Lesson 3: Green shoots in Truong Sa

(Baonghean) - Life on the Truong Sa archipelago is simple and full of human warmth. There, people are silently clinging to the sea and islands, focusing on economic development and building warm, happy families. Amidst the sun, wind, and storms, life continues to flourish, and generations of citizens continue to be born on this frontier land…

In early summer, the Trường Sa Islands are bathed in scorching sun. The waves and winds of the East Sea carry moisture that clings to visitors from the mainland, creating a salty, burning sensation. Surrounded by the vast ocean, Sinh Tồn Island emerges with its lush green trees stretching as far as the eye can see. The small road leading to the residential area on Sinh Tồn Island is marked by a charming sign. Near the end of the road, we visited the youngest resident of Sinh Tồn Island: Phan Ngọc Hân, nearly one month old, the second daughter of Mr. Nguyễn Minh Châu and Ms. Phan Thị Thương. Welcoming us like family, bringing the warmth of the mainland to their small house nestled at the foot of the waves, the young couple always wore happy smiles.

The couple, originally from Cam Hai Tay commune, Cam Lam district, Khanh Hoa province, moved to Truong Sa to start their lives. After their first daughter started first grade, their small house was filled with joy when Ms. Thuong became pregnant with their second child. Despite being far from the mainland and facing difficulties with medical care and prenatal checkups, with the help of doctors and nurses at the Sinh Ton island commune's infirmary, Ms. Thuong went into labor in early April and both mother and child were healthy, bringing happiness to the family and kind neighbors – the cheerful naval soldiers. “When I heard my daughter’s cry, I wanted to shout with happiness. Not knowing what else to do, I ran around the island and shouted like a child who had just caught a snail or a fish in the sea for the first time,” Mr. Nguyen Minh Chau recalled the special moment of his life. In the lovely rocking hammock, little Ngoc Han seemed to understand her parents' feelings. Although sleeping soundly, the little girl occasionally smiled, as if to dispel the oppressive heat of Truong Sa.

Colonel Pham Van Quang - Head of the Propaganda Department of the Navy, and the children on Sinh Ton Island - Truong Sa.

Leaving the residential area on the island, we followed a tree-lined path to visit the spacious and sturdy school. Young teacher Lo Anh Duc explained that Sinh Ton Primary School, built under the "For the Beloved Students of Truong Sa" program of the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund, had just been inaugurated and serves as a shared home for teachers and students on the island. Even though it was a holiday, the children were still playing happily in the schoolyard. Teacher Duc confided that in this land full of sunshine and wind, the bond between teachers, students, and parents is incredibly simple and special. Teacher Duc's hometown is in Thanh Hoa province, but he grew up in Khanh Hoa.

Even while still a student majoring in Education, the slender young man with a gentle smile participated in volunteer movements and applied to teach in Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) as soon as he received his diploma. “The first few days teaching on the island were very sad. Far from the mainland, far from family and friends, but the affection of the soldiers and civilians on the island quickly compensated for the sadness of young people like us. The first time a student brought me a fish and said it was from his father's fishing trip, I couldn't hold back my tears,” Teacher Duc recalled. Because of their busy teaching schedules, the young teachers on the island don't have time to grow vegetables or fish for supplementary income, but they still always receive special gifts from parents: sea fish, bunches of water spinach, and amaranth. “It’s hard to find anywhere else where the bond between parents, teachers, and students is as simple yet warm as in Truong Sa. On holidays like November 20th and Tet (Lunar New Year), the teachers are treated to simple meals of water spinach and dried fish organized by the local authorities and parents, filled with human kindness. During storms, teachers, parents, and soldiers alike struggle against the elements in Truong Sa. It’s hard work, but we’re united and very happy,” affirmed young teacher Nguyen Ngoc Ha, 24 years old.

Children on Sinh Ton Island play after school.

Having served as a naval soldier in the Spratly Islands, after his discharge he married a woman from Khanh Hoa province and requested to live and work in the Spratly Islands. “Since my time in the army, I’ve wanted to live in the Spratly Islands. Here, we have favorable and abundant fishing grounds, and we live surrounded by the love and support of the naval soldiers and good neighbors. My children also have good educational opportunities, not much different from those on the mainland,” Hoai confided. Next to Hoai’s house is the family of Nguyen Phong Danh and Phan Thi Nhu Trinh. This young couple is the most famous in the island’s residential area because of their enormous gourd vines and papaya tree laden with fruit behind their house, providing enough vegetables for 3-4 households regularly. Both were born in Cam Lam district, Khanh Hoa province, and moved to the Spratly Islands. They now have two children; the eldest is in first grade, and the youngest is still in the cradle. Every day, Mr. Danh goes to sea, while Ms. Trinh stays at home taking care of the children's studies and meals. Occasionally, when the commune's People's Committee has work to do, both husband and wife pitch in to help with tasks such as sweeping and cooking.

There are currently 13 children on Truong Sa Lon Island, the second and third generations born there. Like on other islands in the Truong Sa archipelago, they attend primary school on the island and then go to the mainland to study secondary school. Despite living in harsh conditions, far from the mainland, and enduring terrible storms and strong winds from a young age, these children are remarkably healthy and resilient. Even at a young age, the spirit of the sea is deeply ingrained in their voices, skin, and hair. They all love each other like a family. Speaking about the young sprouts of Truong Sa, Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Truong Sa Town, happily boasts that despite the difficult conditions and limited educational equipment, the students there excel academically. All of them achieve excellent grades upon entering secondary school on the mainland.

Before leaving Truong Sa Lon Island, we asked the children of Truong Sa to sing a song together. The biggest surprise was that they all volunteered to sing the Truong Sa Military Song, repeating the chorus over and over: “This sea is ours. This island is ours. Truong Sa…” Island commander Nguyen Van Hoa explained that this is their “island anthem,” sung daily. “Although they are young, every child dreams of becoming a soldier in Truong Sa. Despite storms and hardships, our Truong Sa will always remain green and steadfast, like the Phong Ba tree in the wind. You children are the next generation, the true owners of this heroic archipelago,” the cheerful island commander said, his laughter ringing out in the afternoon sea breeze.

Text and photos:Nguyen Khoa