On the morning of April 29, 1975, the Naval Command, together with supporting forces from Military Region 5, launched an assault to liberate Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago. At 9 a.m., the islands were completely liberated.
Thirty-seven years ago today, 64 soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy bravely sacrificed their lives in the depths of the sea to defend Vietnam's sovereignty in the East Sea. Their sacrifice in Gac Ma battle remains etched in history, serving as a lasting reminder to the Vietnamese people of their duty to safeguard the nation’s maritime sovereignty and build a strong military force.
Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago is entering a new historical era of construction and development. The archipelago is ready to defend the Fatherland’s sovereignty over the sacred seas and islands.
Across the islands of the Truong Sa Archipelago and the DK1 oil rig, Vietnam’s national flag is not only proudly displayed atop flagpoles and sovereignty markers but also in residential areas and units and on boats and rafts on the islands, as well as on the boats of fishermen venturing to sea day and night.
Tens of meters above sea level, a lush green vegetable garden thrives on the DK1/21 platform amidst the vast East Sea. This garden includes water spinach, Malabar spinach, cucumber vines, and various herbs.
After 49 years of post-liberation construction and development (1975 - 2024), the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago in Truong Sa island district, the south central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, has been undergoing continuous changes. Welfare facilities such as cultural houses, schools, hospitals, and berths are either being modernised or built.
36 years have passed since the heroic battle to safeguard the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago (March 14, 1988-2024), and the courageous sacrifice of 64 Vietnamese navy soldiers in the Gac Ma Battle will forever be remembered in the hearts of Vietnamese people. The event was also a reminder for generations to firmly safeguard the national sovereignty over seas and islands.
The Command of Naval Region 4 reported on January 24 that its Naval Ship 471 had successfully completed a rescue operation for five fishermen aboard a fishing boat from the central province of Binh Dinh.
Thirty five years ago, 64 naval engineers and soldiers bravely sacrificed their lives in a battle to protect the Gac Ma, Co Lin, and Len Dao Reefs in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago. The soldiers and their sacrifice have remained in the hearts of Vietnamese people.
Electricity Vietnam (EVN) has been operating clean energy and lighting systems across Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and nearby DK1 platform since August 2017 despite multiple challenges.
War veterans who used to be stationed on the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago held a ceremony in the central city of Da Nang on March 13 to commemorate 64 soldiers of the Vietnamese navy who died on duty 34 years ago while defending the Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam's Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago on March 14, 1988.
The KN472 fisheries resources surveillance vessel timely transferred a patient from Da Tay island to a health facility on Truong Sa island of the south central province of Khanh Hoa on December 20, according to Fisheries Resources Surveillance Division No.4.
As typhoon Rai is changing its moving direction in the waters to the northwest of Truong Sa archipelago, coastal localities are bracing for the impacts of the super typhoon.
Far-flung Truong Sa archipelago has been brought closer to people on the mainland since the lives of soldiers and local residents, who spare no effort to protect the nation’s sacred seas and skies, have regularly featured in the media. The archipelago has won a place in the hearts of many journalists, helping them become more responsible in their work and gain a greater respect for their career.
Some of the islands in the Truong Sa archipelago have been equipped with special shelter areas considered “common homes” at sea for fishermen to stay safe amid storms and access fishery logistics services, and which also help safeguard Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty.
On Son Ca Island in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago of Khanh Hoa province, nearly 1,000 nautical miles from the mainland, is a monument dedicated to General Vo Nguyen Giap, helping to educate young soldiers on the island about one of Vietnam’s greatest military strategists.
46 years after national reunification, Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago has been given a facelift. The archipelago is covered by not only the blue of the sea but also the green of trees planted by soldiers. On the islands of Song Tu Tay, Son Ca, Nam Yet and Sinh Ton, four trees, aged more 300 years old, have been recognised as "Vietnamese Heritage Trees".
As much as 23.7 billion VND (over 1 million USD) was donated by 119 organisations and agencies in Hanoi for the Fund for Vietnam’s Sea and Islands on April 12.
