The beautiful culture of naval soldiers.

VHO - Amidst the vast Trường Sa archipelago and the DK1 platform, soldiers silently steer small boats, transporting people and goods through the stormy seas. For them, this arduous work is not just a duty but has become a way of life: unconditional dedication and sacrifice, contributing to the beautiful cultural values ​​of Vietnamese naval soldiers.

Braving the waves, Lieutenant Kien's boat crew carried the delegation to the DK1 offshore platform.

To transport thousands of delegates, goods, and gifts from the mainland to the islands and reefs of the Truong Sa archipelago and the DK1 platform, the soldiers operating the boats are likened to "ferrymen on the open sea." For them, the CQ boat is a close friend, the ship is their home, and the sea is their homeland. For 365 days a year, they spend most of their time amidst the waves and storms, sharing the joys and sorrows of the ocean. These journeys follow one another, silently but persistently, as an essential part of a soldier's life...

A lifetime of "steering" through turbulent waters.

With 14 years of military service, including 8 years serving on CQ boats, Senior Lieutenant Tran Trung Kien, the commander of boat 561 (Naval Region 4), has transported people and goods from ships to islands, submerged reefs, and the DK1 platform hundreds of times. But for him, each trip remains a tense experience as he faces new challenges.

The job of "steering" in the open sea requires not only physical fitness and skills but also unwavering courage. "In the vast ocean, with unpredictable waves and storms, you never know what might happen. To safely transport passengers and goods to the island, you need thorough preparation, experience, and a willingness to face danger," Lieutenant Kien shared.

In his memory, the trip to take the Ho Chi Minh City delegation to visit Da Tay Island was an unforgettable experience. That day, the waves weren't big, but the wind was strong and it was drizzling. The ship anchored about 2 nautical miles from the island. More than 260 people, along with dozens of tons of gifts, were transported to the island in small boats. On the fifth trip, when they were about 60 meters from the island, the boat suddenly ran aground due to the low tide. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Kien jumped into the sea and exerted all his strength to push the boat. Sharp pieces of coral cut his legs, drawing blood. When the boat was freed from the shallows, the sailor continued steering as if nothing had happened. "Only when the delegation arrived safely on the island did we feel relieved," he said.

First Lieutenant Tran Trung Kien

Bringing tourists to the island was difficult enough, but getting them back to the boat amidst the storm was even harder. That afternoon, a sudden thunderstorm broke out. The sea rain poured down relentlessly. But the boat trips didn't stop. Because for them, the safety of every person on board was paramount.

Having spent nearly 30 years at sea, Major Hoang Hai Ly understands every wave and current. "Dawning at the DK1 platform is more difficult than landing on an island. If the steering isn't steady, the boat could be sucked into the base by the waves, and danger could strike in an instant," he said.

Those experiences were accumulated not only over time, but also through life-or-death situations in the face of danger – where a soldier's character is forged through each treacherous wave.

Live beautifully in silence.

In 2025, the Navy organized 26 voyages to take more than 1,500 delegates and overseas Vietnamese to visit Truong Sa and the DK1 platform. After a long journey at sea, the ships stopped at the designated coordinates.

From here, the CQ boats continued their silent work – carrying people across the final stretch to reach the island. When they were still a few dozen meters from the shore, a guide rope was thrown, and hands on the island caught it, pulling the boat to the dock. The moment they set foot on the sacred land of their homeland amidst the vast ocean, many couldn't hide their emotions. But for the soldiers piloting the boats, the joy was simple and quiet: Another peaceful journey!

The CQ boat, piloted by Lieutenant Tran Huu Thang, transported people from the ship to the DK1 platform.

Lieutenant Tran Huu Thang, a non-commissioned officer on the CQ boat of ship 571, has just returned from numerous voyages serving the early election. His face is tanned by the sun, his hair dry and brittle from the sea salt, but his smile remains radiant. “The greatest happiness is safely transporting passengers to the islands and then bringing them back to the ship unharmed. We are happy to have contributed to bringing Truong Sa and DK1 closer to the hearts of the people,” he shared.

For three years, Thang hadn't returned to his hometown in Thanh Hoa . His calls home were usually brief and hurried, caught up in the hustle and bustle of work. On the other end of the line, his parents kept bringing up the topic of marriage. He would just smile gently, postponing it: "I'm still young..." or "the time hasn't come yet." He said that, but deep down, he understood he still "owed" his parents a daughter-in-law, a simple wish of parents back home.

However, he spent most of his youth at sea, tirelessly navigating the vast ocean in his boats. Amidst his unfinished personal affairs, he and his comrades quietly chose to prioritize their duty above all else. For them, this sacrifice was not ostentatious or name-calling; it had become a way of life—the way of life of naval soldiers always ready to dedicate their personal lives to missions for the benefit of others.

Sacrifice becomes a cultural value.

Another sea voyage towards Truong Sa and DK1 begins. For the soldiers navigating the boats, it's time to step into a familiar "battlefield," where each trip is a test. But what's truly valuable isn't just their courage or skill, but the way they choose to live and dedicate themselves. Sacrifice isn't something grand; it has become a habit, a way of life for these naval soldiers. They are like "bridges" connecting Truong Sa to the mainland, contributing to the deeper and wider spread of love for the islands and seas in the hearts of every Vietnamese person.

It is from these ordinary people that a cultural value is nurtured: the culture of dedication, of a spirit of selflessness, of a beautiful way of life amidst the vast ocean. This beautiful way of life is preserved day after day, quietly and persistently, like the waves that never cease crashing against the shore.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/chinh-polit/van-hoa-dep-cua-nguoi-linh-bien-213098.html