from the Ministry of National Defense and the Navy, the units also received many practical gifts such as sticky rice, vermicelli, dried bamboo shoots, dried mushrooms, etc. In particular, each offshore platform and each patrol ship was given a peach blossom or kumquat tree to celebrate New Year's Eve at sea. Amidst the vast waves and winds, these familiar peach blossoms and kumquat trees from the mainland became symbols of spring, of a close-knit homeland, adding warmth to the soldiers far from home.
Mr. Pham Hong Diem and his son, Corporal Pham Hong Duc Anh, before the ship departs.
Colonel Le Hong Quang, Deputy Head of Political Affairs of the 2nd Naval Region Command and Head of the second delegation to extend New Year greetings, said that from now until Tet (Lunar New Year), the sea area around DK1 is forecast to have high waves and strong winds. Goods will be carefully packaged and transported to the platform using safety ropes. "Taking advantage of calm seas, the delegation will go to the platform to extend early New Year greetings, organize activities, and boost the morale of officers and soldiers. By the time the ship returns to the mainland, Tet will have just arrived at every home," Colonel Quang shared.
Amidst the vast ocean, spring is present in every gift, every handwritten letter, in the eyes of the soldiers, and in the unwavering faith of those on the home front. It is from this quiet devotion that the DK1 "steel fortresses" stand firm in the open sea, allowing the mainland to welcome a peaceful and complete spring.
Special deployment
Speaking at the ship's departure ceremony, Colonel Do Hong Duyen, Deputy Political Commissar of the 2nd Naval Region Command, said that each spring voyage is a special expedition, carrying not only material goods but also the affection of the home front. These gifts will further strengthen the faith and resolve of the officers and soldiers at the DK1 platform, enabling them to stand firm, guarding the skies and seas, so that the people of the whole country can enjoy a peaceful spring.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/tet-den-som-with-linh-nha-gian-196260124192345821.htm
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