Journalist Cao Thi Thuy Giang

When we began our voyage to Truong Sa, participating in the delegation's activities filled me with a sense of honor and pride at being able to witness firsthand the East Sea, a region I had previously only seen on television or heard about in books and newspapers. There, a vast, clear, and expansive expanse of sea and sky unfolded before my eyes. The images of the islands, the stories of the soldiers and people living on those remote islands, were moving and meaningful topics that I will convey to others through my writings.

During that voyage, I was particularly impressed by the moment amidst the vast, clear blue waters of the South China Sea in Truong Sa, when I attended the memorial ceremony for the 64 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy who bravely sacrificed their lives to protect our islands and territorial waters in 1988. The ceremony was incredibly solemn, leaving me and everyone else deeply moved by national pride and filled with admiration for the courage of those soldiers who selflessly dedicated themselves to the sacred sovereignty of our islands and seas. In the waters around Len Dao, Gac Ma, and Co Lin – those were moments when I and the members of the delegation felt as if we were on a journey back in time to pay tribute and remember the young soldiers who fell defending the country's maritime sovereignty. Their names will forever be preserved in the hearts of those who remain.

Journalist Thùy Giang is working in the East Sea region, preparing to enter Sinh Ton Dong Island.

Visiting Truong Sa, perhaps everyone on the trip felt nervous and a little worried about the rough seas, but after arriving at the islands, meeting the young soldiers who are guarding the nation's islands day and night in this remote location, and talking with them, the feelings of pride and emotion made me and everyone else forget our fatigue. We tried our best to gather as much information as possible from each island to write our article.

This trip held special significance for me, helping me deeply appreciate the close bond between the military and the people, raising awareness of maritime sovereignty, and strongly igniting national pride. The trip served as the most vivid embodiment of patriotism, enabling me to share these experiences with others, so that every Vietnamese citizen understands the importance of maritime sovereignty.

Our experience on the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands trip made us understand clearly that our sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos exists not only from a historical perspective, with clear inscriptions and historical evidence, but also in the form of solid concrete markers containing a powerful message about our legitimate and indisputable sovereignty in the East Sea – sovereignty markers with recognized latitudes and longitudes. These sovereignty markers were forged with the blood, sweat, and sacrifices of Vietnamese naval soldiers and people over many generations. They not only erected these markers on the ground, standing firm against storms and tempests in both literal and figurative senses, but they also represent profound values ​​in the hearts of each of us.

Only by going to Truong Sa can you truly appreciate the clear blue waters of the sea, the endless expanse of sea and submerged islands, the wind, the storms, the scorching sun, and the boundless sky... In that frontline outpost, I witnessed the lives and activities of the officers, soldiers, and people on the islands and the DK 1 platform, and I also gained a deeper understanding of the hardships and difficulties, yet also the optimism, unwavering loyalty, and warm affection of the Vietnamese people at the forefront of the waves and winds.

Journalist Thùy Giang interviews the leader of Sinh Ton Dong Island.

Arriving in Truong Sa, we witnessed the lush greenery of nature, the square-leaved mangroves, the sea almond trees, the patches of green vegetables, and the vibrant bougainvillea plants displaying their vigorous life amidst the waves and storms. Having the good fortune to visit Truong Sa, each of us understands and admires the strength and courage of the people on the island. The officers, soldiers, and people of Truong Sa live amidst storms and hardships; young men in their late teens and early twenties have braved the waves and dangerous storms, day and night holding their weapons firmly to safeguard the sacred sovereignty of our nation's seas and skies.

And I felt that, out in the middle of the ocean, humans become so small, fragile, and all that remains is unity, love, and closeness.

The reality is that the sea and islands are an inseparable and vital part of Vietnam's territory. Therefore, the responsibility of every citizen in protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands is especially important. As a journalist, this task feels even more noble to me, because when we go on field trips, we not only understand and witness the bravery and resilience of the soldiers overcoming all difficulties and hardships, but we also have to find ways to convey these messages to everyone to spread love for the sea and islands. Let's give the soldiers on the islands more material and spiritual support so that they can firmly hold their weapons to protect our homeland's sea and islands.

In 2024, when I had the opportunity to go to Truong Sa again, I didn't hesitate to accept and embarked on my second voyage. Because for me, going to Truong Sa is still full of fascination and admiration; I still feel nostalgic and haven't finished writing about this remote island region.

Journalist Thùy Giang on a canoe trip to the DK1/21 Ba Kè offshore platform.

Indeed, for me, every journey to the islands is new and fascinating because "when we leave, we bring back feelings; when we return, we bring back faith," with the slogans carried by the soldiers: "The island is our home, the sea is our homeland, the soldiers and civilians on the island are brothers and sisters"; "As long as the island exists, so do the people, so does the Fatherland"; "The outpost is our home, the sea and islands are our homeland."

Each trip to Truong Sa has further motivated me to contribute, in a small way, to disseminating information and refuting false and distorted claims about the sovereignty of our country's seas and islands, strengthening national unity, and firmly protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation. I and every member of the delegation share concerns and recognize our responsibility to continue spreading the historical values ​​of Vietnam's seas and islands, while also contributing to the cause of protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country's seas and islands.

Cao Thi Thuy Giang

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lan-toa-cac-gia-tri-lich-su-cua-bien-dao-viet-nam-post299602.html