Sacred flag-raising ceremony at the beginning of the new year in Truong Sa

Tien Hung• February 5, 2019 09:44

(Baonghean.vn) - It's the same national anthem, the same flag color, the same flag, but when singing it in Truong Sa, intense emotions that are hard to name surge up strongly.

From early morning of the first day of Tet, on all islands of Truong Sa island district (Khanh Hoa province), flag-raising ceremonies took place on the occasion of the New Year. The flag-raising ceremony at the beginning of the New Year has been a tradition, a cultural beauty of officers, soldiers and people on remote islands. In the photo is the flag-raising ceremony on Truong Sa Lon island, which is known as the "capital" of Truong Sa.

Not only soldiers and officials, but also some long-time residents of the island also participated in this sacred ceremony.

During the ceremony, an officer on the island will read the 10 honorary oaths of the soldiers in the Vietnam People's Army, standing next to the island's military commander. The reading of the 10 oaths and the strong, resounding shouts of "I swear"... are a source of encouragement, urging the officers, soldiers and people here to be determined to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands, to protect the Fatherland of Vietnam.

The island commander then read the New Year's greetings from the mainland.

Under the national flag, the national anthem was sung in unison by the officers, soldiers and people on the island. The lyrics of Tien Quan Ca were sung on the remote island, blending with the sound of waves, the wind of the ocean, and the warm morning sunshine, signaling a new spring coming to Truong Sa. The song was also a promise, affirming the determination of the officers, soldiers and people living and working in Truong Sa archipelago to firmly maintain the sovereignty of the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Trong Tham - a son of Nghe An who is currently the Deputy Military Commander of Truong Sa Lon Island said that it is the same National Anthem, the same flag color, the same flag, but when singing it in Truong Sa, intense emotions that are difficult to name surge strongly. Singing the National Anthem in Truong Sa, it is easy to realize that "sacred" is no longer an abstract adjective, but is present, very concrete, very alive in every beat, every breath.

The flag-raising ceremony took place right in front of the Sovereignty Marker.

Before that, on the night of the 30th of Tet, the army and people on the island organized cultural programs, picked democratic flowers... to welcome New Year's Eve.

Truong Sa Pagoda is decorated with sparkling lights on New Year's Eve. After the flag-raising ceremony, soldiers and people on the island often come to wish each other a happy new year before going to the pagoda to pick lucky branches.