The bridge connecting millions of hearts on the mainland with the remote islands
We met at Cam Ranh military port on a scorching hot day, some arrived early, some later but all were extremely excited as many of us were on our first dream journey to beloved Truong Sa. Before the ship left the port, several journalists went all over Cam Ranh to buy national flags. Everyone wanted to preserve memories of Truong Sa with all they could.
The 5am signal was given but it seemed like no one could sleep all night. The feeling of touching the dream of many years of journalism made us restless, counting the hours until dawn. The port greeting ceremony took place on the pier solemnly and simply with the national flag fluttering in the sea breeze and the white navy uniforms shimmering below the deck. In the early morning light, more than 200 people with bright red flags and yellow stars began their journey proudly and excitedly.
With the expectation of having the newest topics, the most unique and emotional expressions, we, the journalists in Working Group No. 10, from the very first moments when the ship left the port, were absorbed in contacts to exploit information. From the kitchen serving the Working Group, from the emotions of the members of the Working Group, to the sailors, naval officers... All information, emotions, and frames were exploited during the ship's movement.
The atmosphere was even more urgent when the ship reached the islands. On this voyage, our Working Group No. 10 visited the islands of Song Tu Tay, Da Thi, Sinh Ton, Co Lin, Len Dao, Truong Sa and DK1/2 - Phuc Tan Platform. For each journalist, every minute on the island was precious because they understood that in a very short period of time, they had to make the most of it to have a quality press product. And they made the most of it because of a more pressing reason: not knowing when they could return to this place!
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Journalists working on a business trip. |
In our group of journalists working in Working Group No. 10, there was journalist Nguyen Thanh Nam from Banking Times who had been to Truong Sa. It was his second time but the feeling of restlessness was still intact.
“As a journalist who was part of the working group to Truong Sa in 2022, this trip for me is not simply a professional task, but a journey back to sacred memories, to the flesh and blood of the Fatherland at the forefront of the storm,” said Mr. Nam.
This time, journalist Thanh Nam brought a different mindset. He was no longer a “first-timer to the island” but was more thoughtful and mature in every step and every frame he took. “I noticed many positive changes: better infrastructure, the soldiers’ lives were increasingly improved, especially the steadfast spirit and charisma of those who were guarding the sea and sky of their homeland. I heard them tell stories about night patrols in the stormy sea, stories about welcoming New Year’s Eve on the island, and even the handwritten letters they sent back to the mainland. Each story was imbued with patriotism, silent sacrifice, and steadfast faith in the Fatherland,” Nam shared emotionally.
For journalist Thanh Nam, working in Truong Sa is not only a duty but also a great honor. He is always aware that each article and each photo conveyed from this place is not only information, but also a bridge connecting millions of hearts on the mainland with the distant islands. “That is how I contribute a small part to the cause of preserving the sovereignty of the sea and islands - with my pen, with the authenticity of my experience and with all my affection for the soldiers at the forefront.”
In the middle of the ocean, there are soldiers bearing the image of the Fatherland.
As for journalist Tran Dieu Thuy (Vietnam News Agency), a colleague who always “appears and disappears” every time the ship arrives at the island, like me, this is the first time she has come to Truong Sa. Listening to the way Thuy speaks, I clearly feel the sacred “responsibility” that Thuy is very aware of having to carry out on this trip. That is, as the leading news agency in the country, “coming to Truong Sa is not only to learn more about a land but also to send readers my feelings about the sea and islands of the Fatherland through my journalistic works”.
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Journalists working on the island. |
The pressure on Thuy is not only the white-capped waves that make people unable to sit still, seasick to the point of green and yellow bile, but also "writing things that do not repeat what colleagues in their own agency have done before. Because each trip to Truong Sa is a difficult time, every reporter tries to collect as much material as possible. However, choosing a topic that does not repeat what their colleagues have done before is something that not every reporter can do," Thuy said.
Luckily, on the journey to Truong Sa, according to Dieu Thuy, she met writers and artists from the Hai Phong Literature and Arts Association who were visiting Truong Sa for the first time. “I was really impressed with those writers and artists because most of them were over 70 years old. Even though they were not in good health and sometimes had to see a doctor, they still tried to compose good poems and literary works to perform during the 7-day journey at sea. From that impression, I also wrote an article and a video about these writers and artists in my series of 5 Truong Sa articles.”
As for journalist Nguyen Manh Hung (Cong Ly Newspaper), a young man who ventured out to find valuable frames, he shared: “In my journey as a journalist, I have traveled to many different lands - from remote mountainous areas to remote areas, from remote villages to offshore islands. Each place left me with special memories, but perhaps the business trip to Truong Sa was the most sacred and emotional journey - an unforgettable milestone in my writing career.
One of the most emotional images of our special journey was the image of the navy soldiers. We interacted with them on all the submerged islands, floating islands, drilling rigs and even when we boarded the ship with kindness and responsibility.
They were there, the navy soldiers with young but dark, tough faces from the sun and wind. When I asked about their homeland, they suppressed their homesickness and said that duty was above all, very sacred and proud. As for the navy officers, a term of service could last up to 2-3 years depending on the mission requirements. However, for them, now “the island becomes home, the sea becomes homeland”. Because they are aware that they are never alone, because behind them is the whole country.
Journalist Dieu Thuy said that what she remembers most is the men's eyes, sparkling like the ocean in the early morning but containing an iron will, resilient in the face of all challenges. Under the salty sun and wind of the remote island, their skin was tanned, strong like the maple trees clinging to the waves. "It was you who motivated me, who was the support for me to always be aware of my responsibility, to do my job well so that I could appreciate and love the job I chose more," Ms. Thuy shared.
Journalist Manh Hung said that the trip to Truong Sa deeply engraved in him pride and gratitude. Grateful for the generations who fell to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands. Grateful for the people at the forefront of today's storms, who, despite hardships and storms, never retreat, dare to fight and sacrifice for "an oath to protect the sea". Grateful so that each passing day, as a journalist, "I need to live more responsibly, through my journalistic works to contribute to spreading love for the Fatherland, love for the sea and islands to readers". And for him, "the memory of Truong Sa will always be the motivation for me to continue firmly on the path of journalism - the path that I have chosen with deep faith and love".
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As I write these lines, the East Sea is still roaring with waves. The raging waves continue endlessly but cannot shake the brave will of the navy soldiers guarding the sea.
“Congratulations to journalists on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Press”, a simple message sent to the middle of the ocean to let me know that the long sea voyage for the “special mission” of a navy soldier has ended. And in that faraway place, I still hope to return one day. Truong Sa to me is not only a memory but also a reminder of the great responsibility of a writer…
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/truong-sa-trong-tim-moi-nha-bao-post552369.html
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