Truong Sa - Where faith touches the very flesh and blood of the Fatherland.

Eleven years, three journeys, an undying love. Returning from Truong Sa, my heart still beats with the rhythm of the sea and my gratitude remains boundless...

The author, along with Task Force No. 10, visited the Truong Sa archipelago and the DK-I platform from April 17-23, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the author)

Eleven years ago, I left Truong Sa with a tiny square-leaved mangrove sapling nestled in the palm of my hand and a silent promise etched in my heart. Eleven years later, that sapling has grown into a resilient tree, its roots deeply embedded in the soil of Singapore, proudly reaching high and spreading its green foliage within the grounds of the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, a symbol of sacred sovereignty existing in a foreign land.

On this return, standing amidst the vast ocean, breathing in the distinctive salty air of the East Sea, I suddenly realized that it wasn't I who carried a sapling with me, but Truong Sa itself that sowed in the hearts of us expatriates an undying "seed of faith." A powerful, enduring vitality of the nation that no time or space can diminish.

A pilgrimage to the most sacred place of the soul.

For me, this trip was not simply a sea voyage, but a pilgrimage back to the most sacred place in my soul. There were moments when words became utterly insignificant in the face of the grandeur of reality.

It was a moment when my heart tightened, my chest pounding, as I watched the national flag fluttering against the deep, dark blue of the sea and sky. That vibrant red was as brilliant as blood and flesh, like the beating of millions of Vietnamese hearts resonating in the vast ocean.

When I sang the national anthem, a song brimming with pride, amidst the Trường Sa Islands, a symbol of indomitable will and spirit, I felt as if I were becoming one with the sacred soul of the mountains and rivers.

Far away, peace is sometimes taken for granted. But only when standing here, amidst the scorching sun, with the salty taste clinging to my skin, touching the towering sovereignty markers, do I truly understand: Every moment of peace we enjoy is bought with the youth, the iron discipline, and the silent, nameless sacrifices of the soldiers on the island.

You chose to stand at the forefront, taking on the greatest hardships to provide us, your children far from home, with a strong spiritual anchor, so that no matter where we are in the world , Vietnamese people can confidently hold their heads high.

The author took this photo at the DK-I/19 Que Duong offshore platform. (Photo courtesy of the author)

Even when the sea is calm, it can stir up emotions within people.

Throughout the voyage, perhaps the moment that left my heart and all the delegates most silent and broken was the ceremony commemorating the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting the sovereignty of our seas and islands.

The sea is unusually calm this season, its surface as still as a sheet of paper, as if holding its breath to soothe the souls of the fallen soldiers. But it is precisely in this vast silence that the mournful sound of the trumpet calling for the souls of the deceased becomes even more poignant, penetrating every corner of the soul.

This is the third time I've been fortunate enough to participate in a sea voyage, and all three times, the feeling remains the same: a suffocating, nameless lump in my throat.

Looking at the fresh flower wreaths, the chrysanthemums, and the tiny paper cranes floating gently on the clear blue sea, I understand that beneath that tranquility lie the finest sons of Mother Earth who have forever dedicated their most beautiful youth to the ocean. They are not gone; they have become one with the sea and sky, transforming into coral reefs that embrace the shape of our homeland.

Three times I stood silently on the ship's deck, and three times my tears mingled with the salty sea. That sacrifice reminded us that every inch of this ocean is not only salty with the taste of salt, but also with the saltiness of the sweat and blood of our ancestors. It urges us to live in a way that is worthy of those who lie at the bottom of the ocean, so that the red flag with the yellow star may forever fly high above the waves.

"Deep roots, strong foundation" - Wisdom directed towards its origins.

Looking at the square-leaved mangrove and the sea almond trees, still vibrant green despite rising from barren rocks and coral sand, bending and enduring through stormy seasons, I see a reflection of our own community.

No matter where we settle, no matter how many nautical miles away, the intellectual and emotional roots of the Vietnamese people always remain deeply rooted in our origins. We are like birds spreading our wings across the five continents, but our eyes always yearn to look towards the East Sea.

This voyage is more special than ever, because we carry with us a thirst for knowledge. Accompanying me are leading experts and intellectuals in sustainable technology, supermaterials, and more.

We are not here as visitors, but to affirm that geographical distances can be measured in nautical miles, but responsibility to the homeland knows no distance.

If you use willpower and courage to uphold sovereignty, then we, your sons and daughters living far from home, pledge to use our intellect as a "support base," bringing technology to green the Spratly Islands, so that life at the forefront of the waves becomes less arduous.

Delegation No. 10 comprises 48 overseas Vietnamese from 22 countries, along with representatives from agencies, units, and businesses that have made significant contributions, as well as some artists, writers, and journalists from within the country. (Photo courtesy of TGCC)

The lighthouse in the mind and the promise to act.

At the moment of parting, watching the waving hands from the pier fade into the sunlight and mist, an indescribable feeling welled up in my heart.

Goodbye Truong Sa, goodbye to the majestic DK1 platform. What I bring back to Singapore is not a new sprout or just beautiful and meaningful memories, but a shining "lighthouse" in my mind.

I promise myself and my comrades that I will continue to be a strong bridge, spreading the image of the steadfast Truong Sa to the Vietnamese community in Singapore and international friends.

Love for the homeland and its islands should not be limited to emotions and words, but must be embodied in the most practical and powerful actions. I believe that every contribution of knowledge, every technological project directed towards this region, is a brick in building the most sustainable wall to protect our sovereignty.

Thank you, Truong Sa, for teaching me about the resilience and boundless compassion of the sea. Thank you, soldiers of the islands, for showing me how sacred and majestic our homeland truly is.

Truong Sa will remain strong thanks to the soldiers guarding it.

Our nation will forever reach greater heights because of the unity of millions of hearts that always beat as one: Vietnam.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/truong-sa-noi-niem-tin-cham-vao-mau-thit-to-quoc-389385.html