Touching photos of Truong Sa 30 years ago

In May 1988, the Ministry of National Defense and the Navy organized a visit to Truong Sa on ships 861 and 961.

On that trip was journalist Nguyen Viet Thai, a reporter in charge of domestic affairs and the military for Phu Khanh newspaper, and he recorded valuable images of the lives of soldiers in Truong Sa during those days. The soldiers, as described by journalist Nguyen Viet Thai, "lack many things, bear the scorching sun on their backs, face fierce waves, countless dangers, but are still optimistic and extremely romantic".

Soldiers on Truong Sa Lon Island (also known as Truong Sa Island in 1988)

On May 4, 1988, departing from Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa) on two ships 961 and 861. Ship 961 carried a group of reporters, cameramen, artists, musicians and a number of officers from various branches, while ship 861 carried General Le Duc Anh (then Politburo member, Minister of National Defense) and Admiral Giap Van Cuong (Commander of the Navy) along with many senior officers from various branches.

After a journey of more than 250 nautical miles, at 8:00 a.m. on May 6, the group arrived at the first destination of the working trip, Da Lat Island. Here, journalist Nguyen Viet Thai took this photo and named it "Young soldiers on Da Lat Island". "This is one of my favorite photos of the trip, because it shows the optimism of young soldiers in the face of the scorching sun of the remote island and the countless dangers at the top of the waves and winds" - Journalist Nguyen Viet Thai shared.

Soldiers digging fortifications on Truong Sa Lon Island. The spirit of combat readiness is always high,…

…that is shown in hasty meals right on the firecracker tray like this.

May 1988, panoramic view of Phan Vinh Island - the island named after the captain of the ship without number.

General Le Duc Anh (wearing glasses, sitting in the middle) and Admiral Giap Van Cuong (far right) take a souvenir photo with soldiers on Phan Vinh Island.

Soldiers on Phan Vinh island use nets to catch fish.

Panoramic view of Thuyen Chai Island. From left is the wooden house with wooden legs, about 30 square meters wide, with a corrugated iron roof and wooden floor. Next is the first generation of permanent houses, made of split stone. Finally, a barge (the island soldiers at that time often called it a pontoon), anchored firmly to the coral reef with many anchors, each weighing 1 ton. On the pontoon there is a food storage compartment, living space and many other tools.

The flag-raising ceremony at the beginning of the week on Thuyen Chai Island is held on the island's pontoon.

Admiral Giap Van Cuong demonstrates during a live-fire exercise.

The island soldiers entertained themselves and avoided the scorching sun on the lower floor of the high-rise building on Thuyen Chai Island. Entertainment at that time consisted of listening to cassette tapes, playing the guitar, or reading letters and newspapers… “Every time a newspaper arrived on the island, the soldiers passed it around and read it until it was torn to shreds because there were only a few ships visiting the island in the whole year, bringing food, letters, books and newspapers…” – Journalist Nguyen Viet Thai recalled.

Each visit to the island was accompanied by video projection teams to serve the island soldiers. Watching videos at that time was a “luxury” entertainment for Truong Sa soldiers.

Cleaning and preserving weapons under the harsh sunlight and roaring waves of Truong Sa.

Soldiers on the submerged islands lived and fought in houses like this. “Like a fragile leaf in the face of storms and ocean waves” – described by journalist Nguyen Viet Thai. Photo taken at Da Dong Island, May 1988.

After the high-rise buildings, some islands and island points have received attention and investment from the Party and Government to build split stone houses (first generation of durable houses). In the photo: Building split stone houses on Tien Nu Island.

Engineer soldiers bathing after a day of being exposed to the scorching sun and sea waves. In Truong Sa at that time, bathing in fresh water was a luxury…

…and simple meals to prepare for a day tomorrow full of rocks and burning sun.

Late musician Xuan An (playing the guitar, author of the song “Truong Sa Rain”) and singer Thanh Thanh – Hai Dang Song and Dance Troupe, sang for Truong Sa soldiers next to the artillery tray.

Singer Thanh Thanh sang and took the time to sew clothes for the island soldiers.

According to TTVH