HQ-561 is both a transport vessel and a medical base at sea. Measuring nearly 71 meters long and 13 meters wide and weighing over 2,000 tons, the ship is equipped with 20 patient beds, intensive care and testing rooms, ultrasound and X-ray units, and even a decompression chamber for diving emergencies.
The vessel’s VISAT system, connected via the VINASAT satellite, allows doctors on board to hold real-time consultations with Military Hospital 175 and specialists onshore, ensuring high-quality medical care even at sea.
 The crew of hospital ship HQ-561 (Photo courtesy of ship 561) |
“HQ-561 undertakes many missions, including transporting delegations. In recent years, the vessel has provided medical treatment for both soldiers and civilians in Truong Sa and on offshore platforms. This is one of our core responsibilities,” said Lieutenant Colonel Doan Van Duan is Deputy Political Commissar of Brigade 955.
Each year, the vessel makes 5 to 10 voyages, gives emergency aid to 500 fishermen, and provides 2,000 medical check-ups for soldiers and residents. Though far from the mainland, people are cared for professionally. To the crew, the soldiers and fishermen are like family. The hardship of life at sea motivates them to carry on.
 Hospital ship HQ-561 (Photo: Tran Thanh) |
The ship also carries Party and State delegations to Truong Sa.
“HQ-561 has consistently fulfilled its assigned missions, transporting delegations, providing medical services, rotating personnel, and participating in external relations missions at sea. Last year, the ship was commended for its excellent performance by the Navy Command and Naval Region 4,” Captain Nguyen Trung Thanh, the ship’s Political Commissar, told VOV proudly.
Guided by the principles of care, respect, and dedication, every voyage places safety first. After her first trip to the islands, Dr. Nguyen Tan Trang said, “I felt a deep and powerful emotion. Through my conversations with the soldiers, I could clearly feel their strong determination to carry out their duties. I believe our visit brought encouragement and strength to those who are standing guard over our seas and islands.”
 A crew member of HQ-561 provides medical checkups for a Truong Sa soldier. (Photo courtesy of ship 561) |
Among the ship’s veteran crew members are Major Nguyen Van Tham, the chief engineer; Major Nguyen Dau Truong, the signal officer; and Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Ngoc, the medical officer.
Bui Anh Tuan, 26, a naval officer who specializes in marine engineering, is continuing his family’s naval tradition. Tuan was taught the value of duty and dedication by his parents, both of whom served in the navy. His father, Bui Vinh Thuy, spent more than 30 years aboard Ship 571 and later aboard submarine support vessels.
After graduating from the Naval Academy in Nha Trang, Tuan was assigned to Brigade 955, and since December last year, he has served aboard Ship 561, working in Section 5, the “heart” of the ship.
“I’m very proud and hope to dedicate many more years to the Navy. My father spent over 30 years in uniform, and I want to follow in his footsteps and serve with the same commitment and heart,” said Tuan.
 (Photo: Tran Thanh) |
 (Photo: Tran Thanh) |
Although spending months at sea in constantly changing work conditions is challenging, overcoming storms alongside his crewmates has taught Tuan the importance of unity. Young officers like him are a bridge between the Navy’s honored past and its hopeful future.
Hospital ship HQ-561 carries not only medicines but also compassion and resolve, supporting fishermen and motivating soldiers in their mission to safeguard national sovereignty.