Oath to Defend the Sea: A Stirring and Emotional Epic Honoring 70 Years of the Vietnam People's Navy

Oath to Defend the Sea, aired  on the evening of May 5 at Vietnam Television (VTV),  commemorates the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam People's Navy. The program was jointly produced by Vietnam Television and the Navy Command.

The event was attended by Rear Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem – Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Central Military Commission, Commander of the Navy; Nguyen Quang Duc – Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission; Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Binh – Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army; Lieutenant General Truong Thien To – Deputy Director of the General Political Department; Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong – Political Commissar of the Navy; as well as leaders from the Ministry of National Defense, Vietnam Television, city departments, distinguished naval families, and representatives of the Navy.

Through three main chapters, the program left a deep emotional impact on viewers, instilling pride in the heroic legacy of those who have guarded the nation's maritime sovereignty. Seamlessly blending history and  art, the show vividly retraces the 70-year journey of building, fighting, and maturing of the Vietnam People's Navy.

Historic Milestones and Heroic Figures

Audiences were taken back  in time to witness  key milestones in the formation and growth of the Navy, from the early days post-independence, to President Ho Chi Minh’s guidance on protecting the seas. Every documentary clip and story emphasized the strategic importance of the sea to Vietnam's sovereignty.

Emotional stories of real-life heroes added powerful depth to the show. The tale of Phan Văn Nhờ (also known as Tư Mau), a People's Armed Forces Hero, moved many to  tears. Despite tight blockades and enemy surveillance, he used clever disguises and even underwent dangerous facial surgery to continue his mission of transporting weapons by sea. Since 1971, he led over 30 successful missions delivering 500 tons of weapons to the southern battlefield. His sacrifice was boundless, as attested by his comrades.

In addition, one of the “legendary” forces of the Vietnam People's Navy, feared by the enemy, were the naval commandos. Within just seven years at Cua Viet, these elite soldiers fought in over 300 battles, sinking or damaging 336 American and South Vietnamese vessels and destroying numerous war installations. Appearing live on the program, People's Armed Forces Hero Trần Quang Khải revealed the method he and his comrades used to sink a 15,000-ton American oil tanker in 1969, a shocking event that made headlines in the U.S. media at the time.

These commandos also played a key role in the liberation of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands in 1975. Stories like that of martyr Ngo Van Quyen, who died at the  age of 20 during the final assault, reinforced the Navy’s resolve to defend national sovereignty to the last breath. The appearance of historical witnesses such as Van Phuoc Dac, Vice Admiral Mai Xuan Vinh, poet Tran Dang Khoa, and younger representatives like Captain Ngo Duc Anh created a powerful bridge between  generations.

Art Meets History

The program featured stirring performances that  brought  both pride and tears. The opening medley, We March Proudly, Oh Vietnam and Riding the Waves to Sea, set a solemn tone. Pham Thu Ha’s heartfelt rendition of “Crossing the Ocean” painted a majestic picture of the boundless seas guarded by the Navy. Trong Tan’s performance of Comrades captured the silent sacrifices and unbreakable brotherhood among sailors. The closing medley, The Sea Sings This Afternoon – Flying Over the East Sea  brought the show to a rousing  close.

More than a commemorative event, Oath to Defend the Sea was a solemn tribute to generations of naval personnel who have guarded Vietnam’s maritime borders for 70 years. The Navy has been honored with two Hero of the People's Armed Forces titles, a testament to its bravery and excellence. Guided by the traditions of courage, strategic prowess, and unwavering loyalty, the Vietnam People’s Navy continues  to fulfill its oath to the Party, to Uncle Ho, and the people, striving toward the vision of a strong maritime nation.