Truong Sa in my heart

TP - Some trips in a journalist's life aren't long, but the memories of the journey will last for many years. For me, the journey to Truong Sa was one such trip.

Emotions surge

In early May 2026, the Trường Sa 571 ship departed from Cam Ranh International Port ( Khanh Hoa province ) heading straight for the Trường Sa archipelago. The blaring horns and waving hands gradually faded away. On the ship's deck, more than 200 delegates from Task Force No. 14 shared a mix of excitement and apprehension for their voyage to Trường Sa and the southern continental shelf.

I vividly remember the flag-raising ceremony on Truong Sa Island. The national anthem echoed amidst the sound of the waves and the wind. The soldiers stood solemnly in the sun. Many members of the delegation silently wiped away tears.

As journalists, we often record the emotions of others. But in that moment, we ourselves became part of the story. The camera in hand clicked continuously, but our hearts resonated with each lyric. “The Vietnamese army marches on…” Amidst the vast sea of ​​Truong Sa, those words carried more weight than ever before.

The author (second from the left) and a colleague working on Truong Sa Island.

And then, during that voyage, tears were shed as we attended a memorial ceremony for the heroic martyrs who fell defending the sovereignty of the sea and islands at Co Lin - Len Dao - Gac Ma and the southern continental shelf, right at the DK1 platform. In the vast expanse of the ocean, wreaths were released onto the water's surface. Those who lie buried in the sea have contributed to writing the immortal history of the nation.

Thanks to their sacrifice, the red flag with a yellow star still flies high over the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago today. As journalists, we understand that some stories cannot be recorded solely with a pen. They must be felt with the heart.

Memories that will last forever

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From Song Tu Tay, to Son Ca, Da Lon, Nam Yet, Da Lon B, Truong Sa Dong, Truong Sa, and finally the DK-1/16 platform, it was a journey full of memories. The work of a reporter is already arduous, but in Truong Sa, everything becomes even more special. There were days when the sun was so scorching it burned my skin, and my shirt was drenched in sweat. Cameras and video equipment had to be carefully protected from the salty sea air.

Small boats transported the crew from the ship to the island amidst rough seas. Each time they stepped into the boat, they had to maintain their balance amidst the rocking waves. But it was precisely these difficulties that made every photograph and every news article even more precious.

During the voyage, journalist Le Thanh, a reporter for the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), relived memories of his first trip 17 years ago. Thanh recalled that in 2009, when he first worked in Truong Sa, he carried with him the excitement and curiosity of a young reporter about this sacred sea and island region of the Fatherland.

Back then, every time he set foot on an island, every time he touched the crystal-clear blue sea water in the middle of the ocean, it brought him unforgettable emotions. Truong Sa appeared both distant and close; both harsh but also full of human kindness.

Returning to Truong Sa, Thanh's emotions remained as strong as they were on his first day. The only difference was that, alongside the emotion, he was astonished by the tremendous changes that had taken place on the archipelago at the forefront of the waves.

While in 2009, many islands were still quite harsh, with little vegetation, and living conditions for officers, soldiers, and residents were difficult, today Truong Sa has a completely different appearance.

“Every trip to Truong Sa is a special journey. I always try to capture the most authentic images of life there. These include the sun-tanned faces of the soldiers guarding the sea and sky, the determined eyes of the islanders, and the red flags with yellow stars fluttering in the sea breeze. Each image is not only a document but also a story about willpower, faith, and love for the homeland.” – Journalist Le Thanh

Journalist Le Van (News and Ethnic Groups Newspaper, Vietnam News Agency) bravely ventured across the Truong Sa Islands, no less so than her male colleagues. Overcoming seasickness on the ship, she appeared even more energetic and lively upon setting foot on the island.

Journalist Pham Tuan (Photography and Life Magazine) took thousands of photos throughout the voyage. He shared: “I understand that each trip is not just a journalistic journey, recording events or real images. It is also a responsibility to convey to readers true stories about the unwavering will, the spirit of overcoming difficulties, and the silent sacrifices of the soldiers and people of Truong Sa.”

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I hope that through each word and each image, the image of a proud and vibrant Truong Sa will reach the public, contributing to fostering love for the sea and islands, arousing national pride, and instilling a sense of responsibility in each individual in the cause of protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands."

Journalist Dang Thanh Phong printed and donated photos to soldiers on Da Lon B Island.

Journalist Dang Thanh Phong (from Bóng đá newspaper) brought along a mini photo printer. He took photos and printed them on the spot for the officers and soldiers on duty at the island outposts where the delegation stopped. A small act, but incredibly meaningful. Seeing the young soldiers lining up, even innocently playing rock-paper-scissors to be the first to receive the photos, then carefully putting them in their notebooks and backpacks as mementos of their time on the remote islands, made anyone who witnessed it appreciate even more the small but meaningful act of a journalist.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/truong-sa-trong-tim-post1852852.tpo