Returning to Truong Sa: Special working trip of Vietnam Journalists Association

Within the framework of activities towards the 100th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925 - June 21, 2025), a delegation of the Vietnam Journalists Association made a special trip to visit soldiers and people on Truong Sa archipelago and DK1 platform.

Thăm Trường Sa: Chuyến công tác đặc biệt của Hội Nhà báo Việt Nam

The delegation took a souvenir photo at the sovereignty marker on Truong Sa Island. (Source: Vietnam Navy)

Special itinerary

This is the first time the Vietnam Journalists Association has organized a visit to encourage the soldiers and people of Truong Sa island district and DK1 platform on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland. Journalist Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission, President of the Vietnam Journalists Association led the delegation, together with journalist Nguyen Duc Loi, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association and 100 leaders and reporters from press agencies and journalist associations nationwide.

Accompanying the delegation, Colonel Do Hong Duyen, Deputy Commissar of Naval Region 2 Command, was the Head of the delegation, directly commanding the journey with Lieutenant Colonel Pham Ngoc Hung, Deputy Commissar of the Training Center, Naval Region 2 Command.

On the morning of May 23, from Naval Region 2 - Ho Chi Minh City, working group No. 25 officially boarded ship KN-290, starting a special 7-day voyage to Truong Sa and DK1 Platform. Present at the flag-raising ceremony and departure at Cat Lai port, to begin the voyage, every delegate was filled with emotion, pride, and sacred responsibility for the sea, islands, and beloved Vietnam.

The special journey to the sacred islands of the Fatherland is not only an activity to celebrate the milestone of a century of Revolutionary Journalism but also demonstrates the spirit of "all towards the islands" of the team of journalists nationwide.

Working group No. 25 boarded ship KN-290 to visit Truong Sa. (Source: Vietnam Navy)

Connecting the army and people

During the working trip, the delegation visited, worked and organized many exchange activities at the islands of Da Thi, Sinh Ton, Co Lin, Len Dao, Da Tay A, Truong Sa and DK1/19 platform. The delegation attended the flag-raising ceremony, commemorated martyrs, visited, presented gifts and encouraged the officers, soldiers and people living and working here.

The delegation also visited cultural works, places where soldiers lived, studied and worked; offered incense at spiritual areas on the islands, participated in tree planting activities and organized competitions for writing poems, essays, photos, clips and reports right on the ship. Many works were awarded at the summary of the journey, not only as journalistic products but also as heartfelt voices of journalists for the beauty, will and spirit of Truong Sa.

The delegation offered incense at the Monument of the Unnumbered Ships of Brigade 125, Naval Region 2. (Source: Vietnam Navy)

The voyage is not only an occasion to show gratitude, but also a practical action of journalists - "soldiers on the ideological front" - towards the frontline of the Fatherland. Through this, journalists will have more authentic and emotional material to reflect the life, thoughts and steely spirit of the Truong Sa soldiers and people, while strongly spreading the message of protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands to the public nationwide and international friends.

This is also an opportunity for the press team to strengthen the spirit of solidarity and unity, continue the mission of accompanying the cause of protecting the Fatherland in peacetime, constantly innovate, and promote the power of communication in the digital age.

Spreading social responsibility

Leaders of the Vietnam Journalists Association presented gifts to officers and soldiers on Co Lin Island. (Source: Vietnam Navy)

Meaningful activities such as the “Hi-green for a green Truong Sa” cross-country race in response to the campaign to plant 1 million trees on Truong Sa archipelago; tug-of-war competition between groups in Truong Sa town; competition to learn about the 70-year tradition of the Vietnam People’s Navy; writing competition, composing new works about Truong Sa, DK1 Platform and performing arts competition between groups in the working group... not only create a cohesive atmosphere but also demonstrate the enduring vitality of the spirit of military-civilian solidarity.

Sharing about the significance of the trip, Mr. Le Quoc Minh emphasized: “This special working trip is not only an opportunity to visit and encourage cadres, soldiers and people at the forefront, but also demonstrates the spirit of solidarity, responsibility, affection and deep gratitude of the press towards those who are day and night guarding the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland.”

On this occasion, the President of the Vietnam Journalists Association launched an emulation movement within the group with the theme "Solidarity, loyalty, achievements, determination to win".

Journalist Le Quoc Minh gives a speech to encourage officers, soldiers and people on Truong Sa island. (Source: Vietnam Navy)

Not only was the trip to acknowledge and convey, the delegation also brought meaningful gifts, expressing the deep affection of the people of the whole country for the cadres, soldiers and people - those who are persistently staying at the forefront day and night, preserving the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Accordingly, the Vietnam Journalists Association, Nhan Dan Newspaper and units: Vietnam Television Center in Ho Chi Minh City, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency, Thanh Nien , VnExpress , Vietnamnet , The Gioi va Viet Nam , Nong Nghiep va Moi Troi, Phu Nu Thu Do , Nong Thon Ngay Nay newspapers, along with the Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Vietnam Tobacco Corporation, press units, Provincial Journalists Associations, and enterprises have supported 1.7 billion VND for the Navy to build CQ-01 boats.

Along with that, the delegation also presented other practical gifts worth nearly 1 billion VND to officers, soldiers and people on the islands.

Continue the epic song

On the waves of Truong Sa, journalists not only work but also live, feel, love and write with all their hearts. This journey, as shared by journalist Nguyen Truong Son, Editor-in-Chief of The Gioi and Viet Nam Newspaper , is a business trip of special emotions and impressions.

Journalist Nguyen Truong Son (far left) and representatives of the Vietnam Journalists Association and leaders of press agencies presented gifts to visit and encourage officers and soldiers on Len Dao island. (Source: Vietnam Navy)

“The seven-day trip was filled with new experiences and new ideas. Coming to Truong Sa and returning with the deepest feelings about the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland, about the silent sacrifices of our army and people, I personally as well as The Gioi and Viet Nam Newspaper will contribute more and more practically to the cause of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands,” Mr. Nguyen Truong Son affirmed.

Truong Sa, the sacred sea and islands, is now protected not only by guns and will, but also by images, articles, and reports filled with patriotism. And from there, the voice of the revolutionary press continues to resonate strongly, responsibly, and with aspiration on the journey to preserve the sovereignty of every inch of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

The trip to Truong Sa, a living symbol of Vietnam's sovereignty and will, marked an important milestone for Vietnam's revolutionary journalism, not only an opportunity to review the journey of a century of journalism accompanying the nation, but also a journey to continue writing golden pages with the hearts and minds of writers of the new era, worthy of the trust of the Party and the people.

Some pictures of the trip:

Head of the working delegation and delegates greet the port. (Source: Vietnam Navy)

The delegation offered incense at the Monument of the Unnumbered Ships of Brigade 125, Naval Region 2. (Source: Vietnam Navy)

Memorial ceremony for heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting the sovereignty of sea and islands. (Source: Vietnam Navy)