Tet on Tran Island

Having served 20 years at the Tran Island Battalion (242nd Brigade, 3rd Military Region) and celebrated the traditional Lunar New Year on the island many times, Major Do Cong Duan, a weapons officer at the Tran Island Battalion, has many memories. He reminisced about the combat alert situation right before the Lunar New Year's Eve of the Year of the Rat 2020.

On New Year's Eve, as the officers and soldiers of the Tran Island Battalion were eagerly awaiting the new year, and all preparations for the New Year's Eve celebration were complete, the alarm suddenly sounded with a combat situation: Intruders had infiltrated the unit.

Leaders of Military Region 3 inspected and extended New Year greetings to officers and soldiers of Tran Island Battalion.

“Despite the unexpected situation, the officers and soldiers in the unit quickly assembled, retrieved their weapons and equipment, and moved to their deployment positions, handling the situation according to the plan. After the situation concluded and a review and lessons learned session was held, the Battalion Commander wished the entire unit a Happy New Year, then went to each row of soldiers to shake hands and present them with red envelopes as New Year's gifts. All the officers and soldiers in the unit were excited and proud to celebrate Tet in the middle of the ocean, contributing to protecting the peace of the Fatherland and the people,” recounted Major Do Cong Duan.

Maintaining strict vigilance and readiness to defend the island, avoiding any passive or unexpected situations, is the political determination of the officers and soldiers of Brigade 242. Especially during special times, holidays, and festivals, the combat units of Tran Island Battalion further uphold their sense of responsibility, maintain strict discipline, remain vigilant, and work together to successfully complete their missions.

Every year, even during New Year's Eve, officers and soldiers of the observation, air defense, artillery, and communications units on the island remain at their posts, focusing their attention on performing their duties well and closely monitoring the situation within their assigned areas. At the moment of midnight, the soldiers celebrate the New Year right on the battlefield, in the duty room, with simple handshakes and greetings; the Battalion Commander comes to encourage and wish the soldiers on duty a Happy New Year.

Sharing his feelings about celebrating the Lunar New Year 2025 on the artillery platform, Corporal Nguyen Van Truong, a soldier of the 76.2mm Artillery Company (Tran Island Battalion), confided: “It’s unforgettable to celebrate Tet away from home for the first time, welcoming the New Year’s Eve right at the artillery position on this northern frontier island of the Fatherland. This experience helps me better understand the honor and pride of the island soldiers in carrying out their duty of being ready for combat, protecting the peace so that the people can enjoy the spring and celebrate Tet.”

Soldiers of the Tran Island Battalion (242nd Brigade, 3rd Military Region) tend to flowers in preparation for the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.

Maintaining constant vigilance and a high level of combat readiness, the commander of Tran Island Battalion still prioritizes ensuring the material and spiritual well-being of the troops and organizing a rational and scientific guard duty system. Major Tran Quang Ngoc, Battalion Commander of Tran Island Battalion, shared: “The unit arranges guard duty schedules daily, rotating the platoons on duty during the Tet holiday, ensuring that all soldiers can participate in the spring festivities organized by the unit; at the same time, we pay full and thoughtful attention to the logistical provisions and standards for the personnel on duty.”

A new spring is arriving for everyone, every home. The sound of waves crashing against the shore intensifies the soldiers' longing for the mainland; but more than anyone else, they understand their sacred duty in this frontier sea and island region and are ready to set aside personal feelings, stand firm with their weapons, and vow to ensure that the Fatherland is never caught off guard in any situation.

Visiting Tran Island Battalion in early 2026 and preparing for the Lunar New Year of the Horse, we noticed that peach blossoms, kumquats, and many other flowers were blooming beautifully in the barracks grounds. Officers and soldiers of the units on the island were both carrying out their duties and actively preparing to celebrate the New Year with the motto of being joyful, safe, economical, and maintaining high combat readiness.

Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/tet-o-dao-tran-1024795