Firm in faith in the sea and sky of our homeland.
For over five years, Captain Nguyen Phuc Duc (born in 1998, from Hai Chau commune) – Political Officer of the Combined Artillery Company – has dedicated his youth to serving on Hon Mat Island, a place at the forefront of the waves. For Nguyen Phuc Duc, love for his country doesn't come from grand gestures, but is nurtured through simple daily actions, camaraderie, and above all, the commitment to fulfilling his assigned duties.
Thanh Quynh(Perform)ButPresent: Hong Toai •23/8/2026
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For over five years, Captain Nguyen Phuc Duc (born in 1998, from Hai Chau commune) – Political Officer of the Combined Artillery Company – has dedicated his youth to serving on Hon Mat Island, a place at the forefront of the waves. For Nguyen Phuc Duc, love for his country doesn't come from grand gestures, but is nurtured through simple daily actions, camaraderie, and above all, the commitment to fulfilling his assigned duties.
Leading up to National Day on September 2nd, Nghe An Newspaper, Radio and Television had a conversation with Captain Nguyen Phuc Duc about the choices of young people and the experiences that have nurtured the faith of a soldier in contributing to the protection of the sacred seas and islands of the Fatherland.
Captain Nguyen Phuc DucAt the age of 18, having just finished high school, like many of my peers, I began thinking about my future, which university to apply to and where I would work afterward.
I choosePolitical Officer Training SchoolFirst of all, ever since I was a child, I've loved the image of soldiers. Through television, seeing images of soldiers, I felt admiration and a desire to one day wear the military uniform. Besides that, I realized I was well-suited to the military environment; I enjoyed training in a disciplined and responsible group, and above all, I had the opportunity to contribute to my country.
After graduating, I was assigned to work on Hon Mat Island. I recognized this as my duty, and also as an opportunity to experience and train myself in a unique environment.
Captain Nguyen Phuc Duc:I still remember a saying: "If everyone chooses the easy path, who will take on the hard work?"
I believe that previous generations chose hardship so that today we can live in peace and freely choose our future paths. Today's soldiers, including my comrades, are continuing that choice in their own way, silently standing where the Fatherland needs them. Having chosen the military uniform, we have also chosen the responsibility to strive to fulfill our duties well, whether on Hon Mat Island or anywhere else the Fatherland needs us.
Five years on the island wasn't always easy. Being far from family and the mainland, living conditions remained very difficult, especially regarding electricity and water.But the longer I stayed, the more attached I felt to this place. For me, Hon Mat Island is my second home.
On the island, officers and soldiers eat, live, work, train, and go through difficult times together. Therefore, we consider each other like brothers in a family.
More importantly, for me, whenever I am assigned a task or position by the organization, I always strive to complete my duties well. Especially as a political officer, I am not only concerned with my own well-being but also responsible for the ideology, living conditions, and performance of the entire unit.
Each year on the island, I learn so much more, from how to work and behave to how to live. I feel that I have matured a great deal with each year I've worked here.
Previously, I understood my responsibility to the nation more through books and school lessons. After years on the island, I felt it through my daily work. I understand even more that protecting the nation is not something distant, but begins with each individual fulfilling their assigned duties well.
Therefore, I didn't think much about whether I had been on the island for five years or longer than others. I simply thought that as long as I was assigned to this place by the organization, I would try my best to fulfill my duties.
PV:During your time on Hon Mat Island, which memory regarding camaraderie and fellowship do you cherish the most?
Captain Nguyen Phuc Duc:During my time working on Hon Mat Island, perhaps the most memorable experiences were the times we participated in storm response efforts, especially typhoons No. 5 and No. 10 in 2025. On the mainland, we could get an idea of the extent of the impact from storm forecasts, but only when we were on the island did we truly understand the harshness of the weather.
Before the storm hit, we had to proactively implement preventative measures, inspect the barracks, reinforce buildings, secure trees, and ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. But when the storm actually arrived, its severity was fully felt. The wind howled in gusts, growing stronger and stronger; trees swayed, many uprooted and fell to the ground; heavy rain made movement and inspections within the unit extremely difficult.
During those times, what I remember most is the spirit of the team. Almost no one thought about their own personal matters. Some were reinforcing houses, others were inspecting the barracks, some were dealing with fallen trees, and others were ensuring the safety of officers, soldiers, and equipment. There were times when the wind was very strong and the work was very difficult, but everyone still encouraged each other and tried their best to complete each task.
On the island, it's very difficult if everyone only thinks about their own work. We need a spirit of teamwork and shared responsibility. We proactively address whatever we can. From increasing production and improving living conditions to reinforcing living spaces and preserving the landscape and environment, everyone pitches in. Some things may seem small, but when everyone contributes, they become the way for the entire unit to overcome difficulties.
