Truong Sa: Ordinary yet extraordinary stories

(Chinhphu.vn) - The trip to Truong Sa archipelago is a journey of overcoming the waves to set foot on the sacred land of the Fatherland. For many people, it is also an opportunity to listen, understand and deeply feel with all their hearts the ordinary but extraordinary stories of people living and working in the vast ocean.

Young soldier on duty as pilot leading motorboat to Sinh Ton Island - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

In a short conversation with reporters, a young soldier on duty on Sinh Ton Island, Truong Sa archipelago, could not hide his emotions when talking about the first days on the island to receive his mission. It was a challenging time, when for the first time he had to be away from home, away from the mainland for a long time to carry out his mission in the sunny and windy island sea.

The sovereignty milestone is a sacred symbol, engraved in the heart of every young soldier as a reminder of the noble mission: To firmly protect and preserve every inch of the sacred land of the Fatherland - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

The young soldier recounted: "The first days on the island, during the day it was bearable, but at night, lying down listening to the sound of the waves crashing offshore, the homesickness and longing for family kept rising. There were times when I wondered if I could overcome it. However, it was in those seemingly weak moments that I found the motivation to be stronger. Every morning when I woke up, seeing the seniors quietly completing their tasks in all circumstances; seeing the fishermen still firmly clinging to the sea, clinging to the island, living a simple but resilient life, I felt like I was given more strength. I told myself that I had to be strong, to mature to be worthy of the soldier's uniform and the trust of the Fatherland."

Although these shares are simple, they contain a journey of maturity - where patriotism is not just a slogan but is present in the daily resilience and perseverance in the middle of the ocean.

Sinh Ton Commune Primary School on Sinh Ton Island was built spaciously and beautifully - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Not only are there soldiers who guard the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland day and night, in the middle of the ocean on islands such as Sinh Ton, Song Tu Tay, Truong Sa Lon, there are also small homes where love and hope blossom every day. There, amidst the sound of the waves, there are the sounds of children spelling out words, the sound of school drums resounding loudly - sounds that make the remote islands become closer, full of life like the mainland.

Teacher Phan Van Tuan (white shirt) and teacher Truong Hong Linh (blue shirt) with the future generation growing up every day on a remote island - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

At Sinh Ton Primary School, teachers Phan Van Tuan and Truong Hong Linh, both from Khanh Hoa , volunteered to leave their families and stable, comfortable lives on the mainland to teach on the island for the past 5 years.

The teachers shared with passionate eyes: "On the mainland, we are ordinary teachers like everyone else. But on the island, each lesson is not just about teaching, but also a journey of spreading fire, a moment of sowing hope. Seeing the children diligently writing each stroke, we understand more than ever the meaning of the teaching profession - that is to preserve the future, to contribute to building the foundation of the Fatherland's sovereignty."

On the island, the classroom has only a few students, but in each innocent look is a sky full of dreams. The small hands holding the pens seem to hold their own future and that of the vast ocean and sky.

Although small in the vast ocean and sky, Da Tay B lighthouse always shines brightly, guiding ships safely - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

The keeper of the "eye of the sea"

In the middle of the vast East Sea, at Truong Sa archipelago - the place where the waves and winds blow, there are lighthouse keepers who silently carry out their duty day and night to keep the light shining to guide passing ships.

Nguyen Quang Vinh, a Thanh Hoa native, a lighthouse keeper at Da Tay B lighthouse, is one of those quiet people. After more than 10 years of living on the remote island, he has gradually become accustomed to a life of material deprivation and harsh weather, but has never once neglected his duties. Every day, he and four other teammates at the station go to check the equipment, clean the lampshades, and ensure the lighthouse operates continuously, especially at night or in bad weather conditions. Because that light must always be on evenly, at the right frequency, as the "eyes" that guide ships far out at sea.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, lighthouse keeper at Da Tay B lighthouse - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

"Keeping the light on is keeping sovereignty," said Vinh, his eyes shining with pride. On windy nights with high waves, the entire station stays awake to keep the light on, even for a minute. For the lighthouse keepers, each light emitted is not only a maritime signal, but also a vivid message about Vietnam's presence in the vast ocean and sky.

Mr. Vinh and people like him are not only ordinary workers, but also silent soldiers on the fence of the Fatherland. They contribute to preserving the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands with the immortal flame of patriotism and indomitable spirit - a light that never goes out in the middle of the ocean.

Working Group No. 24 of 2025 inspected, encouraged, and shared the difficulties and hardships of soldiers on duty at Co Lin Island - Photo: VGP/Son Hao

Truong Sa - the convergence of love for the Fatherland

The trip to Truong Sa not only opens up a true perspective of life on a remote island, but is also a journey that touches the heart - a place moved by the spirit of resilience, courage and intense patriotism in the middle of the ocean.

Amidst the vast waves, under the scorching sun and harsh challenges of nature, the people here still silently preserve and build this sacred land day and night - as an immortal affirmation: Truong Sa is forever an inseparable part of the Fatherland.

The poignant melody of the song "Very Near Truong Sa" (Hinh Phuoc Long) seems to remind us that, despite being geographically far away, Truong Sa is always close to the hearts of every Vietnamese person:

"Not far away, Truong Sa.

Not far away Truong Sa.

Still close to you because Truong Sa is always with me.

Still close to you because Truong Sa is always with me..."

Son Hao

 

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/truong-sa-nhung-cau-chuyen-binh-di-ma-phi-thuong-102250527231926631.htm