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| New Year lucky money for the “green buds” |
Fragrant dong leaves intertwined with sea poison tree leaves
As the morning sun started to sparkle on the lush foliage of wind-swept trees (scaevola taccada) and sea poison trees (barringtonia asiatica), with the leaves joyfully swaying with the warm spring breeze and the waves cheerfully murmuring along the shore, heralding the approaching New Year, the atmosphere in the spacious courtyard of the sovereignty landmark on Da Tay A (West Reef East) Island, Truong Sa Archipelago, was also filled with excitement as the Chung Cake (the Vietnamese traditional square sticky rice cake) Wrapping Contest began. The participants included naval officers and soldiers, members of various forces, and households residing and working on the island.
Though the signal to start had been given, no one seemed to be in a hurry. Instead, they carefully handled each ingredient – dong leaves, sticky rice, mung beans, and pork – recently delivered by ship No. 561 and the working delegation of Naval Region 4 after many days and nights braving the waves from Cam Ranh Military Port (Khanh Hoa), which represents love from the mainland, along with the island’s largest, greenest sea poison tree leaves, imbued with the salty essence of the sea breeze.”
The strong hands of the soldiers, the skilled hands of the women, and the tiny hands of the “helping” children worked together in perfect harmony, attending to every detail with care and precision, to craft the first perfectly square-shaped Chung cakes completed amidst the applause and cheers of both the contestants and spectators.
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| Preparing for Tet in Truong Sa |
The freshly made Chung cakes were neatly lined up in rows. Some were wrapped in Dong leaves, others were wrapped in sea poison tree leaves. Specially, some were wrapped in both types of leaves, embracing each other tightly around the filling, which creates a rich and harmonious flavor. With a warm smile, Lieutenant Colonel Le Ngoc Nam, the political officer of the Da Tay (East Reef) Island Cluster, shared: “Every officer and soldier can feel the love from the mainland through every fresh Dong leaf and every grain of fragrant sticky rice that has braved the waves to reach this place. In return, we would also like to send the resilient spirit of Truong Sa through the sea poison tree leaves gathered from the islands. Chung cakes wrapped in both Dong leaves and sea poison tree leaves symbolize the deep and enduring bond - blending the love and devotion of the mainland with the unwavering spirit of those at the nation’s maritime outpost.”
Spontaneously, images of the long journey of New Year gifts from the mainland to Truong Sa Archipelago flooded the mind: every time goods were transferred from large ships to smaller boats navigating toward the islands, navy soldiers used their own bodies to shield them against the relentless crashing waves, ensuring that every apricot branch, kumquat tree, bundle of Dong leaves, and giftbox wrapped in floral-patterned paper – radiant as a smile – remained intact.
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Kumquat trees braving the waves to reach the remote islands
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Lifting the Chung cake, breathing in the aroma of the mainland intertwined with the salty essence of the sea breeze, one can truly savor its rich, warm, and sweet flavor. This deepens the love for each island amidst the vast ocean – the second home of officers, soldiers, and civilians who dedicate themselves to safeguarding the nation’s sacred maritime sovereignty. Such steadfast home, filled with the warmth of comradeship, solidarity and compatriotism, is etched with beloved names: Co Lin (Collins Reef), Len Dao (Lansdowne Reef), Sinh Ton (Sin Cowe), Da Dong (East London Reef), Da Tay (West London Reef), etc.
Embracing spring by the waves
The waves murmured along the shore in the early morning on Da Tay A (West Reef East) Island, joyfully welcoming the New Year. Young children, dressed in the vibrant traditional ao dai, beamed with excitement. Meanwhile, women, adorned in their most beautiful outfits, held the hands of their husbands and children. Households on the island eagerly embarked on their New Year’s outing, joining officers and soldiers at Da Tay A Pagoda, which was nestled by the waves, to seek spring’s blessings. The pagoda bell chimed serenely, resonating through the pristine sky and sea, where the vast ocean “merges” with the heavens to form a seamless stretch of blue, filling every heart with a profound sense of awe and emotion.
A young soldier, smiling with misty eyes, shared: “Even amid the vast ocean, we still have apricot blossoms, Chung cakes, and sweets, each of which is a heartfelt token of love for Truong Sa from the entire nation. But the most precious New Year’s gift for the officers, soldiers, and residents here is the presence of the delegation and reporters from all over Vietnam. Together, we wrap Chung cakes, decorate Uncle Ho’s altar, give our all in the festive cultural night celebrating the Party and Spring, stand in solemn reverence during the New Year’s flag-raising ceremony at the sovereignty marker, and plant new trees, nurturing fresh green shoots for a new spring.”
On the tiny Da Dong (East London Reef) Island, where high tides often send waves crashing onto its shores, Colonel Le Dinh Hai, Head of the delegation, and Lieutenant Colonel Duong Chi Nguyen, Deputy Head of Naval Region 4’s working delegation, shared their heartfelt words: “The journey to Truong Sa is challenging arduous. Particularly, each time we descend into smaller boats to navigate toward the islands, facing us are hardships and even dangers. Hence, we are deeply touched and grateful that the reporters endure these challenges with us. Your presence is not just about fulfilling a duty; it is the most precious gift, a tremendous source of encouragement for the officers, soldiers, and residents at the nation’s maritime outpost, especially during the New Year. You serve as a vital bridge connecting Truong Sa to the beloved mainland, bringing spring warmth to the New Year celebrations here.”
It was Lieutenant Colonel Duong Chi Nguyen who stood at the edge of the boat to shield the reporters from the splashing waves. As the boat was navigating through towering waves, he started singing “Gan lam Truong Sa” (So close, Truong Sa) with heartfelt emotion. His voice reassured everyone on board as they made their way to meet the officers, soldiers, and residents on the island, ensuring a warm and fulfilling Tet in Truong Sa.”
At the sacred moment when the new year dawns and the old one bids farewell, the island commanders step to the water’s edge to offer New Year wishes and distribute lucky money to the soldiers firmly gripping their weapons during their night watch. Their smiles and firm handshakes speak of a solemn vow – to protect the springtime of the islands – which is a scene that will forever be imprinted in the memory of Tet in Truong Sa.