A field of Sea morning glory on Da Tay A island. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Thanks to the efforts of the army and people, nearly half a million trees have been planted on the archipelago.

Every tree and every green bud here is the fruits of hard work, perseverance and love for the homeland's sea and islands. Each tree must be carefully selected to make sure it is strong enough to withstand strong sunlight and wind.

Cao Van Giap, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Song Tu Tay Commune, Truong Sa Island District, said: “Trees have not brought economic value yet. The island has tried to grow many types of fruit trees such as mango, custard apple, and even durian. We will try longan and lychee to see if the soil is suitable, we will expand it.”

Among many Spratly islands, Sinh Ton island is the greenest with vegetables and plants taken from the mainland having grown well. Luong Duc Hieu, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Sinh Ton commune, said the island is self-sufficient in green vegetables and no longer depends on the mainland.

He said: “Water for watering vegetables is mainly collected from rainwater. This season, the well water is a bit brackish, so it’s used for washing clothes and watering vegetables. We have grown vegetables such as papaya, squash, gourd, and luffa, which are suitable for Sinh Ton Island soil.”

To green Truong Sa archipelago, hundreds of tons of fertilizers, and seedlings have been transported from the mainland. Receiving good care, trees’ survival rate has reached 98%. The canopy of the banyan, phong ba, and mu u trees is growing taller and taller, covering the islands, and creating a sustainable green living environment.

A program of planting one million trees in Truong Sa was launched recently. Colonel Nguyen Duy Thieu, Deputy Head of Navy Command’s Technical Logistics, said: “The Truong Sa greening program has been in place for three years now. Every year, agencies, businesses and organizations nationwide help buy materials, fertilizers, soil, and trees to make the archipelago greener.”

The greenness in the middle of the ocean also symbolize the army and people’s aspiration to build a life against the odds on the island territory of Vietnam.