Co Lin Island: Standing firm amidst the sun and wind of the Truong Sa archipelago.

(Baonghean.vn) - In the history of protecting Vietnam's maritime sovereignty, names like Gac Ma, Co Lin, Len Dao, etc., have become immortal with their heroic and tragic epics. Following in the heroic tradition of previous generations, today, Co Lin Island is becoming a solid outpost at the forefront of the Fatherland.

Co Lin Island is a submerged island, part of the Sinh Ton island chain in the Spratly Islands, located 9 nautical miles southwest of Sinh Ton Island and approximately 1.9 nautical miles from Gac Ma Island, which is illegally occupied by China. It is a submerged coral reef in the shape of a slightly curved triangle, each side measuring about 1 nautical mile. At high tide, the entire reef is submerged; at low tide, some isolated rocks are visible.

Whenever delegations pass through the Co Lin Island area, they hold a memorial ceremony.

In the history of defending Vietnam's maritime sovereignty, the names Co Lin, Gac Ma, and Len Dao have truly become immortal, associated with the heroic and tragic epic of the Truong Sa Islands. Following the directive of the Naval Command regarding the implementation of the CQ88 mission, on March 13, 1988, the ship HQ 505, commanded by Captain Vu Huy Le, arrived at Co Lin Island, bringing materials to build the island. On the morning of March 14, 1988, we planted two national flags on Co Lin Island. Outside, the enemy, using several modern warships, continuously engaged in acts of intimidation, provocation, and obstruction of our troops' activities. Despite this, the officers and soldiers on the island and on the ship resolutely restrained themselves and refused to fall into the enemy's trap.

Releasing flowers into the sea to commemorate the heroic martyrs who bravely sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting maritime sovereignty.

However, with their ambition to invade the Spratly Islands, the enemy brazenly attacked our forces. Heavy artillery on their warships fired in succession, attacking the HQ 505, damaging its main engine. At this point, Captain Vu Huy Le decided to ram the ship onto Co Lin Island, determined to defend the island. It was an unequal battle against an enemy with modern weapons, including artillery and machine guns, against our transport ships and infantry. Despite this, with unwavering determination, "as long as there are people, there is the island," sacrificing to the last drop of blood to protect our maritime sovereignty, our army forced the enemy to retreat. We held onto Co Lin Island after Gac Ma Island was captured.

The submerged island of Cô Lin seen from a distance.

In that unequal battle, 64 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy fell, their blood staining the sea and islands of their homeland. The sea area around Co Lin and Gac Ma islands has now become a special cemetery, which naval soldiers still call the "Red Cemetery." All delegations, military vessels, and fishermen passing through this area hold memorial ceremonies, release incense and flowers into the sea, and sound their horns three times to commemorate them.

The national flag flies atop a house on Co Lin Island.

Being a submerged reef, accessing the area for excavation is very difficult and requires a guide.

Thanks to the attention of the Party, the State, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Navy, Co Lin Island is transforming day by day with the construction of sturdy, durable buildings and wind and solar energy systems, contributing to improving the quality of life for officers and soldiers on the island. At night, Co Lin resembles a giant lighthouse, shimmering magically, full of life amidst the Truong Sa archipelago.

A delegation led by Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Hung visited Co Lin Island.

Although the island's freshwater supply depends entirely on rainwater and water supplies from the mainland, through ingenuity, courage, and perseverance, the officers and soldiers on Co Lin Island have become self-sufficient in rainwater, making it one of the submerged islands with the largest water reserves in the Truong Sa archipelago. Annually, the island produces over 800 kg of vegetables and over 600 kg of fish, etc.

A reporter from Nghe An Newspaper spoke with the commander of Co Lin Island.

Building upon the heroic fighting tradition and unwavering solidarity in overcoming difficulties and safeguarding sovereignty of the Truong Sa Regiment, successive generations of officers and soldiers on Co Lin Island have continued to write glorious chapters in history. Not only have they excelled in safeguarding the sovereignty of their homeland's maritime territories, but Con Lin also serves as a stronghold for Vietnamese fishermen in the Truong Sa fishing grounds.

The officers and soldiers on Co Lin Island are always highly focused and ready to fight in any situation to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation's seas and islands. In the photo, Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Thuy, from Thinh Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, Nghe An province, is on duty on Co Lin Island.

The Hau Giang Provincial Performing Arts Troupe brought their songs to the officers and soldiers on Co Lin Island.

Lieutenant Nguyen Van Ba, political officer of Co Lin Island, said that with its achievements in training, combat readiness, island defense, and protecting fishermen, Co Lin Island has been honored with many prestigious awards from the Party, the State, and the Navy, rightfully earning its place as a solid shield at the most important outpost of the Fatherland.

Nguyen Khoa