Truong Sa - A special voyage
On the morning of April 30, 2025 - the occasion when the whole country was excitedly celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South, the reunification of the country and also the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the islands in the Truong Sa archipelago, Working Group No. 16 with more than 180 delegates (including 35 delegates from Nghe An province) from many different fields and localities began to leave the mainland, carrying the sentiments of the people of the whole country towards the beloved Truong Sa.
Sovereignty Marker - Sacred Symbol
Each island we set foot on along the route, although the time was only 2 to 3 hours for each place, left a deep impression on me. On May 2, 2025, the group set foot on the first island - Da Thi, about 250 nautical miles from the mainland. The words "Island is home - The sea is homeland" printed on the 3rd floor of the island building, moved me to tears by the indomitable spirit of the navy soldiers. Slogan: ""Nourish your heart, train your mind, and build great ambitions"right at the reception area as if to add spiritual strength to each soldier as well as the work of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands.
At Sinh Ton Island (1 of 3 island communes in Truong Sa district, Khanh Hoa province), which was liberated on April 28, 1975. The name Sinh Ton has shown great determination. Here I felt the longevity of my homeland's islands in the face of harshness and difficulties, when I saw the gentle smiles, the tanned skin of the soldiers and the lush green vegetable gardens with fruit trees and colorful flower trellises.
Lieutenant Colonel Pham Sy Thoai - Commander of Sinh Ton Island shared:“Although the climate on the island is very harsh, thanks to the will and creativity of the army and people, the island is changing more and more, taking on a new look.”There are households living here along with cultural and spiritual works. I was quite surprised to meet soldier Lau Ba Tong - an ethnic minority in Ky Son district, he is a tall young man with bright eyes. He was very happy as if he had met a relative when meeting the Nghe An delegation. I was surprised because I learned that here, the soldiers basically come from all regions of the country, but most of them are from areas familiar with going to sea. So the responsibility of sovereignty over the sea and islands is in the heart of any citizen. Before saying goodbye, Lau Ba Tong gave me a seashell and said:“Please keep some of Truong Sa's affection, tell the family that I'm still healthy and always ready to complete the mission well.”, a hasty handshake in the noon sunlight of Truong Sa, I felt my heart tightened by the loving eyes of the soldiers on the islands and deep inside were the great sacrifices for the country!
On the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago, the sovereignty marker is the most solemn place, where flag-raising ceremonies, military parades and delegations are held. This is not only a construction marking sovereignty but also a symbol of the noble sacrifice of previous generations.
At Co Lin and Len Dao islands - two islands submerged in the ocean, the island buildings stand tall and sturdy with the image of young soldiers with steadfast eyes and steady hands holding guns in the vast ocean and sky, making me believe more in today's generation. Lyrics"Truong Sa Military Song"as echoes in the mind and deeply engraves the value of the contributions and sacrifices of our fathers and brothers for the sovereignty of the sea and islands.: “Day after day, night after night, we stand here to protect our homeland…”.
Continuing the journey, on the 5th day, we arrived at Da Tay A Island, about 270 nautical miles from the mainland. That day, when we were preparing to go to the island, it suddenly rained, but the whole working group was ready to get on the boat to go to the island. And when we set foot on the island, the words“Loyal to the Party, filial to the people, Ready to fight and sacrifice for the cause of national sovereignty over the sea and islands”on the gate as a solemn oath of sovereignty, of the readiness to sacrifice for national independence of the army and people on the island.
Da Tay A is one of the floating islands. In addition to its main task of protecting sovereignty, here, like the islands in Truong Sa island district of our country, Da Tay is also a fulcrum that helps fishermen go offshore, stick to the sea to exploit and catch aquatic products, while contributing to protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands. The most prominent is the Fisheries Logistics Service Center. After walking around the island, sitting under the banyan tree, listening to the soldiers tell stories, some have just been here for a few months, some have been here for 7-8 years. Almost no one talks about the hardships or difficulties, but only gentle smiles and determined eyes, showing me the image of a steel spirit, determined for the noble mission.
