Ahead of the Year of the Snake, a delegation of reporters from central and local press agencies, together with representatives of Brigade 146 from Naval Region 4, boarded Vessel HQ-561 to pay a Lunar New Year (Tet) visit to Truong Sa archipelago.
Officials and soldiers of Naval Region 4 are determined to surmount difficulties to help the delegation safely arrive in Truong Sa archipelago.
Spring comes early onTruong Sa archipelago
In the run up to the Year of the Snake 2025, the Naval Region 4 High Command have arranged delegations to visit, present gifts, and offer Tet greetings to soldiers and residents on some islands of Truong Sa archipelago. Boarding Vessel 561, the delegation brought along a large number of essential supplies, including food and items for daily use, prepared by the Navy as well as agencies, units and people nationwide.
Tet gifts are transferred to Vessel HQ-561 at Cam Ranh military port, Khanh Hoa province, to send the spring to Truong Sa.
On the afternoon of December 26, 2024, the ship departed Cam Ranh military port, Khanh Hoa province, bringing along the excitement and eagerness of delegation members, many of whom were on their first-ever trip to Truong Sa.
Gifts coming to Truong Sa islanders included peach blossom branches and kumquat trees – two symbols of Tet; dong leaves, flutinuous rice, mung bean and pork for making chung cakes – a signature dish of the traditional festival; along with pickled onions, confectionery, candied fruits, fresh fruits, decorations and new calendars. In particular, there were also tea, gifts from people of Hoa Binh city, books, paintings, and letters from students and people from all corners of the country.
Soldiers on An Bang Island read the Hoa Binh Newspaper.
Speaking before the departure, Colonel Ngo Dinh Xuyen, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, said the organisation of Tet visits in combination with the reportage of the life and works of soldiers and residents on Truong Sa archipelago reflects the special attention and profound sentiments from the Party, the State, collectives, and people from the mainland towards maritime and insular areas.
He described those sentiments as a great source of support and encouragement for officials and soldiers of Naval Region 4, who are firmly protecting every inch of the sacred islands and seas of the Fatherland.
Officials and soldiers of the Vietnam Peoples Navy transport kumquat and peace blossom trees to islands of Truong Sa archipelago.
Senior Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Thanh, Commissar of Vessel HQ-561, said thorough preparations were made to ensure absolute safety during the trip, helping delegation members fulfil their task of bringing the "spring of love” from the mainland to soldiers and residents on Truong Sa archipelago.
Warm sentiments reach faraway islands
Travelling hundreds of nautical miles amid the rough sea season, Vessel HQ-561 arrived at Truong Sa Island on early December 28, 2024. All people on board were touched by local officials, soldiers, and residents present at the quay early to welcome the delegation.
The delegation present Tet gifts to Truong Sa islanders.
Peach blossom branches, kumquat trees, dong leaves, essential supplies, and many gifts from the mainland were handed over to soldiers and residents on the islands of Truong Sa Lon, An Bang, Da Dong B, and Da Tay A, among others, demonstrating the attention and sentiments from people nationwide towards Truong Sa.
On the islands, the delegation enquired after, offered encouragement, and sent Tet greetings to soldiers and residents. They also joined locals in Tet celebrating activities such as making chung cakes, musical performances, and folk games, helping strengthen the military – civilian bond.
Thanks to thoughtful preparations by Naval Region 4 and close coordination among officials, soldiers, and residents on islands, the year-end journey braved unfavourable weather conditions to fulfil the task of safely sending greetings, hundreds of tonnes of Tet gifts, as well as the warm sentiments from the mainland to soldiers and residents of the islands.
At the ceremony welcoming the delegation back to the mainland, Colonel Nguyen Huu Minh, Deputy Political Commissar of the Naval Region 4 High Command, said the trip provided enormous support for soldiers and residents on Truong Sa archipelago to stay united and weather all hardships to better perform the duty of safeguarding the sacred maritime sovereignty of the Fatherland.
To reporters of press agencies, the Tet trip to Truong Sa was an extremely interesting and precious experience, helping them gain further understanding of the value of life, patriotism, and comradeship.
In the spirit of "Party members go first, the people follow”, all households of Party members in the Doan Ket sub-region in Da Bac town, Da Bac district, voluntarily removed gates and fences, and donated land when the road expansion project passed through their properties. Inspired by their example, 68 households in the sub-region quickly followed suit, contributing over 1,400 sq.m of residential and perennial cropland to widen the main road through the residential area. The exemplary role of Party members in Doan Ket stands as a shining example of studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality, and lifestyle.
The Hoa Binh provincial People's Committee held a monthly meeting on May 29 to assess the implementation of socio-economic development tasks in the first six months of 2025, the progress of key projects, and some other important issues.
During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh always expressed his deep affection and special concern for children and youth. He once emphasized: "Caring for and educating children well is the responsibility of the entire Party and the entire people”; "First of all, the family (i.e. grandparents, parents, siblings) must do this job well”. "the Party Committees…, the Children’s Committee, the Youth Union, the education sector, and all related organizations must have specific plans to ensure children grow healthier and more progressive”. His teachings has been remaining valuable and serving as the guiding principles in the work of protecting, caring for, and educating children. In line with this ideology, Hoa Binh Province has continuously been prioritizing and investing resources in the well-being of children in recent years.
Mr. Nguyen Phi Long, the alternate Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee chaired the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee to provide opinions on several investment projects within the province. There was the attendance of Ms. Bui Thi Minh, the Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council; Mr. Bui Đuc Hinh, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee and other members of the Standing Committee; the leaders from other departments, agencies, and some localities.
The Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Hoa Binh province held a meeting on May 28 to honour outstanding village elders, village heads, and reputable individuals from local ethnic minority and religious communities.
In mid-May, the provincial Museum organised an exhibition named "Duoi la co Dang Cong san Viet Nam quang vinh” (Under the flag of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam). This meaningful activity took place in the joyful atmosphere to celebrate the country's major holidays and the Party congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term, towards the 14th National Party Congress.
