More than 30 years ago, Song Tu Tay lighthouse was the first lighthouse built in Truong Sa. 30 years later, that lighthouse still stands tall in the middle of the sea and sky, along with many other lighthouses affirming the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland.
Song Tu Tay Lighthouse is the first lighthouse built in Truong Sa more than 30 years ago - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN
Arriving at Song Tu Tay on a sunny afternoon, the image of the lighthouse standing tall amidst the green of casuarinas and banyan trees leaves behind many memories for the people of the mainland. Song Tu Tay Lighthouse is considered the "big brother" of the lighthouse system in Truong Sa, the project was built in 1993 with a height of 36m.
Song Tu Tay Lighthouse stands tall in the sky and sea of Vietnam - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN
Talking to Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Cao Van Giap - vice chairman of Song Tu Tay island commune - said that for more than 30 years, Song Tu Tay lighthouse has been one of the lights in Truong Sa that helps ships and rafts know the direction when passing the island.
From afar, it is easy to see the sturdy lighthouse on Song Tu Tay Island - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN
The process of building ships was not much, soldiers and people carried each bag of sand and cement. Mr. Giap recounted that regardless of noon or evening, whenever the water receded, they rushed out to carry the materials and gather them in one place, then built. To bring the bricks and stones to Truong Sa was not simple, it was the effort of the whole country, of the brothers on the island. "At 2am, no one told anyone to rush out to do the fastest work to keep up with the construction progress. Now, Song Tu Tay lighthouse is more and more completed, more beautiful, more durable. The lighthouse is the pride of us - the people participating in the construction", Mr. Giap was moved.
The cool green Song Tu Tay Island amidst the sun and wind of Truong Sa - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN
On An Bang Island, the lighthouse was built in 1995, shaped like a cylindrical tower, about 24.9m high. Standing under the canopy of the tea trees, the An Bang lighthouse is hidden in the green of the leaves.
An Bang Lighthouse has a 24.9m high light tower, located on An Bang Island - an outpost protecting the southern Truong Sa archipelago - Photo: NGUYEN HIEN
When it was first built, the lighthouse was cement gray, but now it is painted in two colors: yellow and purple-pink. Below the lighthouse tower is the residence and workplace of the An Bang Lighthouse Station staff. Following the wooden stairs to the top of the lighthouse tower, the vast sea and sky of the Fatherland appear before your eyes.
Da Tay Lighthouse is one of the first lighthouses in Truong Sa, and to this day this lighthouse still shines brightly in the middle of Vietnam's sea - Photo: HA THANH
Besides Song Tu Tay, Da Tay is also one of the first three locations surveyed to build a lighthouse in Truong Sa more than 30 years ago. Da Tay lighthouse was built after Song Tu Tay lighthouse with a light tower height of 22m, a flashing cycle of 10 seconds. Amidst the stormy waves, Da Tay lighthouse still shines forever to guide ships at sea.
Mainlanders check-in at Da Tay lighthouse - Photo: HA THANH
There are currently 9 lighthouses in Truong Sa, namely Song Tu Tay, An Bang, Da Tay, Da Lat, Nam Yet, Sinh Ton, Son Ca, Tien Nu and Truong Sa Lon. These lighthouses not only ensure the safety of passing ships, but also act as landmarks affirming Vietnam's sovereignty at sea.
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