One of the most meaningful activities every Tet holiday on Truong Sa Island (Truong Sa Special Zone) is the Green Chung Cake Making Contest.
From early morning, the unit's yard was bustling like a festival. Officers, soldiers and people on the island together prepared ingredients: sticky rice, green beans, pork, dong leaves.
Hands that were familiar with storms are now skillfully folding leaves and tying bamboo strings. People who know how to do it guide those who are not familiar, creating a joyful and warm atmosphere.
Laughter and laughter echoed amidst the blue sky and salty sea breeze, making the distance from the mainland seem to be narrowed. When the pot of cakes was lit, everyone took turns staying up all night.
Kitchen smoke mixed with sea breeze creates a very unique Tet scent in remote islands. In the flickering firelight, the story of family and homeland is recalled with many emotions.
Banh chung is not only a traditional dish but also a symbol of reunion and reunion. Even in places hundreds of nautical miles away from the mainland, that custom is still preserved intact as a rope connecting the remote island with the homeland.
Senior Lieutenant Tran Hoang Hai - Team Leader on the island - shared that this is the first time he has participated in the banh chung wrapping contest in Truong Sa. "The atmosphere is very exciting, each team tries to wrap the most square and beautiful banh chung.
The meaning is not only in the judging results but also in the spirit of solidarity, the harmonious coordination between comrades in the unit. In the open sea, being able to jointly preserve traditional customs like this makes me clearly feel that Tet has truly come," Senior Lieutenant Hai said.
Not only officers and soldiers, but also households living on the island are busy preparing to welcome spring. Houses are cleaned and decorated neatly. Children eagerly help their parents prepare Tet feasts.
The first meal of the year on the island is simple but full of affection. Green banh chung, braised pork, vegetable soup and familiar seafood dishes create a very unique flavor of spring in the islands.
In the middle of the ocean, when the mainland is already bustling with fireworks and spring colors, in Truong Sa, the pots of red Chung cakes are the clearest sign of Tet reunion.
In the salty sun and wind, the traditional Tet flavor is still intact and persistent, just like the will of those who are day and night guarding the sea.