On the 6th day of the cruise, we arrived at Truong Sa Lon Island - the main island and administrative center of Truong Sa District, about 248 nautical miles from Cam Ranh. This is where the delegation spent the most time and also where I felt the emotion like never before. In the middle of the deep blue sea and sky of Truong Sa Lon Island, we were welcomed by a parade of soldiers and people on the island. This is also one of the practical activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Truong Sa archipelago (April 29, 1975 - April 29, 2025) and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Navy (May 7, 1955 - May 7, 2025) in Truong Sa.
The image of the Truong Sa sovereignty milestone, printed with the red flag with a yellow star, on top of the milestone is the words Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Geographic coordinates: Truong Sa Island Latitude 8°38′30″N, Longitude 111°55′55″E, steadfast and resilient in the middle of the ocean, how proud.
Lieutenant Colonel Can Ngoc Son - Commander of Truong Sa Island said: "The Army and People on Truong Sa Island as well as the responsibility of individuals towards the Fatherland: to continue the pride of the heroic tradition of the nation. We will always unite, firmly hold our guns to protect the sovereignty of the sea, islands and continental shelf of the Fatherland".
One of the main activities of our journey was the Memorial Ceremony for the heroic martyrs who died at Gac Ma, and the islands in the southern sea, and the DK1 platform on the 3rd and 6th days of the voyage. Blending in with the sound of the waves, the wind and the sun of Truong Sa, the moment of silence was accompanied by the music of the “Soul of the Martyrs” ceremony and the sobs and emotions of the members of the working group. Chrysanthemums and paper cranes were dropped into the sea as if sending love to the fallen soldiers, to comfort them in the heart of the immense Mother Sea. In that moment, I clearly felt that: The sovereignty of the sea and islands is the crystallization of blood, tears and indomitable spirit.
The farewell night at Truong Sa Lon at 9pm after the cultural exchange on the island was a very emotional moment. Everyone stood on the right side of the ship, waving to the soldiers and civilians on the island bridge. We chanted in unison, "We love Truong Sa, our Fatherland because of Truong Sa." The echoes echoed along the waves in response to the soldiers' words."Truong Sa loves the Fatherland, Truong Sa loves the Fatherland..."The small flash lights gradually disappearing into the dark ocean made everyone on the ship emotional and not wanting to leave.
Fortresses between the sea and sky of the Fatherland
On May 5, 2025, we visited the DK1 platform (Economic Services - Science and Technology cluster), built on Tu Chinh shoal, which is considered the "eyes of the sea" on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland.
Through a conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Truong Ba Chung (from Ha Tinh) about life on the rigs, he said that many generations of officers and soldiers have devoted their youth to making the DK1 rigs become "impregnable fortresses" standing tall at sea. Once again, I felt more clearly than ever the difficulties, hardships, deprivations, losses and sacrifices of the naval soldiers at Truong Sa archipelago and the excellent missions they have completed to contribute to firmly protecting the sovereignty of the sea and continental shelf in the South of the Fatherland.
DK1 platform is also the end of the journey, time does not permit, immediately after that ship KN 290 took us back to the mainland. The sea and sky are blue, on the deck, everyone is looking back at the photos, images of sovereignty markers, handshakes, warm hugs with soldiers, smiles of children on the island,... all become unforgettable memories of this special trip. News No. 13 of the "Radio" on the ship rang out: "The journey ends. Wish the delegates a good job. Remember forever the beloved Truong Sa".
The end of the voyage, for me, is a great memory of my life, not the end but will be a journey to continue telling, to further love and believe in Truong Sa. Saying goodbye with regret, I remembered what Uncle Ho told the Navy soldiers in 1961:“In the past, we only had night and forest. Today, we have day, sky, and sea. Our coastline is long and beautiful, we must know how to preserve it.”His advice is a sacred reminder for every Vietnamese citizen about our responsibility for the sovereignty of the sea and islands.
