The ships have brought early traditional Tet atmosphere to soldiers and islanders with thousands of tonnes of Tet gifts and supplies from all parts of the country to 21 islands of the archipelagos.
Besides rice, Dong leaves to wrap the traditional cake of Tet – Banh Chung (square glutinous rice cake), pigs and chickens along with ornamental trees were also transported to the islands.
It has become a tradition for people across the country to send their gifts to the archipelago, some 300 nautical miles off Khanh Hoa province’s coast, just before Tet holiday. The gifts bring not only the Tet atmosphere from mainland but also encouragement to those who defend their nation’s territories days and nights regardless of hardship.
This year, 117 journalists and writers joined the 20-day voyage on the three vessels to Truong Sa, with the mission of reporting back home the daily life of soldiers and people on the islands. They also imparted to soldiers and islanders understanding about historical and legal proof affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos.
According to Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Dac Tai, the ships carried spring and traditional Tet to Truong Sa, helping tighten solidarity between mainland people and soldiers and locals on the islands.
The commander of Sinh Ton Dong Island Captain Dinh Ngoc Sang said he and his soldiers are deeply moved by the support from the mainland, saying that officers and soldiers on the island will try their utmost to fulfil the missions entrusted to them by the nation.
On Nam Yet island, 20 nautical miles from Sinh Ton Dong, Tet was really around the corner with Banh Chung, flower decoration, and art performances. Commander of the island Lieutenant Colonel Dao Van Kha said: “This is the third consecutive year I have welcomed the New Year on the island. I feel at home here because we have all the same food and traditional things for Tet as in the mainland”.
