 Reporter Thy Nhung from Ho Chi Minh City Law newspaper (Photo: VOV5/Vinh Phong) |
Visiting Truong Sa is a rare and cherished opportunity in a journalist’s career. Reporter Thy Nhung from Ho Chi Minh City Law newspaper, said a day on Truong Sa seem to be longer, because she got up very early to take photos, take notes, and conduct interviews.
“What first struck me about Truong Sa was the blazing sun, the wind, and the salty scent of the sea. But what stays with me most is the quiet strength and resilience that radiates from the officials, soldiers, and the islanders,” Nhung said.
“Meeting the young soldiers, I anticipated signs of homesickness, yet their eyes reflected only pride and steadfast resolve. They talked about their daily routines, night watches on the sea, and their families back on the mainland with optimistic smiles,” she added.
 VOVWORLD journalist Lan Phuong interviews a Truong Sa naval officer. (Photo: Dinh Thang) |
VOVWORLD journalist Lan Phuong, who has long covered Truong Sa and Vietnam’s seas and islands, said Working in Truong Sa and at DK1 platforms is vastly different from working on land.
The journey spans thousands of nautical miles and involves battling strong waves and storms, but “it’s the opportunity for me to sharpen my skills and build resilience,” Phuong said. “I’ve been to Truong Sa seven times, and each trip is filled with emotion, the love for the sea, and admiration for the resolve of our naval soldiers. Despite challenging conditions, they still consistently protect our skies and waters with unwavering dedication."
The weather in Truong Sa, especially at the end of the year, is extremely harsh with rough seas, and heavy rains. However, those challenges cannot deter journalists from fulfilling their mission.
 Nguyen The Lam, Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Quang Ninh Provincial Media Center in an interview with a naval soldier stationed on Truong Sa island (Photo: VOV5/Vinh Phong) |
“My trip to Truong Sa faced harsh weather—turbulent seas, strong winds, and downpours. But we understood that such conditions are part of the daily life for those stationed on the islands. For journalists, being able to set foot in Truong Sa was both a profound and sacred experience. So we did our utmost to capture and share the vivid, authentic stories of those living and serving there—bringing powerful images to audiences at home and around the world,” said journalist Nguyen The Lam is Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Quang Ninh Provincial Media Center.
Lieutenant Colonel and journalist Nguyen Khanh Ngoc from the Military Broadcasting and Television Center, who has been to Truong Sa four times, said that documenting such sacred moments is an indescribable honor.
 Lieutenant Colonel and journalist Nguyen Khanh Ngoc (second from left) from the Military Broadcasting and Television Cente (Photo: VOV5/Vinh Phong) |
"The warmth and sincerity of Truong Sa soldiers and islanders left a lasting impression on us. Each trip wasn’t just a business trip but a patriotic journey filled with pride and responsibility. Through every article and photo, we did our best to tell the stories of Truong Sa, of the courageous island soldiers, and of the Vietnamese people's deep love for their sea and islands,” Ngoc said.
Each trip to Truong Sa lasts only one or two weeks, making every moment precious for journalists. They work tirelessly to help connect the islands with the mainland.