Celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) on a remote island.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the frontline islands, everywhere you hear the familiar voices and hear the resilience and courage of the people of Nghe An amidst the turbulent waves. There, the soldiers celebrate Tet and welcome the Spring while monitoring every wave and every scan on the radar screen to firmly protect the sacred airspace and sea of ​​the Fatherland.

Arriving on Ly Son Island when the apricot blossoms and chrysanthemum pots were displaying their vibrant yellow under the spring sun, we climbed nearly 200 meters up a steep slope to reach the highest peak (High Point 169) on Ly Son Island, where Radar Station 550 is located. Although exhausted after traveling over 180 nautical miles from Ly Son Island in rough seas, strong winds, and a steep incline, we were all very excited upon reaching our destination.

That's understandable, because from this vantage point, one can feel the sky and earth harmonizing with the sound of the waves. And also because even though Tet (Lunar New Year) has arrived everywhere across our beloved S-shaped land, and the atmosphere of welcoming the new spring is everywhere in the country, the naval soldiers are still diligently monitoring every detail on the radar screen of the station.

Decorating the altar for Tet (Lunar New Year) on Ly Son Island. Photo: Canh Nam

To our surprise, a very familiar voice called out, "Oh! Hello, gentlemen. When did you arrive?" Recognizing his Nghe An accent, I approached him and learned that he was Lieutenant Dang Van Xuan, born in 1983, from Dien Thang commune (Dien Chau district). Lieutenant Xuan enlisted in 2003. Previously, he was stationed in Phu Quoc, then transferred to the 3rd Regional Command and was assigned to Ly Son Island in early 2016. Therefore, celebrating Tet away from home had become quite normal for him.

Xuan confided: "In the days leading up to Tet, we just hope to see someone from our hometown among the visiting delegations, and it feels like seeing our homeland. Moreover, having fellow countrymen around gives us a chance to send small gifts to encourage our families. Everyone here longs to celebrate Tet with their loved ones and friends. But we all feel the need to put aside personal feelings for the common good, which is to protect the sacred airspace and waters of our homeland."

After saying goodbye to Mr. Xuan, we continued our journey to visit the soldiers at the Search and Rescue Station of the Ly Son Border Guard Post. Greeting us right at the entrance, after a warm handshake, Lieutenant Nguyen Minh Son – the station chief – led us on a tour around the post.

Living in Dong Vinh Ward (Vinh City), Lieutenant Son confided: "Tet is coming, and all I want is to go home with my wife and children to Lenin Street or Phan Dinh Phung Street to buy a few peach blossom branches and some fruit to give to my grandparents and decorate the house. That's enough... But it's okay, I've already called home to encourage my wife, children, and family. My wife even said she's proud of her husband. So I'm very happy and feel my responsibility is even greater."

We said goodbye, not forgetting to wish Sơn a happy new year, with steady hands on the gun and a firm grip on the steering wheel, as he returned to Radar Station 550. Upon arrival, the New Year's Eve dinner had already been prepared by the officers and soldiers, full of the flavors of Tet from the mainland: green sticky rice cakes, pickled onions, pork sausage, chicken, pork... all prepared by the young soldiers of the unit. Around the table, they shared stories of warm Tet celebrations back home, about their beloved girls, their innocent schoolboy romances, and sang folk songs from their hometowns and songs about naval soldiers. The singing blended with the sound of the waves, making the spring atmosphere at the station even more vibrant and warm.

Corporal Le Van Chuong and his comrades decorate a branch of apricot blossoms for Tet (Vietnamese New Year). Photo: Canh Nam

Corporal Le Van Chuong, 19 years old, from Nghi Loc district, who had only arrived on the island three months ago, suddenly stood up and asked his superior for permission to sing the song "The Folk Song of Nghe An". With the still-breaking voice of a young man, Chuong boldly sang: "Then one afternoon I suddenly remembered my homeland / Hearing you sing folk songs from Nghe An / The lullaby is like a time of childhood / Taking me back to the shores of my childhood / The folk song of my homeland amidst the hustle and bustle / My homeland is still so poor, my dear! / Why is the folk song so full of affection? / It stirs the heart of a son far away..."

Listening to Chương sing, the entire space seemed to quiet down, and everyone's emotions surged with intense nostalgia for their homeland. Many people were able to sing along, and it was understandable, as in Nghe An and Ha Tinh alone – the cradle of the smooth and profound folk melodies of the Ví and Giặm styles that served as the inspiration for the song the young soldier was singing – nearly 20 officers and soldiers were present.

Then, when Chương finished singing, everyone gave him a resounding round of applause, and it was also the moment we said goodbye to the pearl island of Lý Sơn, carrying with us the hopes, hastily written letters, and messages from our brothers as we returned to the mainland.

New Year's Eve on Ly Son Island. Photo: Canh Nam

Bidding farewell to the soldiers on the islands, we all shared the same feeling: although life in the units is still difficult, the camaraderie and sense of responsibility towards our homeland and country are strong. In addition, the special attention from the unit and various levels of government to those living and working on the remote islands is invaluable. Specifically, the organization of Tet celebrations on the islands, as warm and fulfilling as at home, helps the soldiers alleviate some of their homesickness and allows them to stand firm day and night, protecting the skies and seas of our homeland.

Canh Nam