Special batches of banh chung on DK1 platform
On the first days of departure, at meals that day, the working group was missing 2/3 of the female reporters. The members on the ship reassured that on January 4, when they arrived at the DK1/9 platform in the Ba Ke cluster, the whole group would be able to enter the platform. That day, everyone was hopeful and excited.
On the morning of January 4, the meal that day was full of members, because "we tried to eat to gain strength to go to the platform". Standing on the deck, looking at the DK1/9 platform, we could see officers and soldiers with their eyes following us, waving their hands towards the ship. At that moment, our hearts were filled with an indescribable emotion that we could not name.
The boat crew of Truong Sa 21 sailed through the waves to deliver gifts to DK1 platform.
Ms. Le Hai Yen, a reporter for Dong Nai Newspaper, a member of the Truong Sa 21 ship delegation, feels lucky because her career as a journalist gave her the opportunity to join the New Year greetings trip to the platforms and to be able to set foot on platforms DK1/21 and DK1/9.
Ms. Hai Yen said that the oil rig is a sacred sovereignty landmark in the middle of the ocean, a place that every Vietnamese person wishes to visit. However, not everyone is lucky enough to realize that wish.
Compared to the trip to the Southwest islands in September 2024, this trip to visit and wish a happy new year to DK1 left Ms. Hai Yen with many special emotions.
“16 days on the ship, the waves were strong and the ship rocked much more than the trip to the Southwest islands. However, this voyage was more meaningful and filled with joy because thanks to the long time on the ship, I had the opportunity to interact with colleagues and naval officers and soldiers. It was those moments that helped me understand better, deeply sympathize and share the difficulties and feelings of soldiers at sea," Ms. Hai Yen shared.
Reporters and officers and soldiers wrapping banh chung at DK1/9 platform
Asked about the 16-day voyage bringing spring love to the open sea, which moment did she remember the most? Ms. Hai Yen choked up and said, it was the image of a soldier holding a gun on guard duty on the DK1 platform.
“When we visited, we noticed that the joy of meeting them could not be hidden in their eyes. They said that their children were very proud to have a father who was a navy soldier. Their pride gave them the motivation to carry out their duty to the Fatherland. I think that every navy soldier has the same thoughts and feelings,” said Ms. Hai Yen.
Special banh chung at DK1 rig
At DK1/9 platform, we had the opportunity to directly visit and hand over Tet gifts and letters from our compatriots sent from the mainland to the officers and soldiers on duty. The Tet atmosphere became even more intense when we and the soldiers gathered around sticky rice, dong leaves, meat and green beans to wrap special batches of Chung cakes.
With skillful hands, meticulously arranging each leaf into the cake mold, in no time, the square green banh chung was formed. The cheerful laughter mixed with the stories of the hometown being told made the atmosphere even more cozy.
"Soldiers on the oil rig are not afraid of storms..."
The next morning (January 5), the ship arrived at DK1/20 platform in Ba Ke cluster. In contrast to the previous day, the waves here roared, each wave hitting the deck of the ship, the wave crests churning up white foam. The ship was only a few hundred meters from the platform but could not find a safe water channel to ensure the working group could take a boat to the platform. That day, the working group had to give a perfunctory New Year greeting.
Lieutenant Colonel Trieu Thanh Tung, Deputy Chief of Staff of Naval Region 2, sent officers and soldiers working at DK1/20 platform a healthy and happy spring; firmly holding guns at the forefront of the wind and waves and ensuring good performance of assigned tasks.
Lieutenant Colonel Trieu Thanh Tung sent New Year greetings to DK1/20 platform
At the end of the year, hearing the news of the ship's visit, many soldiers and officers working at the DK1/20 platform looked forward to each day. Through the walkie-talkie, with a voice slightly crackling and interrupted by the signal, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Chung, Commander of the DK1/20 platform, appreciated the sentiments of the delegation.
Mr. Chung said that the attention of the leader and the working group is a great source of encouragement for the officers and soldiers of the rig to work with peace of mind; determined to protect the sovereignty of the sea and firmly protect the rig so that people across the country can enjoy the spring and celebrate the New Year.
Mr. Chung added that at the DK1/20 platform, apricot and peach trees have been decorated and full preparations have been made for Tet activities for soldiers such as picking democratic flowers, weightlifting, wrapping banh chung, etc.
“It is a pity that we cannot meet the working group in person. I wish the leaders and the working group good health. Here, we are still steadfast, clinging to the sea and the rigs with the determination that “as long as there are people, there will be rigs,” Lieutenant Colonel Chung was moved.
Reporter Le Hai Yen sings for officers and soldiers of DK1 platform
Reporter Hai Yen turned her eyes toward the platform. She sang the song " The Sea Sings This Afternoon" to the DK1/20 platform, but her voice was broken and choked.
In response, the soldiers on the platform sang the song DK Spring to the female reporter and the working group in unison: “Let the wind and waves prevail. We soldiers on the platform are there. Let the wind and waves prevail. Soldiers on the platform are not afraid of storms. Let the sun and wind prevail. Soldiers on the platform vow not to be afraid of hardship. Let the rain and storms prevail…” On the ship, many members could not hold back their tears.
While writing this article, I often listen to that song over and over again. Every time I listen, I think of the officers and soldiers of the DK1 platform. Those steadfast, brave naval soldiers, who are not afraid of difficulties to protect the sacred sea, islands and southern continental shelf of the Fatherland.
On the morning of January 1, two working delegations from Naval Region 2 visited and extended New Year greetings to DK1 platforms, duty ships, and civil and party agencies in Con Dao District on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2025. The voyage lasted 16 days (from January 1 to 16).
There are 28 agencies, organizations and individuals giving gifts, more than 1,000 packages of about 20 tons. The goods and necessities are prepared according to the Ministry of National Defense's Tet standards such as: chicken, kumquat, sticky rice, rice, jam... Cash gifts of 125 million VND. The total value is about more than 2 billion VND.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hanh-trinh-481-hai-ly-dua-tet-den-nha-gian-dk1-185250124151309072.htm
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