70 years of the Vietnam People's Navy: 'Living sovereignty milestone' at sea

Today (May 7) marks the 70-year journey of establishment, gradual growth and professionalism of the Vietnam People's Navy. In that journey, we cannot fail to mention DK1, the system of platforms considered as the "living sovereignty stele" of the nation at sea.

Delegation of officials, civil servants and press of Ho Chi Minh City during a visit to Truong Sa island district - Photo: TU TRUNG

Along with soldiers on duty at Truong Sa archipelago , officers and soldiers on those "living sovereignty monuments" of Naval Region 2 have been courageous and silently sacrificed over the years to fulfill their duty of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and islands, and preserving the territorial integrity of the Fatherland.

Currently, on the southern continental shelf, there are 15 DK1 platforms guarding the coral reefs including Ba Ke, Phuc Tan, Que Duong, Huyen Tran, Phuc Nguyen, Tu Chinh and Ca Mau shoals under the names DK1/1, DK1/2, DK1/8, DK1/10... Each platform is likened to the proud and majestic stance of Vietnam in the midst of endless storms.

In a place where "heads touch the sky and feet do not touch the ground", surrounded on all sides by only vast water, each navy soldier is performing his duty day and night, ready to sacrifice to enhance the tradition of "steadfastness and courage, overcoming all difficulties, solidarity and discipline, maintaining sovereignty" as the soldier's oath when going to the oil rig to perform his duty.

"As long as there are people, there will be rigs" has become an honorable promise for the past 36 years of generations of DK1 officers and soldiers.

There they sharpened their fighting spirit to stay steadfast in any situation, so that the mainland could have a peaceful life.

Those "wave-winged" soldiers chose to dedicate their youth to the Fatherland with a sacred and noble mission. Because for them, if "everyone chooses the easy job, who will be left with the hard work...".

Thirteen naval officers and soldiers have died while on duty in the DK1 platform area due to unusual natural disasters. Eight of them will forever remain in the middle of the ocean. Their graves are the white-capped waves, the coral reefs under the deep sea, but their names will be remembered forever.

DK1 sovereignty landmark stands tall and proud amidst the stormy sea

Training to be ready to fight and destroy anti-aircraft targets

Ca Mau platform welcomes helicopters for take-off and landing training

Tender farewell before soldiers go to DK1 platform to perform their duty

Letters from home, a precious gift from the mainland, although communication with the oil rigs is now much more convenient.

Moving goods to DK1 platform during storm season - Photo: MAI THANG

Caring for each green sprout growing in the middle of the ocean waves

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/70-nam-hai-quan-nhan-dan-viet-nam-cot-moc-chu-quyen-song-tren-bien-20250507084310351.htm#content-3