Tet on Truong Sa archipelago is always marked by ornamental kumquat pots sent out from the mainland

Ships "carrying spring to the islands"

Spring has never failed to keep its appointment with Truong Sa and Tet on the islands always arrives earlier than on the mainland. Annual journeys reliably transport essential supplies and gifts from the mainland to the islands, islets and platforms - where soldiers stand steadfast, guarding the forefront against the wind, monitoring the sky, preserving the sea and maintaining peace for the country.

I was fortunate to join the Working Delegation of the Command of the Navy Zone 4 and journalists from across the country to visit the soldiers on duty on the islands of the Truong Sa archipelago in preparation for the Lunar New Year of 2020. At exactly 16:40 on December 21, 2019, the three most modern ships in the fleet of Fisheries Surveillance Unit 4 bid farewell to the mainland with long whistles at Cam Ranh military port, Khanh Hoa province. They proceeded in three routes: North, South and Central, navigating the waves across the ocean to reach the 33 islands and islets of Truong Sa archipelago of Vietnam.

The firm handshakes of the delegation leader, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Duy Huong, with officers and soldiers on Song Tu Tay Island warmly welcomed the delegation

The journey extended for 20 days at sea. Essential supplies, food and Tet gifts reaching Truong Sa include indispensable items such as glutinous rice, phrynium placentarium leaves, pork, fruits, candied treats, along with various means of transportation and essential tools. The provision of necessities and Tet gifts to Truong Sa is always a collaborative effort involving numerous organizations and individuals nationwide. In addition to material goods, each voyage also carries significant symbolic gifts, including tens of thousands of national flags sent to soldiers and fishermen on the islands; thousands of letters and New Year's cards from students nationwide, conveying warm wishes and heartfelt messages to the soldiers on the islands.

The year-end trips to the islands always see the participation of numerous journalists and reporters from press agencies across the country. Their role is to convey information from the mainland to the islands and provide the most authentic reflections of the lives of officers and soldiers, capturing the atmosphere of welcoming Tet on the islands. Despite the challenging sea conditions with turbulent waves and strong winds during this season, the seamanship, expertise and experience of the ship captains and naval soldiers ensure the safe and complete transfer of goods and Tet gifts to the islands and points throughout the Truong Sa archipelago.

The traditional wrapping of square-shaped Chung cakes using barringtonia asiatica leaves on the island, combined with phrynium placentarium leaves sent from the mainland to Nam Yet Island.

Always feeling close in reunion during Tet on distant islands

On every occasion at the end of the Gregorian calendar year, the islands, islets and platforms in the Truong Sa archipelago come alive with lively preparations for the Lunar New Year. Ships set sail from the mainland, carrying the homeland's affection and the traditional Tet flavors of the nation to the Truong Sa archipelago. Upon the arrival of the ships, the atmosphere of spring and family reunion on the distant islands begins.

Traditional Tet on the Truong Sa archipelago includes various types of cakes, candies, chicken, pork, Chung cakes and a tray of five fruits. Officers, soldiers and civilians join together to wrap Chung cakes with barringtonia asiatica leaves on the island, combined with phrynium placentarium leaves sent from the mainland. Everything is prepared early, with each person contributing to creating a bustling atmosphere reminiscent of the afternoon of the 30th day in hometown. The tray was solemnly presented by the soldiers to the altar of Uncle Ho and the Heroic martyrs.

Reporters, officials and soldiers on Nam Yet Island engaged in tug-of-war

The cultural performances celebrating the Party and the New Year, especially the dance and music, as well as sports exchanges between officials and soldiers with the working delegation, are always vibrant. The large halls on the islands are brightly lit, adorned with elaborate decorations and adorned with peach blossoms, apricot branches and kumquat trees sent from the mainland. Songs and music resonate, expressing a love for life and a determination to firmly protect the sovereignty of the islands in the hearts of every island soldier.

As the ships depart from the islands, leaving the last island behind, there are only a few days left until the Lunar New Year. During these days, the Tet welcoming atmosphere on the islands in the Truong Sa district becomes lively. The Tet of naval soldiers, whether on submerged or floating islands, is as abundant as on the mainland, featuring Chung cakes, peach and apricot blossoms and more. Despite being away from family, every officer and soldier always feels warmth due to the material and spiritual support from people across the country.

Barringtonia asiatica flower

On every Tet occasion, the islands also organize Tet greetings where officers, soldiers and civilians go to temples to pray for good things and peace in the new year, expressing their determination to firmly protect the sovereignty of the Vietnamese homeland. Every year, the tradition of "bringing Spring to the islands" continues, with kumquat trees, peach and apricot branches, golden apricot blossoms and orchid branches proudly displaying their beauty across the Truong Sa archipelago.