Trường Sa Chronicle: The Spirit of Departure

(Baonghean) - Carrying out the mission of replacing and withdrawing troops and delivering Tet gifts for the Year of the Goat 2015 from the mainland to Truong Sa, from January 5th, the ships of the 4th Naval Region set sail to 12 locations on the islands of Truong Sa Dong, Toc Tan, Phan Vinh, Tien Nu, and Nui Le according to a planned 25-day, 900 nautical mile (1,620 km) voyage. Accompanying them were reporters from central and provincial/city press agencies nationwide. Reporters from Nghe An Newspaper participated in the mission and wrote articles sent from Truong Sa, which will be published sequentially starting today (January 12th).

Leaders of Khanh Hoa province extend New Year greetings to the military and people of Truong Sa island district in the Year of the Goat (2015).

While March and April are typically calm months, this period is characterized by rough seas, strong winds, and large waves. What made this trip particularly special was that the members received the travel plans to the islands at the same time that newspapers and television stations were reporting on Typhoon No. 5 approaching the East Sea with waves reaching levels 5 and 6, and gusts up to levels 7 and 8. However, these weather warnings did not deter the long-held desire to embark on this journey, fueled by the sacred call of Truong Sa. From the evening of January 3rd, at the Naval Guest House of Region 4, the reporters heading to Truong Sa were already present. Journalist Ngoc Han from Quang Ninh Newspaper, a petite woman wearing thick glasses (7 diopters), said that she usually gets motion sickness even in cars, let alone a journey on the open sea. Everyone at her office was concerned for her, but Ngoc Han insisted that her agency allow her to go. And so, she overcame the nearly 2,000 km journey from Ha Long City to... Upon arriving at the assembly point in Cam Ranh, Ngoc Han felt that her efforts were insignificant compared to those of journalist Le Hoai Thanh, 50 years old, from the Hanoi Today section of Hanoi Moi Newspaper.

Journalist Le Hoai Thanh confided that she had to use her seniority within the agency to get priority for the trip to Truong Sa, because many people in the agency really wanted to go! The female journalist said that in 2014, when China's Haiyang 981 oil rig illegally deployed in waters under Vietnam's sovereignty, Hanoi Newspaper sent reporters to cover the event twice, and she volunteered both times, but the agency only assigned younger journalists. Therefore, when the Navy organized a fleet to "inaugurate Truong Sa" in 2015, she insisted on going. Even when she heard the storm warning, her enthusiasm for the trip remained undiminished.

Soldiers on duty, replacing troops, bid farewell to the mainland before heading to Truong Sa.

On the morning of January 5th, we reporters all woke up earlier than usual, eagerly awaiting the moment we could step onto the ship's deck. Some checked their equipment and vehicles, others practiced songs about Truong Sa, and still others carefully prepared gift boxes, tea bags, kettles, seasoning powders, dried shredded pork, poetry collections, and music albums... Each journalist brought their own gifts, carrying the warmth of the mainland to the soldiers and people of the heroic Truong Sa island district. The briefing on the regulations was quick and efficient. Colonel Nguyen Cong Son – Head of Political Affairs of the 4th Naval Region Command – chaired the meeting with the press before boarding the ship.

Originally from Dien Bich (Dien Chau), with a distinctive Nghe An accent, he stated confidently: "Comrades, you are going during the monsoon season. If you hear on the radio that there are monsoon winds in the North, two days later there will be strong winds and big waves in Truong Sa. But if you're going to sea, you should experience the waves, to better understand, appreciate, and admire the will of our ancestors who have preserved the sacred land of our Fatherland throughout history. Despite countless hardships and harsh conditions, we have never and will never waver in our resolve to protect and cling to the sea. Truong Sa is waiting for news from us. We go to feel more deeply the sacred sovereignty of our Fatherland, to understand more about the continuous growth and modernization of the military and people of Truong Sa island district." Some reporters asked further questions about the sea voyage and seafaring experiences... The colonel, a veteran of the seafaring profession, born and raised in the coastal province of Nghe An, whose battles and growth were closely linked to the sea, answered clearly, sharing his experiences to further strengthen the resolve of the reporters. In response to questions expressing concern about the Tet gifts prepared by the mainland for the Truong Sa island district, Colonel Nguyen Cong Son replied concisely: "Whatever is celebrated on the mainland during Tet of the Year of the Goat, will certainly be available in Truong Sa!" The entire hall applauded in response to his meaningful answer.

