Before the Gac Ma circle, see the immortal spring

Monument to commemorate 64 Vietnamese People's Navy soldiers who died in Gac Ma waters

Coming to Khanh Hoa, I chose this "red address" first to offer incense because I wanted to understand more deeply the great sacrifice of generations of predecessors for the sovereignty of the Fatherland.

64 sea flowers form the "Immortal Circle"

The wind blew as if from long ago, reminding, as if still blowing at hundreds of places, addresses, painfully engraved with the losses and sacrifices of generations of Vietnamese people, all over this S-shaped strip of land. The wind blew the incense smoke billowing into the air.

Towering, pure white, standing out against the deep blue sky, reflecting the color of the sea, the green of the trees and grass is a tight circle, a sacred oath of death. The monument cluster commemorating 64 Vietnamese sons from Thai Binh , Quang Tri, Quang Nam, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh... stands tall. As if there are still here the loyal soldiers stretching their chests to protect, determined to die to protect the national flag. They were immortal when they were still very young, some were only 20 years old.

The afternoon was quiet in the memorial area. I was alone, quietly looking at each relic, reading each line, each name, each note on the artifacts, the photos that had been marked by time at the underground exhibition area at the Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial Complex, and I felt more and more deeply. This was the direction of the Navy Party Committee on January 9, 1988: "The task of protecting the sovereignty of the sea and the Truong Sa archipelago is the most important, urgent task and also the honor of the Navy"...

The memorial site "Those who lie on the horizon" becomes a "red address" for educating about love for the Fatherland.

“... As for asking for my transfer, that’s fine, Mom and Dad. I can stay here until I leave the army. As for my family, don’t worry too much about me...” - this is an excerpt from the last letter that soldier-martyr Nguyen Van Phuong sent to his family. The letter was dated March 6, 1988, 8 days before he and his comrades died in the Gac Ma sea area.

And here is a black and white photo of the ship HQ-931 carrying wounded soldiers and our surviving soldiers back after the events of March 14, 1988...

The faded red flag with yellow star, the ship's rudder, old bowls, sandals, utensils, and work tools... of our soldiers were collected after the Gac Ma incident. All were soaked in the color of time; lying quietly in the display cabinet, evoking many emotions.

Reminding but not hateful. Reminding to appreciate more deeply the sovereignty of the homeland’s sea and islands. Only the pain of the soldiers’ great sacrifice in that year’s event still aches….

Extending the spring

Paper cranes released by officers, staff, and working group on ship HQ 571 in January 2024 to commemorate officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Gac Ma waters.

The afternoon suddenly became bustling at the memorial area because a group of Khanh Hoa youths came to this "red address" to hold the Youth Union admission ceremony. The children listened to the tour guide's explanation in order. The guide's explanation blended with the wind: "On March 14, 1988, China suddenly used its naval force with many warships and modern weapons to attack officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy on duty on Gac Ma Island in Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago. An unequal battle between the island construction and protection forces and the Vietnam People's Navy transport ships and many warships equipped with modern weapons of foreign navies occurred. To protect the sovereignty of the beloved sea and islands of the Fatherland, the officers and soldiers on Gac Ma Island fought steadfastly and indomitably, and 64 comrades heroically sacrificed themselves, 11 comrades were injured...". The students' eyes were wide open, wet...

c859465c-3bee-4589-8f05-c35500473dc8(1).jpeg — Students offer incense to commemorate martyrs. Photo: VG

“Our life is a march, our life is a soldier’s song. We sing it loudly, endlessly through the days and months, soaring over the mountains and hills of the border to the distant islands. Forever in our hearts, we sing the soldier’s song” - in a small corner of the Memorial grounds, the song “Sing Forever the March” suddenly resounded.

Many tourists stopped with me to watch the group of sisters practicing folk dance to this proud melody. Bustling, joyful and generous – the sisters and the students wearing the youthful Youth Union shirts painted a vivid, vibrant picture of the continuation of the immortal spring right here.

Ms. Tran Thu Ngan, one of the women practicing folk dance, was moved when sharing a video recording of their practice here. They will record images at local "red addresses", both to review historical values and to broadcast on social media platforms so that people everywhere can better understand Truong Sa...