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| Training for the naval parade, preparing for National Day |
“Willing to die for the Fatherland, determined that the nation shall live”
Naval Vessel 571 of the 4th Naval Region cuts swiftly through the waves. This marks the sixth day of an 18-day voyage, carrying officers, soldiers, and more than 50 journalists on a mission to visit troops and civilians stationed across the Spratly Islands. In the late afternoon, golden rays scatter endlessly across the vast sea. Ahead of the ship’s bow, seabirds glide gracefully and dolphins leap joyfully, performing their free-spirited dance amidst the open ocean.
Every evening, after dinner, most journalists gather at the bow to enjoy the view. Not everyone has the chance to visit the Spratly Islands, so we cherish every moment of this journey. Beyond our reporting duties, we seize every opportunity to capture the breathtaking beauty of the Spratly Islands, a steadfast shield protecting the sovereignty of the nation.
But today, all of that takes a back seat. Amidst the solemn roar of the waves, everyone - together with the navy soldiers - turns their thoughts to a sacred task: preparing fresh wreaths and folding paper cranes for the memorial service honoring the 64 heroic soldiers who courageously laid down their lives in the waters of Co Lin, Len Dao, and Gac Ma in the Spratly Islands, embodying the immortal spirit: “Willing to die for the Fatherland, determined that the nation shall live.”
Thirty-six years have passed since that historic day, March 14, 1988, yet the image remains vivid: Vietnamese naval soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder, forming a human circle, using their own bodies to shield the national flag from enemy fire. Their defiance has become an eternal symbol, the “immortal circle.” Their unyielding courage is the steel shield at the nation’s frontier, ensuring that the sovereignty of our seas is safeguarded.
Yellow chrysanthemums, red roses, and white lilies, carefully preserved throughout the rough journey, are now woven into wreaths of purity. Paper cranes, symbols of peace, are folded gently by loving hands.
From historical records and collective memory, every Vietnamese knows of the fierce yet tragic battle of Gac Ma, where 64 soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. Now, standing on the waters that cradle their resting place, we feel the sacred presence of their spirits merging with the sound of the waves. Overcome with emotion, tears of grief and gratitude flow quietly and unbidden.
Nguyen Khac An, a journalist from Nghe An, shares his deep feelings: tasked with reporting on the Spratly mission, he was moved by the thought of “meeting” his childhood friend and classmate, martyr Le Ba Giang, one of the 64 fallen soldiers of Gac Ma. After decades apart, he finally has the chance to send a handful of earth from their hometown into the sea, a gesture of warmth and remembrance. “Now, I can speak to my friend directly: Your family, your homeland, your friends will always remember you and remain forever proud of you,” he said.
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| The oath beneath the flag |
Carrying forward the soldiers’ legacy
Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tho, Deputy Brigade Commander of Brigade 146, 4th Naval Region, gently weaved flowers into wreaths as he spoke in a solemn tone: Every time naval vessels bring delegations to visit the Spratly Islands, before arriving at Co Lin and Len Dao, they perform this sacred memorial ceremony to honor the fallen heroes.
For Senior Lieutenant Colonel Tho and his comrades, preparing and conducting these ceremonies has become a frequent duty. However, the emotions each time were the same, filled with respect, love, and gratitude for their predecessors who sacrificed everything for the Fatherland. These moments forge an unshakable determination in every officer and soldier: to fulfill the tasks entrusted by the Party and the People, to follow in the footsteps of their forebears, to overcome every hardship, and to defend the nation’s maritime sovereignty with unity and resolve.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tho said: “With that determination, during the years of carrying out missions on Vietnam’s seas and islands, 13 DK1 platform soldiers have heroically sacrificed their lives during peacetime, among whom nine martyrs remain forever in the depths of the sea after violent storms. Most recently, in December 2023, Captain Nguyen Tai Thi, Deputy Commander of DK1/12 platform, and Captain Do Tung Linh, Political Officer assigned to ship 202, also permanently rest in the middle of the open sea.”
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| During a break in the training session of officers and soldiers of the 5th Naval Region |
To be worthy of the tremendous sacrifices of countless heroic martyrs, the officers and soldiers of the Navy who are carrying out missions on Vietnam’s seas and islands - especially on the Spratly Archipelago, the steadfast shield protecting the nation’s sovereignty - have been willing to give up much of their personal happiness, standing firm on the front lines amid crashing waves and fierce winds, holding their weapons tightly day and night to guard the sea and sky. At the same time, they serve as a support point for fishermen venturing offshore to sustain their livelihoods and develop the maritime economy, and also act as living milestones at sea, joining forces to safeguard national maritime sovereignty.
In 2023 and 2024, the subordinate and affiliated forces of Naval Region 4, while carrying out their maritime missions, guided fishing vessels safely in and out of anchorage areas and harbors to take shelter from storms, ensuring safety in over 20,000 cases. They also conducted rescue and emergency operations for nearly 200 cases on the islands of the Spratly Archipelago.
From 2022 to 2024, the Spratly Island Medical Center provided medical examinations and treatment to nearly 4,500 patients. Among these, they successfully rescued nearly 150 emergency cases (including fishermen in distress at sea, transferred from other islands) and performed nearly 200 successful surgeries, many of which were major procedures, such as operations for necrotic appendicitis.
According to information from the Vietnam People’s Navy, most recently, on August 12, the Da Tay Island Infirmary promptly provided initial emergency treatment to Tran Van Ty, a fisherman, from Binh Thuan Province, who suffered decompression sickness while deep diving, showing symptoms of muscle pain, limb weakness, and partial paralysis. Naval Squadron 129’s Ship 937 then transferred Mr. Ty to the Spratly Island Medical Center for further treatment, ultimately restoring his health and saving his life.
The night before the memorial ceremony seemed shorter, as emotions were overwhelming. At dawn, under the bright red national flag proudly flying over the skies and seas of the Spratly Island, on the deck of Ship 571, officers, soldiers, and all the accompanying journalists raised their eyes solemnly, quietly calling the names of the fallen heroes forever bound with the name of the Fatherland. Amidst the gentle sound of the waves, a new peaceful day began.