Truong Sa, you're not far away...

Truong Sa Diary

I was born and raised in peacetime. From childhood until now, every time I hear the song "In the Distant Islands" or hum the melody myself, and see the Navy soldiers in their uniforms amidst the sun and wind, I secretly wish that one day I could set foot on Truong Sa.

Once, during a volunteer trip, a monk told us, "When you have a good wish in your heart, send it into the universe – that wish will surely come true." I believed him, and I sent my wish out into the universe for many years afterward, and today, that miracle has happened!

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025), the 50th anniversary of the Victory in Truong Sa (April 29, 1975 - April 29, 2025), and the 70th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Vietnam People's Navy (May 7, 1975 - May 7, 2025), my name was mentioned in Decision 3420/QD-TU of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee, joining the delegation to visit Truong Sa and the DK1 platform. When I read the decision, I was overwhelmed with happiness; I pinched my cheek to believe it was true: I was about to go to the beloved Truong Sa!

On the afternoon of April 28th, 170 members from 3 working groups: the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and 2 provinces: Nghe An and Thai Nguyen, gathered at Brigade 125, Naval Region 2, Ho Chi Minh City to form Working Group No. 16, which we later affectionately called "the happy and grateful Working Group No. 16, KN290 family," consisting of 7 platoots, from Platoon 1 to Platoon 5, comprising 106 members from the Central Committee of the Youth Union – including outstanding and exemplary youth union members, entrepreneurs, singers, actors, writers, overseas students, representatives of the Vietnam Student Association, journalists, etc., led by Comrade Nguyen Minh Triet, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Youth Union, as Platoon Leader; Platoon 6, consisting of 29 members from Thai Nguyen province, is led by Comrade Dang The Vinh - Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, and Platoon 7, consisting of 35 members from Nghe An province, is led by Comrade Bui Dinh Long, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Deputy Head of Task Force No. 16, and Head of the provincial task force.

Amidst the festive atmosphere of the nation's major holidays, we officially "enlisted" with very "military" and affectionate terms of address: the leaders of the delegation were called "commanders," while we were "privates," all excited and nervous, eagerly awaiting the moment when the "sea soldiers" would set sail.

A sacred moment in life.

Amidst the resounding strains of the song "As if Uncle Ho were present on the day of the great victory" and the heroic atmosphere of the live television broadcast of the parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reunification of the country, the KN-290 ship left the port. In our hands, those on land and those on the ship's deck held red flags with yellow stars, proudly fluttering. Singing, laughter, and tears mingled... At that moment, my heart ached! The truth was, we were heading to Truong Sa – where the heart of the Fatherland beats in the vast ocean.

Our sea voyage took us to sacred islands: Da Thi, Sinh Ton, Len Dao, Co Lin, Tay A, Truong Sa… and the DK1 platform. Each destination is a deeply moving and unforgettable chapter in our memories.

Here, we witnessed the unwavering resilience of the island soldiers who tirelessly carry out their sacred and noble mission day and night; we personally presented gifts of gratitude, met, interacted, and shared heartfelt conversations with the island soldiers and the people of the island district; we participated in "lively" classes with little angels; we saw the innocent eyes of the children – "young citizens" carrying the spirit of the Fatherland in the ocean; and we joined with youth union members, singers, and musicians… to offer precious "spiritual nourishment" to the island soldiers. Songs praising love for the homeland, the country, the Party, and Uncle Ho… resonated, and most memorable was the chorus: "Day after day, night after night, we stand here protecting our homeland. This sea is ours, this island is ours. Truong Sa…"

Here, we couldn't hold back our tears during the memorial ceremonies for the heroic martyrs who fought bravely and sacrificed themselves heroically to defend Gac Ma Island and the sacred continental shelf of our homeland in the southern provinces. The flowers and paper cranes carried our heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and profound gratitude, silently sent to them in the vast universe and the boundless sea.

Here, we "soldiers" strictly adhere to regulations regarding meal and sleep schedules, attend urgent summons on deck for regimental meetings, practice performing arts, create wall newspapers, and compose poetry about the sea and islands… We await sunrise and sunset to capture beautiful and meaningful photos amidst the vast and peaceful sea and islands. We spend nights filled with laughter that drowns out the sound of the waves during our large family's activities at Unit 16-KN290 in cultural competitions… We also witness the efforts and dedication of athletes participating in sports such as running, football, and pickup games in extremely harsh weather conditions, with the slogan "Stay healthy to protect our maritime sovereignty"…

It was also a moment of overwhelming emotion at the closing ceremony of the "Journey for the Homeland's Seas and Islands" competitions. The 7th Platoon of Nghe An was awarded first prize (for performing arts), third prize (for wall newspaper), and several other individuals from the platoon also received encouragement awards, certificates of merit, and commendations for outstanding achievements in carrying out the mission. I myself also won third prize in the "Writing about the Homeland's Seas and Islands" competition. I will never forget the genuine emotions of the journey and the effort of a night of seasickness, waking up to pack my suitcase and write about my love for the seas and islands…

Moreover, here, we always receive a warm and affectionate feeling like family, the thoughtful and attentive care of the Navy soldiers who, in this shared home of KN290, are not only sailors and combat soldiers but also doctors, nurses, and even "caretakers"...

We also can't forget the rice balls mixed with sesame and peanuts, and the bowls of hot porridge that the soldiers brought to the team members during days of seasickness. After the seasickness subsided, everyone helped in the kitchen, joining the women and girls in picking vegetables while humming "Truong Sa is not far away! Still close to me because Truong Sa is always with you, Still close to you because Truong Sa is always with me..." to drown out the feeling of swaying and rocking in the open sea.

Where the heart remains

On the final night, bidding farewell to Truong Sa, after the solemn ceremony, songs praising the Fatherland and the soldiers of Uncle Ho's army resounded. The ship's whistle blew, signaling preparation to leave the island for the mainland, and on the docks and on the boats, choked with emotion, they responded with shouts: "Truong Sa for the Fatherland! The Fatherland for Truong Sa!"...

The ship cut through the waves and left the dock. Even after it had gone quite far, we could still see the flashlights of the soldiers and civilians on Truong Sa Island waving goodbye in the night. We all burst into tears like children, not because of the farewell, but because our hearts remained there – where there are courageous people at the forefront of the waves, fighting for the peace of the Fatherland, where the Fatherland is sacredly present!

As a child from a family with many relatives who fought, bravely sacrificed, or left a part of their blood and bones on the battlefield for the cause of fighting and protecting the Fatherland, and with a Heroic Vietnamese Mother, I deeply understand the loss and suffering of war, and the value of peace and independence. Setting foot on Truong Sa during these historic days of our country is a priceless gift, a profound reminder to live more responsibly towards our homeland, contributing my small part to continue writing the story of peace that generations have paid for with their blood. I am deeply grateful to the soldiers on the islands – the “living landmarks” in the vast ocean, who consider “the islands as their home, the sea as their homeland,” and I am immensely proud to have joined them in engraving our love for the Fatherland on the journey “For the Homeland's Islands and Seas.”

Truong Sa is not far away, Truong Sa is always in my heart like a promise, a sacred belief that will never fade in today's generation of soldiers - those who continuously write the heroic tradition of the Vietnam People's Navy: "Fighting bravely - Ingeniously creative - Mastering the sea - Determined to fight, determined to win."

I am deeply grateful for having shared a meaningful and sacred journey with the "Extraordinary Team No. 16 - KN290" on Truong Sa from April 28th to May 7th, 2025. We have returned to the mainland, carrying with us the full range of emotions and some good plans for the soldiers on the islands after this mission.