Sacred Truong Sa

Truong Sa appears before many people's eyes not only with its majestic and indomitable beauty in the middle of the ocean.

Truong Sa appears before many people not only with its majestic and indomitable beauty in the middle of the ocean, but also with touching, sacred and familiar images and stories.

From May 11 to 17, ship KN290 departed to take the delegation of Ho Chi Minh City to visit Truong Sa and DK1 platform. The voyage carried a heavy load of affection from the mainland to the distant islands, including the hearts of mothers for their children who are guarding the sea and sky of the Fatherland.

Reunion on a distant island

When the KN290 ship departed for Truong Sa, Ms. Dao Thi Binh (Ward 8, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City) kept walking in and out anxiously, leaning against the railing, her eyes looking into the distance. The moment she set foot on the island and met her son again after many days apart, Ms. Binh was extremely happy.

Ms. Binh's son is soldier Nguyen Anh Tuan, 24 years old, currently the captain of the 82 mortar battery, Da Tay island, Brigade 146. After graduating from the business administration major at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Tuan joined the army and has been working on Da Tay island since December 2024.

"When I first arrived on the island, the harsh weather made it difficult for me to adapt. However, thanks to the care and encouragement of the officers, soldiers and people on the island, I gradually overcame it and tried to complete the assigned tasks well," Tuan shared.

Now, Tuan is proud to be a navy soldier who always holds his gun firmly to protect the border. Tuan is also the pride of his family. The image of his son standing firm in the face of the storm has been deeply engraved in Mrs. Dao Thi Binh's heart. That joy is doubled when she witnesses her son's life on a remote island but still full, with a place to eat and live that is more spacious and complete than what she had imagined.

Mrs. Binh was grateful: "This is thanks to the deep concern of the Party, Government and people of the whole country for the cadres and soldiers at the front lines of the Fatherland. I am very reassured and hope that my son will be steadfast and complete all his tasks well."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Lien, the biological mother of Private First Class Nguyen Thanh Tam (currently working on Sinh Ton Island) was also very happy to meet her son at the forefront of the storm. Holding her son in her arms, Ms. Lien listened to her son passionately talk about the camaraderie, the camaraderie, and the deep love between the army and the people on the remote island. "I am so touched and proud that my son has become a Navy soldier. The storms and hardships have tempered the strength of a man and I believe my son will be more steadfast," Ms. Lien said.

Soldier Tam said he accepted the couple on the island as sworn brothers and sisters: "They often talk, ask about me, encourage me, and sometimes invite me over for dinner. When I have free time, I often go to their house to play, help with housework, take care of the vegetable garden, and play with the children. To me, they and the children are like family, so even though I'm far from home, I still feel the warmth of their love and care" - Tam boasted.

Mrs. Binh and Mrs. Lien are two mothers of soldiers on duty in Truong Sa who were invited to participate in this voyage. For them, setting foot in Truong Sa was a memorable experience, helping them understand more deeply about the sovereignty of the sea and islands and the sacrifices of soldiers. Seeing their children healthy, holding them in their arms, witnessing their lives and missions helped the mothers dispel all worries and feel confident in the rear. That sacred family affection is a solid spiritual support, helping soldiers overcome all difficulties, complete their missions excellently and feel more proud of the path they have chosen.

Navy soldiers on duty on Sinh Ton Island

Overcome any difficulty

The beautiful image of the loyal and steadfast naval soldiers standing at the forefront of the waves and winds lingered in the minds of the delegates on the voyage of more than 2,000 nautical miles to Truong Sa and the DK1 platform. They are a living symbol of the resilient and indomitable will of the Vietnamese people.

When the KN290 ship prepares to anchor near the islands, regardless of day or night, favorable weather or stormy weather, the soldiers are always present in large numbers, ready to perform their duties. They are agile and coordinate well to transfer goods from the ship to the island. From large containers containing essential supplies, food, and provisions to small flower baskets and gift packages, all are carefully handled and transported.

On small boats connecting large ships and islands, or on the wharf, island soldiers wearing life jackets and pith helmets always ensure the safety of people and goods. Their strong arms quickly pass each package to each other, supporting the flow of people to the island. In the soldiers' eyes, there is always a light of joy and optimism.

Lieutenant Colonel - professional soldier Le Xuan Vu, an employee of the Planning - Synthesis Department of the Navy's Political Department, said that in the midst of the stormy sea, all the moving, eating and staying or ensuring the safety of the delegation required careful preparation. The soldiers were always present in time to guide and help with the smallest things such as arranging luggage, moving on and off the ship, taking care of food and accommodation, as well as ensuring security and medical care. This professionalism and dedication helped the delegations feel secure in carrying out their tasks, feeling protected and sheltered. Meals filled with military-civilian affection or cultural exchanges filled with laughter, all created a special atmosphere of solidarity, erasing all distances.

Rear Admiral Le Ba Quan, Deputy Commander of the Navy, said that through the actual visit, we can see more clearly the affection and concern of the people on the mainland for the soldiers and people in Truong Sa, and the soldiers on duty at the DK1 platform. This is a great source of encouragement, motivating officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy to overcome difficulties, determined to firmly protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

"The officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy deeply understand the sacredness of every inch of the island. Respecting and honoring the great contributions of the previous generation, no matter how difficult or arduous, we always uphold the spirit of vigilance, ready to fight, ready to accept tasks, ready to sacrifice for the cause of protecting sovereignty, building the Vietnam People's Navy to constantly mature, grow strong, modernize, contribute to maintaining peace at sea, worthy of the trust of the Party, State and people" - Rear Admiral Le Ba Quan emphasized.

Ms. Dao Thi Binh is happy with her son - soldier Nguyen Anh Tuan - on Da Tay island.

Members of the Ho Chi Minh City delegation were taken by boat to Da Thi island to visit officers and soldiers.

Ho Chi Minh City towards the homeland sea and islands

Mr. Pham Thanh Kien - Member of the Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City delegation visiting Truong Sa and DK1 platform (working group No. 21) - said that the visit has become a fine tradition of the Party Committee, Party members, cadres and people of Ho Chi Minh City. This is also a great source of encouragement and motivation to help cadres, soldiers and people on the islands overcome all difficulties, maintain the spirit of solidarity, steadfastly stay at the forefront, worthy of being the core force in the cause of firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands. The visit also helps Ho Chi Minh City people better understand the lives and activities of people and soldiers on remote islands; thereby, actively responding to the movement "For the homeland's sea and islands - For the frontline of the Fatherland" launched by the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee.

During this visit, the delegation of Ho Chi Minh City visited, encouraged and presented many practical gifts to soldiers and people on the island. The total value of gifts and support was more than 32.5 billion VND, of which 26 billion VND was reserved by Ho Chi Minh City for the project "For a green Truong Sa".

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thieng-lieng-truong-sa-19625052521521307.htm