Spring on Truong Sa Archipelago

Affection from the people on the mainland

On the first day of 2015, the atmosphere of welcoming Tet prevailed on the islands of Truong Sa Archipelago. The soldiers used Dong and Bang leaves to wrap Banh chung (square glutinous rice cakes). With skillful hands they made Banh chung from the ingredients full of the taste of their homeland. On Da Lat, Da Tay, Thuyen Chai and An Bang Islands, the officers and soldiers hung a banner with the words “Happy New Year” on the walls and decorated the altar with the image of Uncle Ho, a tray of fruit and decorative lights. As usual the naval soldiers in the front line of the country prepared the celebration of the lunar New Year as early as possible.

The departments, agencies and sectors of the government made thorough preparations to help the solders on the islands celebrate Tet. Colonel Nguyen Van Thu, Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 146 (Navy Region 4) said: “Every year, the leaders and commanders at all levels, from the Navy High Command and the regional command to the units, direct the preparation of goods to provide for the soldiers on Truong Sa Archipelago, helping them organise a warm and complete New Year under the motto “Happy, healthy, safe, economical and ready to fight”.

Although the weather was not favourable because of many big storms, thanks to the planning, all the pigs raised by the units on the mainland and the necessary commodities were shipped to Truong Sa Islands by the groups.

In addition to the food and commodities from the mainland, the units on the islands, particularly on Truong Sa Lon, Da Lat and Thuyen Chai Islands, also produced tons of food from raising cattle and poultry, helping ensure the supply of food and improving the lives of the soldiers and people.

Canoes carry Tet presents from ships to the islands.

Essential items of Tet, such as pork, flowers and fruit are transported to Truong Sa to provide for the soldiers.

A pot of a yellow apricot tree brings the atmosphere of Tet of southern people to Truong Sa.

The soldiers in Truong Sa receive Tet presents from the mainland.

Soldiers receive letters from their relatives on the mainland.

Soldiers in Truong Sa reading letters from their relatives.

Welcoming spring on the islands

Besides receiving the portions as regulated, the officers and soldiers on Truong Sa Islands were also given a gift worth 500,000 dong/person for the wage earners and 250,000 dong/person for the non-commissioned officers and soldiers by the Navy. On this occasion, the Region 4 High Command extracted money from the farming fund to give 300,000 dong/person for the wage earners and 150,000 dong/person for the non-commissioned officers and soldiers. This amount of money was added to the salary and allowance of each soldier.

The soldiers and people on Truong Sa Islands also received gifts from the Party Central Committees, local authorities, organisations and people throughout the country. On our ship, we saw many parcels sent to the soldiers and people on the islands by the organisations, unions, local agencies and units. For instance, the Women’s Union and the Women’s Cultural House in Ho Chi Minh City gave gifts worth 127 million dong while the Saigon Trading Group (SATRA) gave gifts worth 120 million dong and the Golden Heart Fund gave gifts worth nearly 60 million dong.

Among the gifts shipped to the islands, there were items for the cultural and spiritual life of the soldiers, such as calendars, books, newspapers, magazines and audio and video discs. Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Ket, Head of the Propaganda and Training Department of Navy Zone 4 said: “To enable the soldiers to enjoy a happy, healthy and safe Tet celebration and be ready to fight, the Regional High Command and units have worked out plans and specific guidance for the organisation of the entertainment activities during the New Year’s celebration, and at the same time provided adequate commodities for the activities of the party and political work. The cultural and artistic activities, gymnastics and sports and folk games will be held during the celebration in accordance with the terrain conditions of each island. There will also be exchange activities between the soldiers and people on the islands and the visiting delegations.