Journalists come to Truong Sa not only to know and understand more about the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland, but also to be a bridge to tell the audience and listeners on the mainland about the lives of soldiers and people at the forefront of the waves and winds. Being able to visit Truong Sa once is the wish of many journalists. For me, having visited Truong Sa 4 times is not only a great honor and pride but also unforgettable memories in my career as a journalist.
Every trip is a challenge for yourself.
I was fortunate to join the working delegations in Truong Sa 4 times in 2013, 2014, 2015 and early 2024. However, the feeling of excitement is still hard to describe when being sent on a business trip to Truong Sa by the agency. Because most of the trips to Truong Sa are at the end of each year, with big waves, strong winds, and long days at sea. The trip to Truong Sa in early 2024 was also 10 years since the last time I came to the outpost archipelago of the Fatherland. Although I had experience 3 times before, I still had certain worries.
The familiar ship whistle at Cam Ranh naval port sounded again. After urgently transferring news and images of the departure ceremony to be broadcast in time, we took a break to save our strength to cope with the big waves and strong winds. At the end of the year's sea season, the strong northeast monsoon caused the HQ 571 ship - one of the most modern ships of the Vietnamese navy - to still be unsteady at sea. On each business trip to Truong Sa, each reporter needs to prepare himself with good health to avoid "seasickness".
The unforgettable feeling was seeing the first island after 2 days and 1 night of the HQ 571 ship slowly overcoming the wind and waves to bring the working group to Truong Sa. This year, we went to the northern island line of Truong Sa archipelago, the island we set foot on was Song Tu Tay island commune.
While the officers, soldiers and reporters working for the first time in Truong Sa were happy to be preparing to go to the first island, the officers and crew of ship HQ 571 and the leaders of the working group of Brigade 146, Navy were very worried. They were right to be worried, because the experienced officers and soldiers understood that, in the conditions of big waves and strong winds, it was extremely difficult to get to Song Tu Tay island this season.
Working in Truong Sa
Although we were advised to put our equipment in waterproof bags, our group of reporters still tried to record to send to the television audience. However, an unfortunate incident occurred. The second boat transferred reporters from the navy ship to the island, because this group was mostly brothers from newspapers and radio stations in the northern mountainous region, had no experience at sea and because they were too focused on their work, they stood at the bow of the boat. As a result, the boat tilted forward, water flooded in, damaging all the equipment. The group of reporters from Ninh Thuan Radio and Television Station was on the third boat so luckily they were safe.
At these times, we can see the solidarity of the press reporters. So the whole group of reporters sat down, discussed and planned their work. Those who were lucky enough not to go on the second boat trip enthusiastically supported the reporters of newspapers and radio stations in the northern mountainous region, so that they could have news and reports to broadcast in their localities. We are very happy to have supported many colleagues at television stations in the northern provinces such as Son La, Ha Giang , Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen... Reporter Do Tuan Nam, Thai Nguyen Radio and Television Station confided: Most of his damaged equipment was personally provided. The incident on this trip to Truong Sa was probably the most memorable for him in his career as a journalist. And above all, the feelings and sharing are what remained in him after this meaningful work trip.
For the group of reporters from Ninh Thuan Radio and Television, in addition to supporting our brothers in the newspapers and radio stations in the Northern region, we also took the opportunity to find soldiers from Ninh Thuan to record and interview. The happiness and emotion were hard to describe when we met our fellow countrymen from Ninh Thuan on the outpost archipelago of the Fatherland. Fortunately, on this trip, we met many new recruits and soldiers who were on duty in Truong Sa. Soldier Chau Van Kiet from Xuan Hai commune, Ninh Hai district said: This is the first year Kiet celebrates Tet on Song Tu Tay island, part of Truong Sa archipelago. The affection of his comrades and compatriots from the mainland helps him feel secure and determined to complete the task assigned by the Fatherland. Kiet asked us to send Tet greetings to his family and compatriots on the mainland through images and confidences in a series of television reports broadcast during the recent Tet holiday.
Experience working on islands
According to the leader of Brigade 146, Naval Region 4, each year the unit sends more than 300 reporters from news agencies to work in the Truong Sa archipelago. For each working trip, the Brigade has prepared very carefully for the team of reporters. The experience to go to sea well during the season of big waves and strong winds is that the team of reporters and journalists need to equip themselves with compact equipment, minimal personal belongings, when getting on and off the ship, they must comply with the orders of the working group and especially the living hours must comply with the military environment throughout the journey at sea.
After many times working in Truong Sa, I myself have also drawn many experiences for myself during the process of working. First, you must be calm before moving from the big ship to the canoe to the island and the reverse journey from the island, via the canoe to the navy ship, because calmness will help reporters choose the right wave point to move. At the same time, before each trip, you need to prepare yourself mentally and be determined to overcome all difficulties and obstacles.
Truong Sa is always deeply present in the hearts of every reporter and journalist so that they always feel responsible for doing their job better, and appreciate more the profession they have chosen. For journalists, being able to overcome the storms to Truong Sa to work, to see and set foot on the sacred islands of the Fatherland is an honor and pride. The trip is not only an experience but also a responsibility and civic duty of journalists so that people across the country trust and feel secure with the sovereignty milestones of the Fatherland; so that every cadre, soldier and every citizen on the island understands that the people of the whole country always look towards Truong Sa, all for the beloved Truong Sa. Despite the harsh climate and difficult conditions, the beauty of the homeland's sea and islands, the stories of the island soldiers, and the process of working here have left many unforgettable memories in life for journalists in general and me personally.
Minh Tuan
Source: https://baoninhthuan.com.vn/news/153613p1c30/truong-sa-trong-toi.htm
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