Journalist Nguyen Viet Ton (wearing a life jacket) of Tin Tuc and Dan Toc Newspaper (Vietnam News Agency) working at Thuyen Chai Island (photo taken in May 2022). Photo provided by the author
After 22 years of writing, at the end of May, Journalist Thu Huong (Industry and Trade Newspaper) had the honor of visiting Truong Sa. Thu Huong was truly moved when she witnessed fishermen's fishing boats anchoring, refueling, and repairing damaged equipment. This is an important support for fishermen to continue going out to sea. The Fisheries Service Center and the dock in Da Tay are like a protective arm in the middle of the fierce sea.
On days when the wind is force 6 or 7, dozens of fishing boats can still be seen anchored peacefully inside the area protected by waves and wind. Fishermen enter the port not only to avoid the wind but also to refuel, drink fresh water, and receive food, repair machinery, communicate with the mainland, or receive medical care and treatment when they get sick or have an accident while fishing at sea.
Many people consider the fishing port as a “transit station” of trust, where people can gain more strength, feel secure to go out to sea for long days, and at the same time affirm their sovereignty through their hard-working sea trips. The Fisheries Service Center not only provides supplies but also serves as a support for both fishermen and law enforcement forces at sea.
Patrol boats, communication antennas, fresh water tanks, fuel depots… all operate in harmony and are fully connected. “In the middle of the vast ocean, the presence of the Da Tay fishing port and service center not only has economic significance, but is also a symbol of the enduring civil presence, the close bond between the mainland people and the sacred islands,” Journalist Thu Huong shared.
Sharing the same feelings about Truong Sa, Journalist Nguyen Viet Ton - Tin Tuc and Dan Toc Newspaper (Vietnam News Agency) said: "Every time I go on a mission with the Navy, it is an honor for me. Witnessing the life, activities, study and work of Navy officers and soldiers at the forefront, I can see all the hardships of the Navy."
For you - Navy soldiers, above all, serving the country, keeping the Fatherland from being unexpectedly passive, keeping the oath to protect the sea so that the people's lives can be peaceful. After each voyage to the soldiers on the remote islands or DK1 Platform, for the VNA journalists, it is the affection of the mainland for the Navy soldiers. Through articles, images, and films, the journalists always give the Navy soldiers their precious love and admiration for the bravery and courage of the Navy.
With more than 10 years of working in sea and island propaganda, Journalist Do Thi Thu Lan (pen name Thu Lan), Deputy Head of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, News Department (VOV1), Voice of Vietnam, has worked 5 times in Truong Sa and DK1 Platform.
Recalling the memory of the first time coming to Truong Sa, Journalist Thu Lan confided, in early May 2011 I came to Truong Sa. For the first time in my life, I felt overwhelmed as I set foot on the floating islands, submerged islands... looking out at the vast ocean with its waves, I realized how vast our country is. In the middle of the vast ocean, the national flag fluttering in the wind - I was filled with indescribable emotions. For the first time, touching the Sovereignty Monument on Truong Sa Island (Truong Sa Town), my love for the Fatherland multiplied...
On the islands and island destinations visited, the impression that left Journalist Thu Lan was the young soldiers standing guard under the blazing sun with determined eyes; meeting officers and soldiers with skin tanned by the sea wind and sun and bright smiles. Each person exuded a resilient spirit. In that place that seemed isolated from the world, the camaraderie, the love between the army and the people, and the strongest patriotism I have ever witnessed shone forth.
In particular, at the DK1 Platform on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland, the soldiers are truly the “living milestones” of the Fatherland in the middle of the ocean. Precariously situated in the middle of the ocean, looking up is the sky, looking down is the deep sea, yet there are soldiers who have stayed at the platform for decades, dedicating their youth to this special home in the middle of the ocean. They live in the middle of the ocean and storms with the spirit of steel “as long as there are people, there will be platforms”, bravely keeping the DK1 platforms into “steel fortresses” on the southern continental shelf.
