Lesson 1 - On the restless waves

VHO - Without military rank or training in the training ground, each trip of the fishermen of the Central region, from Tam Giang lagoon of Hue, Nam O beach of Da Nang to Sa Ky, Ly Son of Quang Ngai is a journey to protect the territorial waters and sovereignty of the Fatherland. Under the waves, in hardships and challenges, the spirit of patriotism still shines brightly through the calloused hands, through the eyes looking towards the vast East Sea.

Soldiers without uniforms

In recent years, when the situation at sea has changed a lot, the role of fishermen has been affirmed not only in economic aspects but also as a symbol of courage and perseverance.

They were the first to be present in traditional fishing grounds, where Vietnam's sovereignty is affirmed not by maps but by its steadfast presence every day.

Quang Ngai fishermen's boats continue their journey to stay at sea and maintain sovereignty

In Quang Ngai, the fishing villages of An Vinh and An Hai on Ly Son Island have a tradition of going to Hoang Sa for hundreds of years. The stories about the Hoang Sa heroic army in the 17th century are no longer distant history books but exist in every fishing boat and every line of name engraved on the memorial stone.

Mr. Truong Van Hong, a fisherman over 60 years old, shared: “Every time I take my boat to Truong Sa and Hoang Sa to fish, the national flag is always flown on every boat. I know there are risks, but that is the fishing ground of our ancestors, if I leave, who will take care of it?”

Mr. Hong’s story is not an isolated one. Along the coast of Da Nang, hundreds of large-capacity fishing boats regularly go out to sea for long periods of time.

Teams of fishermen working together to exploit seafood at sea were formed, not only to support each other but also to monitor and report the situation if any strange ships entered the sea. That presence, silent but continuous, was a firm affirmation of the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands.

Am Hon Temple was built in the shape of a ship facing the sea. This is a sacred place of worship for Quang Ngai fishermen.

Not only ships and sails, the spirit of protecting the sea is also deeply imprinted in the culture and beliefs of the Central coastal region. Whale temples, fishing festivals, and boat singing are ways for people to express their gratitude to the sea and also a sacred oath to the Fatherland.

In Thuan An fishing village (Hue), every fishing festival season, the whole community goes to the beach to receive the whale spirit, make offerings, and perform folk songs and rowing. The atmosphere is both sacred and bustling, as a testament to the vitality of marine culture and the spirit of community solidarity through many generations.

The festival is not only to remember the sea, but also to remind each other that the sea is an inseparable part of the nation.

In Quang Ngai, the Am Hon Temple, built in the shape of a fishing boat, is a memorial to fishermen who died at sea. In the silent smoke of incense, stories about the journey to sea, about those who did not return, are always told with both tears and pride. It is an epic that does not need to be honored, it just needs to be continued.

Preserving the sea – preserving the nation's soul

The good news is that the spirit of protecting the sea is not limited to the fathers' generation. Many young people in the Central region today are clearly aware of their role in continuing the tradition of the sea and islands.

Schools in Da Nang organized the program "I tell stories about my homeland's sea and islands", writing competitions, composing music and drawing pictures on the theme of Hoang Sa - Truong Sa. Many students expressed their desire to become navy soldiers, marine engineers or oceanographic researchers.

The Hoang Sa naval fleet monument complex, which also manages Truong Sa. This monument complex is a symbol of famous commanders in history such as Phu Nhuan Marquis Vo Van Phu, Hoi Nghia Marquis Vo Van Khiet, Chief of the Navy Pham Van Nguyen, Chief of the Navy Pham Huu Nhat, Chief of the Navy Pham Van Bien... They have been recorded in history books along with tens of thousands of soldiers in the heroic Hoang Sa fleet, which managed Truong Sa in the past.

In Hue, the "Youth with the Sea and Islands" club has organized many visits, presented gifts and interacted with the fisheries surveillance force and the coast guard. Through these meetings, the children learned to love the sea not only through words but also through concrete actions, from preserving the marine environment to promoting sovereignty on social networks.

The fishermen of the Central region, with all their love and courage, have been carrying out a great mission: guarding every inch of water and wave of the Fatherland. In hardship and uncertainty, they remain steadfast and determined, like living milestones affirming undeniable sovereignty.

Protecting the sea is not only the duty of the navy and coast guard, but also the common cause of the whole nation, from fishermen, cultural artisans, teachers, to every student in school.

Every story, every festival, every picture of the sea and islands, if preserved and spread properly, will become a powerful soft weapon in the fight to protect sovereignty.

On those restless waves, there are still patriotic hearts, steady hands on the wheel, and eyes always looking towards a single horizon: the East Sea - where the soul of the Vietnamese people constantly waves.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/bai-1-tren-nhung-con-song-khong-lang-151592.html