Continuing the tradition of protecting the Spratly Islands.

On March 14, 1988, during the battle to defend the sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands at Gac Ma, Co Lin, and Len Dao reefs (part of the Truong Sa archipelago), 64 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy bravely sacrificed their lives, lying buried in the open sea. Among them was the heroic martyr Vu Phi Tru, Captain of ship HQ-604 (belonging to Squadron 1, Brigade 125 of the Navy), from Quang Chinh commune, Thanh Hoa province.

Major Vu Xuan Dang (right) and his teammates participate in the fleet transporting the delegation to the DK1 platform during the visit of the Command of Naval Region 2 to extend New Year greetings to officers and soldiers at the DK1 platform in Con Dao Special Zone on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2026. Photo: Binh Nguyen

The two sons of the heroic martyr Vu Phi Tru continued their father's patriotic tradition, also becoming naval soldiers. Their love and respect for their heroic father further fueled their love for the nation's seas and islands.

The father figure in my memories.

The wife of the heroic martyr Vu Phi Tru was Mrs. Nguyen Thi Tan, from the same hometown. They held their wedding during a short leave before the Lunar New Year in 1982. At the end of 1983, they had their first son, Vu Xuan Dang. In 1987, their second son, Vu Xuan Khoa, was born. After two years of continuous service on ships and at sea, the young father finally got leave to return home to visit his second son, who was only a few months old at the time. A few days later, he received an urgent telegram to return to his unit for an urgent mission. Before leaving, he bought bamboo, soaked it in a pond, and made several thousand bricks, intending to build a house for his wife and children upon his return. He anticipated this mission would be very long, only telling his wife to take good care of their children, and to ensure they received an education no matter how difficult things were.

Major Vu Xuan Dang participated in the mission of the Truong Sa 01 ship during the working trip of the 2nd Naval Region Command to visit and extend New Year greetings to officers and soldiers at the DK1 platform and Con Dao Special Zone on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2026.

Following in his family tradition, in 2001, Vu Xuan Dang enlisted in the army and studied at the Naval Technical College (now the Naval Technical College). Upon graduation, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant and assigned to the same unit as his father, Brigade 125 (Naval Region 2), serving as an artilleryman on military transport ships.

Currently, Major Vu Xuan Dang is a member of the flight crew of the Truong Sa 01 ship, belonging to Brigade 125. Recalling his memories of his deceased father, Major Vu Xuan Dang said: “When my father died, I was only 5 years old, so I don't have many memories of him. I only remember him affectionately hugging and kissing my brother and me, and talking to us very intimately. I really liked seeing the gun my father wore, and I also longed to wear his uniform and navy cap… Perhaps my dream of becoming a naval soldier was nurtured from that time.”

Major Vu Xuan Dang recounted: “My hometown was very poor, and my family was also struggling, so the image of my father, as told by my mother, was that during his leave, he would bring back bird eggs, snails, and fish he caught at sea for his wife and children; anything delicious or memento from the sea, he would bring back for the family. Whenever he came home, he never rested; he worked in reed cultivation, rice farming, gardening – he did everything to compensate for the lack of work for his wife and children. According to his comrades, my father was very witty, always sociable and cheerful, so he was loved by his fellow soldiers.”

Major Vu Xuan Dang further shared: Like his father, he became a naval soldier, often away from his wife, children, and family. He now has two children. Like any other father, he doesn't want his children to know about his hardships and struggles. After each mission, when he returns home to see his children, he only wants to cuddle, care for them, and tell them about the beautiful memories and images of the sea. On the occasion of the Navy's traditional day, he often takes them to his unit so they can learn about and appreciate the family tradition. When he's away on duty and has the opportunity to contact his family, he often talks to his children about everyday life at sea, about fishing, or sometimes about transporting construction materials for a beautiful temple on the island...

Hold your weapons firmly to protect the seas and islands of the Fatherland.

The 125th Naval Brigade is the main maritime transport unit of the Vietnam People's Navy, formerly known as the 759th Brigade – the heroic "Unnamed Ships" Brigade. The unit is famous for the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail on the sea, secretly transporting weapons and personnel by sea from the North to support the South. The unit has been honored twice by the Party and State with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, along with many other prestigious medals and decorations; it has always been resourceful and resilient in firmly defending the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

Major Vu Xuan Dang said: "Since childhood, my grandmother and mother have always taught me to continue the family's revolutionary tradition. My younger brother is also serving in the navy."

“Navy soldiers are special because when they die, their remains are often lost to the water, to the vast ocean. The inability to find the remains of our loved ones is a persistent pain for my family, as well as for countless other families of fallen soldiers in similar circumstances. At one point, the unit announced that we might find my father's remains, and my family held onto a glimmer of hope, only to be told once again that his body had vanished into the sea. For us, going to sea is like meeting our father, so we feel he is always with us. After 23 years of service, each sea voyage still brings back that initial feeling of returning to my homeland. Every day, bathing in the seawater, I feel protected. There were times when I faced life-threatening situations, and I always felt my father protecting me from the big waves and strong winds. I also believe that my father and the soldiers who sacrificed their lives at sea will always protect their comrades,” Major Vu Xuan Dang expressed.

Major Vu Xuan Dang confided: Since becoming a naval soldier, he has embarked on long and arduous voyages, some lasting for months at a time, with no news from his family, and at times having to fight alone in the vast ocean. These silent missions and sacrifices did not deter him; on the contrary, it was in these hardships that his will and character were further tempered, motivating him to strive to the very end to excellently complete every assigned task.

While serving on the Trường Sa 01 ship, I was always imbued with the motto: "When ordered, we go; once we leave port, the mission is accomplished." As a naval soldier, being part of Brigade 125 – a unit with a rich history closely linked to the "Nameless Fleet" during the resistance war to protect the Fatherland – is a great honor. The historical stories, the hardships and sacrifices experienced by previous generations, including my father, further motivate the generations of naval soldiers to continuously strive and train to inherit the glorious traditions of the unit.

Major VU XUAN DANG, Brigade 125 (Naval Region 2)

For a naval soldier, the ship is home, and comrades are like family, bound together by a life-or-death connection. From the moment he joined the military, through stories passed down from his father's generation of comrades, he developed a deep love and sacred respect for the navy, the steadfast people who day and night guard the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands. This has given him and his comrades the strength to continuously strive and resolutely protect the sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands, following the example of previous generations.

Plains

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202604/tiep-noi-truyen-thong-bao-ve-truong-sa-ca217a3/