Visit Truong Sa in calm sea season

(Dan Tri) - During a voyage in mid-May, Dan Tri reporters recorded the latest images of soldiers' lives in Truong Sa island district and DK1 platform.

Off

In May, the sea is calm, Cam Ranh military port (Khanh Hoa) is busy seeing off passenger ships to visit Truong Sa island district. In the photo is transport ship 571 carrying delegation number 20 to visit Song Tu Tay, Sinh Ton Dong, Len Dao, Da Tay C, Truong Sa Lon islands and DK1 platform.

After about 30 hours of sailing, tourists saw the first island in the Truong Sa archipelago (Song Tu Tay island). Many people could not hide their emotions when witnessing with their own eyes the sovereign island of Vietnam in the middle of the vast ocean.

At the small islands, ship 571 will anchor remotely, visitors use motorboats to move to the island.

An Bang is the most difficult island to reach because of the frequent big waves. In the photo, a boat has just arrived at the island but is pushed away by the waves. The first meeting between the island soldiers and visitors from the mainland is not a scene of "handshakes and greetings", but instead is a scene of tension and high concentration to bring the boat to the island safely.

In the photo is Len Dao submerged island in Sinh Ton commune, Truong Sa district, Khanh Hoa province. This island is a reef in the Gac Ma - Con Lin - Len Dao cluster, which witnessed the naval battle on March 14, 1988 between the Vietnam People's Navy and the Chinese Navy, which resulted in the death of 64 Vietnamese officers and soldiers. After the naval battle, China illegally occupied Gac Ma reef while Vietnam kept Con Lin and Len Dao reefs. In the photo is Len Dao reef with Gac Ma in the distance.

DK1 16 platform (Phuc Tan B platform) is under the management of Naval Region 2.

Panoramic view of Truong Sa Island (also known as Truong Sa Lon). This is the island with the largest natural area of Truong Sa island district. During the voyage of ship 571, this is also the only island where the ship can dock right at the wharf, without using a motorboat to transfer passengers.

Surely the gunman guards the sea and sky

During the voyage through 5 islands and 1 rig, the most impressive image for us was the soldiers on duty, ready to fight to protect the sovereignty of the Fatherland. In the photo is a navy soldier standing guard at the sovereignty stele on Truong Sa island.

Vietnamese naval soldiers stand guard on Da Tay C, Song Tu Tay, Len Dao islands and DK1 16 platform.

The delegation from the mainland experienced the flag-raising ceremony and parade on the runway of Truong Sa island.

Navy soldiers on Da Tay C island.

Moment of silence

After visiting Len Dao Reef, the delegation gathered on deck to hold a memorial service for officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland.

With the illegally occupied Gac Ma Island in the background, the officer read a speech recalling the sacrifice of 64 Vietnamese Navy soldiers in the 1988 naval battle. The memorial service was the most emotional moment of the entire voyage. Many members of the delegation could not hold back their tears when thinking about the martyrs who sacrificed their lives at sea, whose remains have yet to be found.

After the incense offering, each person held a chrysanthemum and a paper crane in their hands to prepare for the flower release ceremony.

Flower rafts in memory of martyrs are set adrift on the waves.

Everyday moments

In the photo is a group of children on Song Tu Tay Island. On the island there is a primary school and a kindergarten to ensure educational conditions for young children. After finishing grade 5, the children will return to the mainland to continue their secondary school studies.

Mr. Phan Ngoc An and Ms. Nguyen Thi Lo - a couple with twin children living on Song Tu Tay island.

Children living on Spratly Island.

Dinh Hang Nga, a female artist from the Vietnam Cheo Theater, and her colleagues in a performance on An Bang Island with the performance of Ly Truong - Me Dop brought much laughter to the soldiers on the island.