Year-end train brings spring to the island
In the last days of the year, when the mainland is busy shopping, on the islands belonging to the Truong Sa special zone, the Tet atmosphere has been present in every daily work.
On the wharf, officers and soldiers urgently welcomed the last supply ship of the year. The ship traveled hundreds of nautical miles carrying necessities, Tet gifts, green trees, spring newspapers and handwritten letters from the mainland.
Each package of goods is transferred to the island with excitement. For the marine soldier, the year-end ship trip not only ensures logistics but is also a sacred bond connecting the mainland and the sea and islands.
Lieutenant Colonel Vu Duc Quynh, Commander of the island, shared: "Although conditions are still difficult, the unit always strives to ensure that soldiers and people on the island can celebrate Tet fully and warmly.
Taking care of the spiritual life of soldiers and people is an important task, contributing to consolidating the will and determination to protect sea and island sovereignty.
The spring atmosphere also started from renovating the barracks. The unit's yard was cleaned up, and the rows of houses were decorated with flags, flowers, and red parallel sentences.
Captain Tran Quoc Cuong, political commissar of the cluster, said that besides the task of training and combat readiness, the unit pays special attention to consolidating the landscape and environment during Tet.
The general cleaning and renovation of the campus, planting more trees, and taking care of vegetable gardens and flower gardens not only creates a spring atmosphere but also improves the spiritual life of soldiers, showing the will to stick with it for a long time, building Truong Sa to become increasingly regular and modern.
Keeping the flavor of the mainland in the open sea
One of the most anticipated activities every Tet holiday on the island is the Chung cake wrapping contest.
From early morning, the unit's yard was already bustling. Soldiers and people together prepared sticky rice, green beans, pork, and dong leaves. Hands familiar with waves and wind skillfully folded leaves and tied bamboo strings; those who knew how to do it guided those who were not familiar.
When the pot of cakes was lit, everyone took turns staying up all night.
Senior Lieutenant Tran Hoang Hai, platoon leader on the island, shared: "This is the first time I have participated in the Chung cake wrapping contest on the island.
The atmosphere is very lively, each team tries to wrap the most beautiful square cakes. The meaning is not only the judging results but also the spirit of solidarity and harmonious coordination between comrades in the unit.
In the middle of the ocean, being together to preserve traditional customs like this makes me clearly feel that Tet has truly come.
Not only in barracks, households living on the island are also busy preparing to welcome Tet.
The house is cleaned, the ancestral altar is decorated solemnly. Children eagerly help their parents prepare the feast.
Ms. Le Thi Huong Tram, a household living on the island, expressed: "In the days leading up to Tet, soldiers and people work together to clean up, plant trees, and take care of the vegetable garden.
Looking at the island becoming greener and cleaner, everyone is excited. Tet here is simple but very warm.
On the occasion of the Binh Ngo Lunar New Year 2026, the Party Committee and island command organized meetings, visits and gifts to comrades who are children of wounded soldiers and sick soldiers; policy families and households in difficult circumstances. The gifts were handed over, showing timely concern and encouragement and the tradition of "drinking water, remembering the source".
In the late afternoon of the year, the island yard became the venue for a spring celebration art program.
Songs about homeland, spring returning, island soldiers echoed emotionally; children performed in applause and cheers.