Navy soldiers (Navy Region 4 Command) read the Weekly News newspaper. Photo: Viet Ton
As for journalist Hoang Ha (Vietnam Women's Newspaper), who has been working in the island sector and the Navy for about 10 years, any trip to the Navy units leaves special impressions and emotions. Among them, the most special and profound is the affection of the marine soldiers, even though it was only the first time they met, it felt like they had known each other for a long time, from the commanders to the officers and soldiers I met during my work. "That gives female journalists like me a sense of security and confidence when working far from home," journalist Hoang Ha confided.
In addition, Journalist Hoang Ha was also quite impressed with the way the Navy soldiers, especially the officers and soldiers who directly performed their duties in the Truong Sa archipelago, shared information. According to her, through the zalo group on Propaganda of the activities of the units from the Service to the Regions, Brigades, and units, information was updated regularly, promptly, and diversely, which greatly supported the reporters even when they could not be present at the event.
In particular, during holidays, Tet, and major events of the country and the Party, units on the mainland or remote islands are updated quickly and promptly. Many times, we also support reporters in quickly interviewing the opinions of officers and soldiers on the islands very quickly, helping us to carry out propaganda about the images, activities, and thoughts of officers and soldiers closer to the mainland, responding to the interest of many domestic and foreign readers about the thoughts and activities of Navy soldiers with major events of the country and the Party.
Respectfully and proudly reporting on Truong Sa Islands, Journalist Thanh Hue (Vietnamnet Newspaper) shared that coming to the army and people of Truong Sa is truly a precious gift, a "privilege" that journalism brings to me.
"For me, the trip to Truong Sa is a special milestone in my life as a journalist - a journey that not only crossed the waves to the distant islands, but also touched the deepest levels of patriotism, faith and national pride. I witnessed ordinary yet noble people: Navy officers and soldiers who were not only brave and intelligent but also extremely kind; engineering soldiers who sacrificed their youth to build works in the middle of the ocean; young soldiers in their twenties who left the bustling city to volunteer to return to the remote islands, carrying with them the longing of their families, lovers, and the mainland. I was fascinated by the cool green scenery of the sacred land, touched by the proud eyes of the officers and soldiers who repaired boats for free for fishermen in the middle of the ocean. There were also times when my tears stung when I left Truong Sa, hearing the shouts echoing into the sea: "Truong Sa for the Fatherland!" - "The Fatherland for Truong Sa!", Journalist Thanh Hue said.
It can be seen that, although the time of coming to Truong Sa is different, the common point of the journalists who worked in Truong Sa archipelago and DK1 platform is pride and happiness. When mentioning Truong Sa, every reporter and journalist is moved by the heroic history of the immortal circles, the naval battles to protect every inch of land and sea of previous generations, to preserve the sovereignty of the homeland's sea and islands.
Truong Sa and DK1 Platform today have received the attention of the Party, the State, agencies, organizations, people nationwide and overseas Vietnamese, the island is increasingly developing greener, cleaner, more modern and more standardized. The bell of Truong Sa Pagoda echoes, the sound of school drums is bustling, mixed with the sound of children laughing and singing....
On the remote island outpost of the Fatherland, Truong Sa has full electricity, roads, schools, stations, a medical center right next to the town gate, a port to support fishermen to dock and take shelter from storms... Those things appear in each page of writing, not only reflecting honestly but also containing the love for the sea and islands, and the professional responsibility of each journalist.
And above all, journalists always wish to accompany the soldiers and people of Truong Sa and DK1 Platform more, bringing their love for the sea and islands to the Navy soldiers. Through their articles, journalists will spread to the people in the country and overseas Vietnamese about the brave examples and silent sacrifices of the soldiers and people of Truong Sa in the cause of preserving and protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.
Thai Binh/News and Ethnic Newspaper
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/truong-sa-trong-tim-nguoi-lam-bao-20250617135100411.htm
Comment (0)