Lesson 5: Early Tet Celebration at the Front Line
The journey to deliver Tet gifts has reached the last platform, DK1/15. This is one of the two most modern platforms in the DK1 platform system on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland, a third-generation platform, repaired, upgraded, and put into operation since September 2011.
The difference between the DK1/15 platform and the first-generation (built in 1989) and second-generation (built in 1990) platforms is its sturdy, interconnected structure. With many enclosed, airy rooms that provide shade and protection from rain and wind, the soldiers here call the DK1/15 platform "a city platform in the middle of the ocean." Compared to the old platform, the new platform is equipped with a solar panel system three times larger. Therefore, during the rainy season, even without sunlight, the soldiers still have electricity for lighting, daily activities, cooking, and running the refrigerator.
Living in a spacious base amidst the vast ocean, the spirit and solidarity of the soldiers have grown stronger. Every Monday morning, they dress neatly in their solemn Navy uniforms and sing the national anthem under the vibrant red flag with a yellow star. Captain Nguyen Trung Dung, Deputy Commander of the DK1/15 Platform, shared: "Every time I stand under the national flag, I feel proud to contribute a small part to safeguarding the sacred sovereignty of our nation's seas and skies."
After lunch, the officers and soldiers continued their work as usual. For the reporters, the afternoon on the offshore platform was the first time in over two days and nights that they weren't rocking along with the waves. Accompanying our delegation, besides food, water, yellow apricot blossoms, and banana leaves, were letters filled with the heartfelt feelings of mothers, wives, brothers, sisters, and loved ones from the mainland, encouraging the soldiers to focus on their work and have a happy Tet holiday.
At the offshore platform amidst the vast ocean, today felt like a grand celebration. The platform staff celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) early to share the joy with the members of the delegation. The first task was wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). Dong leaves, mung beans, and sticky rice were sent from the mainland. Everyone had a task: some washed and trimmed the dong leaves, others steamed the mung beans, some marinated the pork, and others washed the rice. Once all the ingredients were ready, everyone pitched in to wrap the cakes. Lieutenant Nguyen Minh Hong, who directly wrapped the banh chung, said: “Celebrating Tet at the offshore platform is relatively materially comfortable, with banh chung, pork, apricot blossoms… Therefore, the soldiers no longer feel deprived.” At over three in the morning, the cakes were taken out of the pot, and the soldiers woke up to butcher the pork.
The pig, weighing nearly 100 kilograms, has been raised at the offshore platform for almost a year. Besides a portion for guests, the rest is used gradually. Captain Dung said that every two months or so, the soldiers ask the ship to bring chickens and pigs to raise. Therefore, there is always plenty of meat and fish on the platform. In the morning, the work was finished; two pairs of green sticky rice cakes, a plate of sticky rice with chicken, and a tray of five kinds of fruit were placed on the altar dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh. Everyone in the delegation lit an incense stick to commemorate the beloved leader of the nation. Laughter and conversation filled the platform again as people greeted each other, asked about work, and inquired about family…
Soldiers wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to celebrate Tet.
Amidst the vast expanse of water, wine, meat, sticky rice cakes, candies… were laid out. Major Thuong raised his glass to toast everyone's health. Many stories from home and shared personal feelings of the soldiers were shared. Then the festivities continued with karaoke. The simple, heartfelt songs of the soldiers rang out. After the joyful moments came a silence. That moment seemed to linger; some wept. They cried not because of hardship, but because of homesickness and the joy of this sacred moment with their comrades.
And Tet has arrived at the DK1 offshore platforms. Another new year has come, with challenges ahead, but we believe that the soldiers will always remain steadfast and resilient in the face of all storms, to guard the seas and skies of our homeland.
Pham Bang (Email from DK1 Platform)