According to the plan, the ships were scheduled to depart at 5 PM on January 5th, but by 2 PM, Cam Ranh Naval Port was already bustling with activity. Comrade Tran Son Hai - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa Province, and representatives of civil servants, officials, and people from all walks of life in Khanh Hoa Province were present early to hand over packages of Tet gifts for the Year of the Goat to the soldiers and people of Truong Sa island district, loading them onto four ships divided into four routes to all the islands. Songs like "Where I Go Is a Distant Island," "Truong Sa Is So Close,"... resonated, urging everyone on. The late winter sunlight in the South Central region made the sky appear higher and clearer.

The weather during the farewell ceremony was unusually beautiful. A gentle breeze made the green stripes on the navy caps flutter, and soft waves gently lapped against the sides of the ship. The docks buzzed with laughter, handshakes, and friendly embraces as the young soldiers wished each other success in their mission. The laughter and voices at the docks mingled with the dialects of all three regions of Vietnam: North, Central, and South. Young soldier Nguyen Dang Cuong (born in 1995), from Thanh Da commune, Phuc Tho district (Hanoi), enlisted on April 15, 2014, and had only been home on leave once in September 2014. He received the news of his deployment to Da Dong Island just one day beforehand (on January 4th). Cuong said he only had time to call his parents and relatives.

The personal belongings of a naval soldier are simple and light: just three sets of uniforms, some personal items neatly packed in a backpack with a woven mat slung over the shoulder, and a small trunk carried in the hand. These are always ready, so they can be deployed immediately upon order. Like Cuong, the two friends Nguyen Duc Thang (born 1991) from Ward 2, District 3 (Ho Chi Minh City) and Dao Nguyen Tinh Thanh (born August 27, 1993) from Ward 11, Go Vap District (Ho Chi Minh City) only learned they would be going to the islands on Friday evening (January 3rd) and have already departed today. Both are "young men from Ho Chi Minh City," both entered Training Center 456, then were assigned to Battalion 862, Brigade 146. Now, Thang is assigned to Toc Tan Island, and Thanh is assigned to Son Ca Island. Without family members to see them off, Thang and Thanh walked arm in arm, chatting and encouraging each other, vowing to work together to successfully complete their mission.

The scene at Cam Ranh Port before departure.

The farewell ceremony on the mainland for those departing for the islands was solemn yet intimate, a spirited yet unusually moving experience. Rear Admiral Pham Thanh Hoa, Political Commissar of the 4th Naval Region Command, echoed in the sea breeze: “This trip has its advantages, but it is not without difficulties; the weather at sea is becoming increasingly complex. This further affirms the strong bond we have for the islands, capable of overcoming all obstacles. Four ships carrying four delegations bear the sacred sentiments of the mainland. You are fulfilling an important mission: to be messengers bringing the Year of the Goat (Tet At Mui) early to the islands, encouraging combat readiness, construction, and production, and providing additional spiritual strength and resources to stay on the islands, protect the sea, and build a prosperous and strong Truong Sa archipelago.” Mr. Tran Son Hai, Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa province, representing the people of Khanh Hoa, extended New Year greetings to the military and people of Truong Sa district, wishing them a warm and joyful traditional Tet holiday. In the evening sky, the atmosphere of Tet and the spirit of spring seemed to be drawing near.

Thanks to thorough preparation and meticulous execution, departure took place an hour earlier than planned. At 4:10 PM, the four large ships successively sounded their horns to bid farewell to the shore. Officers and soldiers on both sides of the ships solemnly performed the ceremony of saluting the mainland and those seeing them off. The deep, majestic sound of the ship's horns blended with the song "The Homeland Calls My Name" playing from the large loudspeaker at the pier, echoing throughout the space: "Sacred homeland…/ The torch of peace in my hand blazes brightly/…I listen to the homeland calling my name…".

And in this emotional moment, I also heard a part of our sacred homeland calling from the vast ocean of Truong Sa…

Ngo Kien

(Email from Truong Sa)