Bringing warmth to Truong Sa archipelago and DK1 platform
After a 7-day voyage, the working delegation No. 22 of the Naval Service successfully concluded its visit to encourage soldiers and civilians in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and the DK1/7 (Huyen Tran) platform. The journey brought many meaningful and practical gifts, representing the heartfelt sentiments and warmth from the mainland to officers and soldiers stationed on remote islands.
Warmth from homeland
On the afternoon of May 19, the working delegation No. 22 of the Naval Service successfully concluded its mission to visit and encourage officers, soldiers and civilians of Truong Sa district and the DK1 platform in 2025. The delegation was led by Colonel Cao Van Son, Deputy Head of Logistics and Engineering of the Naval Service. Accompanying the delegation was a delegation from Binh Duong province, led by Colonel Nguyen Dinh Chuan, Political Commissar of provincial Military Command.
Evaluating the mission, Colonel Cao Van Son affirmed: “The visit to officers, soldiers, and civilians of Truong Sa district and DK1 platform by the working delegation No. 22 was a great success, ensuring absolute safety of personnel and equipment while achieving all assigned goals”. With the spirit of “All for beloved Truong Sa”, the delegation brought the warmth of the mainland to the islands, encouraging and motivating officers and soldiers to feel secure in their duties, overcome difficulties and fulfill responsibilities entrusted by the Party and the people. This was also a source of great encouragement and support for the officers, soldiers and civilians to stay resilient and united at the frontlines, firmly safeguarding the national sovereignty over seas and islands.
During the 7-day voyage from May 13 to 19, the delegation visited and encouraged officers and soldiers on six islands of Truong Sa archipelago, including Da Thi, Sinh Ton, Co Lin, Len Dao, Da Dong C and Truong Sa as well as DK1/7 (Huyen Tran) platform. The journey started from Cat Lai port in Ho Chi Minh city.
Before departure, the delegation paid tribute at the Monument to the No-number Naval Fleet of Brigade 125 to commemorate heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives to open the legendary Ho Chi Minh sea trail. In a solemn atmosphere, the delegation offered flowers, incense and observed a moment of silence to honor the martyrs. The delegates were deeply moved when recalling the heroic history of the No-number Fleet, established to transport troops and supplies to the southern battlefield during the arduous war against the American imperialism, thus forming the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea.
During the journey to the islands and the DK1/7 platform, the delegates warmly visited and encouraged officers and soldiers to overcome all hardships and firmly defend the maritime sovereignty while also supporting fishermen in offshore operations. Additionally, the delegation delivered essential items and necessities as heartfelt gifts from the mainland.
The sacred words “Truong Sa”
Notably, on Truong Sa island, the delegation participated in a flag-raising ceremony and listened to the soldiers' oaths under the glorious national flag. Truong Sa island is considered as the "capital" of Truong Sa district and serves as the administrative center of Truong Sa district in Khanh Hoa province. The island is equipped with various facilities such as a ship shelter area, a fishing village, a border post, a lighthouse, civilian housing, a clinic and medical center, a school, a pagoda, a hydrometeorological station, a memorial house for President Ho Chi Minh, a martyrs’ monument…
Located at the center of Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, Truong Sa island serves as a convenient refuge for fishermen seeking shelter from storms. In recent years, fishermen from provinces such as Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Nam, and several other coastal localities have relied on Truong Sa for support whenever they encountered sudden storms, illness or other emergencies while working offshore. The island has provided them with an emergency shelter, medical treatment, fresh water, food supplies and vegetables.
“The island is our home, the sea is our homeland”. Over the past time, officers and soldiers of Truong Sa island excelled in fulfilling their assigned duties. They are always ready for combat, firmly defending national sovereignty, serving as a stronghold and support point for fishermen. The Party Committee of Truong Sa island achieved the title of “Outstanding Party Committee” for six consecutive years, from 2019 to 2024.
In his address to encourage officers and soldiers on Truong Sa island, Colonel Cao Van Son acknowledged and warmly commended achievements done by them over the past time. In the coming time, in order to meet the demands of their assigned duties, Colonel Cao Van Son urged the Party Committee, commanders, officers and soldiers of Truong Sa Island to continue innovating and improving the quality of political and ideological education; build a politically strong unit and foster a democratic, united and cohesive atmosphere within the unit. He emphasized the importance of having politically steadfast personnel with strong determination, being always ready to undertake and successfully complete assigned tasks; strictly complying with directives and combat readiness orders; fulfilling all training goals and ensuring absolute safety; continuously enhancing logistical and technical support capabilities; focusing on building a politically, ideologically, ethically and organizationally strong Party Committee and Party cells on the island.
During the voyage on ship 561, the working delegation No. 22 organized many diverse exchange activities that left many good impressions such as the May birthday celebration program on sea; cultural and artistic exchanges with soldiers and people of Truong Sa island...
Colonel Nguyen Dinh Chuan, Political Commissar of Binh Duong provincial Military Command stated: “The trip helped us better understand the lives and activities of officers and soldiers stationed on remote islands. Each island is a sacred marker of national sovereignty in the East Sea. The officers and soldiers bravely face danger, strong waves and storms, are always ready to fulfill their duties and support fishermen like their own family. Particularly, despite their young age, the officers and soldiers radiate confidence and optimism, being determined to firmly hold their weapons and ready to defend our beloved seas and islands. This journey also clearly demonstrates the significant and practical impact of nationwide movements, especially from Binh Duong province, in supporting Truong Sa. In the coming time, Binh Duong will continue promoting awareness of the vital role of seas and islands in building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam among people from all strata, socio-political organizations and businesses”. |
During the visit to Truong Sa archipelago, Binh Duong province donated VND 2 billion to the Naval Service for the construction of a CQ ship. Dong Nai province donated VND 5 billion and the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises contributed VND 1 billion to the "Greening Truong Sa" program. Soc Trang and Long An provinces gave VND 500 million and VND 400 million to support the construction of facilities on Truong Sa archipelago. The Vietnam Maritime Corporation’s Golden Star Club donated VND 300 million to support activities in Truong Sa. An Giang Lottery Company donated VND 250 million to support funding for defense and security tasks to protect sea and island sovereignty on Truong Sa archipelago. In addition, the delegation presented meaningful gifts to officers, soldiers and residents on the islands and the DK1/7 (Huyen Tran) platform… |
Reported by Thu Thao-Tien Duong-Translated by Kim Tin