Perhaps it is in times of hardship that the bonds of comradeship are most clearly felt. On ordinary days, we train together, eat together, and live together; but when natural disasters strike, when difficulties arise, everyone is ready to set aside their personal affairs for the sake of the collective, helping and sharing with one another. At such times, I feel even more strongly the close bond between the soldiers on the island.
PV:As a company political officer, you not only perform the duties of a soldier but also accompany officers and soldiers in their daily lives and thoughts. So how do you understand what your comrades are thinking, what they need, and help them become more steadfast and passionate about their duties during their time working on a remote island?
Captain Nguyen Phuc Duc:In my opinion, the only way to understand soldiers is to be close to them.
Previously, I thought that officers only needed to manage strictly and give clear instructions, and the soldiers would perform well. But through practical experience, I understand that managing soldiers cannot be done solely through orders. Officers must understand their soldiers, know what they are thinking, what their families are like, what difficulties they are facing, what their strengths are, and where their limitations lie, in order to motivate, help, and best utilize each individual's abilities. As a political officer, in my opinion, the most important thing is to never become distant from the soldiers.
Therefore, I try to connect with them more, from casual conversations about family and hometown to discussions about work and daily life. During those times, they are usually more likely to share.
There are things soldiers don't talk about in conferences or official meetings, but they might bring them up in everyday conversations. Officers must know how to listen, and more importantly, they must listen genuinely, not just to fulfill the task of "gathering information." When officers truly listen and share, soldiers will feel the officer's concern and will become more open.
I also try to remember the circumstances of each comrade: who comes from a distant place, who is new to the island, who has difficult family circumstances, who is currently experiencing emotional instability... Knowing these things allows me to promptly share, encourage, and handle problems appropriately when they arise.
However, affection must be accompanied by principles and responsibility. Caring for soldiers does not mean being lenient, but rather helping them progress, mature, develop character, and successfully complete their assigned tasks. For me, when each soldier is steadfast in their ideology, confident in their work, and clearly understands their responsibilities, that is also when the political officer is able to better fulfill their role.
Captain Nguyen Phuc Duc:Actually, each time I celebrate National Day on the island, I have a unique feeling. But what I remember most is the first time I celebrated National Day here. At that time, I was still a young officer fresh out of military school. It was my first time away from the mainland, away from my loved ones.
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While on the mainland, National Day is usually associated with many lively activities as people have time to rest, go out, and reunite with their families, on the island, we continue to carry out our normal duties. We are still in uniform, some patrolling, some on duty, and some participating in unit activities.
Although the atmosphere wasn't as vibrant as on the mainland, I felt an indescribable sense of pride. It was the feeling of celebrating a sacred national day with my comrades amidst the vast ocean and sky. Later, no matter where I go or what duties I perform, the National Day celebrations I had on the island will remain a beautiful memory in my military career.
As for my message, I want to tell my family to rest assured about me and the officers and soldiers on the island. I know that on the mainland, families always hope their loved ones can work in a more convenient location, closer to home. But I also want to say that working on the island is a very valuable experience for a soldier. There are difficulties, but there is also a sense of pride that can only be fully appreciated when standing here.
For young people, I think the first thing is to appreciate the peaceful life they have.
You can go to school, go to work, be with your family, pursue your dreams, and choose a job you love. These are all very normal things, but behind that normalcy lies the sacrifice of many generations.
Every young person has a different way of contributing. Not everyone has to become a soldier. But no matter what profession they pursue or where they work, I think everyone can do their part well and live responsibly towards their family, community, and country.
Captain Nguyen Phuc Duc:I think that apprehension is understandable. Not every girl can easily imagine what life is like for a soldier. There are holidays when others are with their families, but you're still at the unit; there are times when your family needs you most, but your duties prevent you from being there. If you haven't lived in that environment, it's probably very difficult to fully understand all of that.
But I also think that if we only look at those difficulties and assume that marrying a soldier means accepting a life full of disadvantages, then perhaps it's not entirely fair to the soldiers.
Because behind those days away from home, there is still a person who longs for a family, someone to love, and a place to return to.
A soldier doesn't expect his partner to sacrifice everything for him. I think what we need most is understanding. Understanding that there are times when we can't go home not because we don't want to, but because we're on duty. And once we understand that, we can work together to build happiness within our own circumstances.
I hope to have a small family, a wife who understands and shares the unique nature of a soldier's job, and together we can build a simple, peaceful life. I also have to acknowledge that if I want a strong support system, I must first become a responsible husband and father. My job may be demanding, but I cannot let duty overshadow my family's feelings and responsibilities.
Captain Nguyen Phuc Duc:I don't care where I'm assigned or what I do. What matters to me is that wherever I am, I must do my best in the task assigned to me.
Because once you've chosen the military uniform, what's truly commendable isn't how many places you've been to, but how you've dedicated yourself to your unit and your country in every place you've been!
