A special assignment by a journalist in military uniform.
For journalists, working in the Spratly Islands is always an honor and a source of pride. However, for those who have visited the DK1 platform, those trips always bring incredibly special emotions. Visiting the DK1 platform in the East Sea, every Vietnamese person in general, and journalists in particular, feels even more proud of their country, of their homeland's seas and islands.
A memorable business trip to the DK1 platform.
"For journalists, everyone wants to go to Truong Sa, especially if you get to visit the DK1 platform on the southern continental shelf, you will find it incredibly special... The emotions we experience witnessing the lives of naval soldiers guarding the sea day and night make us even more proud of our homeland, our seas and islands, and the mission entrusted to us by the nation."Journalist and Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Trung, working at the Military Region 4 Newspaper, shared about his special assignment.
Around Tet (Lunar New Year) 2023, journalist Hoang Trung had the honor of being among 50 reporters from central and local media agencies, both within and outside the military, who were on board the Truong Sa ship to visit and extend New Year greetings to the Truong Sa archipelago and the DK1 offshore platforms. Departing from the Ba Ria Vung Tau Naval Port, that year's ship carried essential Tet supplies along with deep affection from the mainland towards Truong Sa and the DK1 platforms in the East Sea.
After many days at sea, many reporters, especially female reporters, were exhausted from seasickness. Thanks to the dedicated care of the naval ship's cooks, the health of the crew members gradually recovered.“The first feeling upon seeing the DK1 platform in the middle of the ocean was special. A small steel structure, yet standing proudly amidst the relentless, fierce waves. At that moment, all feelings of fatigue almost vanished…”Journalist Hoang Trung shared his first impressions upon seeing the offshore platform in the middle of the ocean.
He recounted: "That day the sea was extremely rough, with many waves 3-5 meters high crashing against the base of the pylons, making it incredibly difficult to approach the Phuoc Nguyen 2 platform. From the large Navy ship, essential supplies were packed and wrapped in large plastic bags by officers and soldiers and transferred to smaller boats using a system of ropes hundreds of meters long."
“During that trip, I took many beautiful photos, including a photo essay published in the Military Region 4 Newspaper. I was truly impressed by the images of the tightly bound sacks and packages being pulled up to the offshore platform by soldiers using a rope system. It showed me how much hardship, deprivation, and sacrifice our soldiers have to overcome to successfully complete their mission of protecting the sea and islands.”Mr. Hoang Trung recalls a memorable moment at the Phuc Nguyen 2 offshore platform.
Due to rough seas, access to the DK1 platform was impossible that day. About 5 hours later, after all the Tet supplies were transported to the platform, the commander, Colonel Pham Quyet Tien – Deputy Commander of Region 2, ordered a farewell to the officers and soldiers on the Phuc Nguyen 2 platform to move to another platform. According to the plan, we had to visit about 11 platforms to deliver Tet gifts from the Ministry of National Defense and the Navy, as well as gifts from local authorities, to the soldiers.
“The farewell moment was truly moving. After the commander's greetings, reporter Nguyen Thi Bich Phuong from the Lao Dong Newspaper, on behalf of all the journalists and reporters, sent New Year's wishes to the officers and soldiers on the offshore platform. When she picked up the microphone, Bich Phuong was speechless with emotion, her eyes reddened, and her throat tightened, unable to speak…”Journalist Hoang Trung fondly recalls a special moment when he visited the offshore platform during Tet 2023.
Moved by the flag-raising ceremony on the DK1 offshore platform.
"During my time on the offshore platform, the image that moved me the most was witnessing the flag-raising ceremony."Journalist Hoang Trung continued his story. On top of the platform there is an iron landing pad, normally used as a landing strip for helicopters visiting the platform.
On Mondays or holidays, this landing strip becomes a solemn space for the flag-raising ceremony. After the flag fades due to the sun and sea breeze, the officers and soldiers replace it with a new one before proceeding with the ceremony. During the ceremony, the platform commander provides updates on domestic and international events, ensuring the officers and soldiers are aware of their responsibilities in carrying out their duties.
“Looking at their sun-tanned faces, yet with eyes still shining with determination and resolve, we journalists believe that in a remote place like the East Sea, there are people silently sacrificing themselves every day and every hour for the peace of our country. Visiting the offshore platform, we understand even more the sacrifices of these naval soldiers.”Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Trung emotionally recounted stories of his comrades and the moment he participated in the flag-raising ceremony on the DK1 platform.
Journalist Hoang Trung reported that on Monday morning, all the DK1 offshore platforms on the Vietnamese continental shelf held this solemn ceremony. This shows that we have been and are building a solid bulwark, affirming the sacred sovereignty over the seas and islands of our Fatherland, a sovereignty that countless generations of Vietnamese people have bravely sacrificed to protect.
"The flag-raising ceremony is a regularly performed ritual, weekly, on the offshore platforms. Especially in the rather cramped conditions of the platforms, the flag-raising ceremony is still maintained. It is also an activity that helps officers and soldiers become aware of their responsibilities and be ready to excellently fulfill their assigned tasks."
Major Lam Van Hien - Commander of the DK1/10 offshore platform
According to journalist Hoang Trung, visiting Truong Sa and the DK1 platform brings back many memorable memories. Besides witnessing the sacrifices of the soldiers for the peace of the homeland, the moments spent meeting fellow countrymen from Nghe An province in this frontline island also evoke deep emotions.
Lieutenant Colonel Hoang Trung said: "While sitting on the ships and witnessing the lantern-releasing ceremony to commemorate the naval officers and soldiers who once lived, fought, and worked at the DK1 platform, I realized that the contributions and sacrifices of many young people today are nothing compared to those of the soldiers on the island." After that memorable trip, journalist Hoang Trung produced a series of photo reports such as:Touching images from the DK1 offshore platform.,hundreds of greeting cards sent to soldiersremote island, television report"Giving New Year greetings casually, exchanging gifts via wire."and many other meaningful articles that truthfully reflect the lives and feelings of soldiers on remote islands.
"Visiting Truong Sa and the DK1 platform made me love my homeland even more. For every Vietnamese person, the two words 'Homeland' encompass both the mainland and the sea and islands, which are so sacred!"Journalist Hoang Trung said.
