Ahead of the Year of the Snake, a delegation of reporters from central and local press agencies, together with representatives of Brigade 146 from Naval Region 4, boarded Vessel HQ-561 to pay a Lunar New Year (Tet) visit to Truong Sa archipelago.
Officials and soldiers of Naval Region 4 are determined to surmount difficulties to help the delegation safely arrive in Truong Sa archipelago.
Spring comes early onTruong Sa archipelago
In the run up to the Year of the Snake 2025, the Naval Region 4 High Command have arranged delegations to visit, present gifts, and offer Tet greetings to soldiers and residents on some islands of Truong Sa archipelago. Boarding Vessel 561, the delegation brought along a large number of essential supplies, including food and items for daily use, prepared by the Navy as well as agencies, units and people nationwide.
Tet gifts are transferred to Vessel HQ-561 at Cam Ranh military port, Khanh Hoa province, to send the spring to Truong Sa.
On the afternoon of December 26, 2024, the ship departed Cam Ranh military port, Khanh Hoa province, bringing along the excitement and eagerness of delegation members, many of whom were on their first-ever trip to Truong Sa.
Gifts coming to Truong Sa islanders included peach blossom branches and kumquat trees – two symbols of Tet; dong leaves, flutinuous rice, mung bean and pork for making chung cakes – a signature dish of the traditional festival; along with pickled onions, confectionery, candied fruits, fresh fruits, decorations and new calendars. In particular, there were also tea, gifts from people of Hoa Binh city, books, paintings, and letters from students and people from all corners of the country.
Soldiers on An Bang Island read the Hoa Binh Newspaper.
Speaking before the departure, Colonel Ngo Dinh Xuyen, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, said the organisation of Tet visits in combination with the reportage of the life and works of soldiers and residents on Truong Sa archipelago reflects the special attention and profound sentiments from the Party, the State, collectives, and people from the mainland towards maritime and insular areas.
He described those sentiments as a great source of support and encouragement for officials and soldiers of Naval Region 4, who are firmly protecting every inch of the sacred islands and seas of the Fatherland.
Officials and soldiers of the Vietnam Peoples Navy transport kumquat and peace blossom trees to islands of Truong Sa archipelago.
Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Thanh, Commissar of Vessel HQ-561, said thorough preparations were made to ensure absolute safety during the trip, helping delegation members fulfil their task of bringing the "spring of love” from the mainland to soldiers and residents on Truong Sa archipelago.
Warm sentiments reach faraway islands
Travelling hundreds of nautical miles amid the rough sea season, Vessel HQ-561 arrived at Truong Sa Island on early December 28, 2024. All people on board were touched by local officials, soldiers, and residents present at the quay early to welcome the delegation.
The delegation present Tet gifts to Truong Sa islanders.
Peach blossom branches, kumquat trees, dong leaves, essential supplies, and many gifts from the mainland were handed over to soldiers and residents on the islands of Truong Sa Lon, An Bang, Da Dong B, and Da Tay A, among others, demonstrating the attention and sentiments from people nationwide towards Truong Sa.
On the islands, the delegation enquired after, offered encouragement, and sent Tet greetings to soldiers and residents. They also joined locals in Tet celebrating activities such as making chung cakes, musical performances, and folk games, helping strengthen the military – civilian bond.
Thanks to thoughtful preparations by Naval Region 4 and close coordination among officials, soldiers, and residents on islands, the year-end journey braved unfavourable weather conditions to fulfil the task of safely sending greetings, hundreds of tonnes of Tet gifts, as well as the warm sentiments from the mainland to soldiers and residents of the islands.
At the ceremony welcoming the delegation back to the mainland, Colonel Nguyen Huu Minh, Deputy Political Commissar of the Naval Region 4 High Command, said the trip provided enormous support for soldiers and residents on Truong Sa archipelago to stay united and weather all hardships to better perform the duty of safeguarding the sacred maritime sovereignty of the Fatherland.
To reporters of press agencies, the Tet trip to Truong Sa was an extremely interesting and precious experience, helping them gain further understanding of the value of life, patriotism, and comradeship.
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