The event took place from April 24 to 30, drawing the participation of nearly 70 OVs from 22 countries worldwide. On the occasion, they visited Sinh Ton Dong (Grierson Reef), Len Dao (Lansdowne Reef), Da Dong, Da Tay islands, Truong Sa townlet, and DK1/14 platform.
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Rear Admiral Pham Van Luyen, Deputy Head of the Department of Political Affairs of the Naval Service, visits islands on the Truong Sa archipelago. |
During the voyage, the OVs expressed their honor and pride in the bravery of troops and islanders to fulfill all assigned missions. They also joined art exchanges with islanders. The delegation expressed their joy as the islands and the platform are becoming greener with local people’s life improving, thanks to the investment of the Party and the State, and the support of people on the mainland, including the OVs.
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A memorial ceremony is held to pay tribute to war martyrs. |
Especially, delegates participated in a memorial ceremony to pay tribute to war martyrs who sacrificed their life to protect the national sovereignty over sea and islands. They were also present at a ceremony in celebration of the 49th anniversary of the liberation of the Truong Sa archipelago, and offered incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and fallen soldiers on the islands.
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OVs join a ceremony in celebration of the 49th anniversary of the liberation of the Truong Sa archipelago. |
Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnamese Association, Vice President of the Vietnamese Women’s Association in Poland, and member of the Liaison Committee for the Vietnamese people in Europe for Vietnam’s sea and islands Cao Hong Vinh held that this was her second time to visit the Truong Sa archipelago and a DK1 platform. She was so happy to see the development in all fields in the areas, proving the high determination of the Party, State, people, and troops in safeguarding the national sovereignty over sea and islands.
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The delegation presents gifts to troops on the islands and DK1 platforms. |
She noted that after her visit to Truong Sa in 2012, so far, many practical activities have been carried out, such as establishing the Hoang Sa (Paracel) - Truong Sa Club, the “Love for Vietnam’s sea and islands” club, the Fund for Truong Sa, organizing scientific seminars and exhibitions on Vietnam’s sea and island, so as to spread love for national sea and islands to OVs worldwide and international friends.
On the occasion, delegates continued to discuss the establishment of the Liaison Committee for the Vietnamese people in Asia-Pacific for Vietnam’s sea and islands.
Prior to the journey, in response to the call of the State Committee for OVs Affairs, the OVs worldwide donated nearly VND 1.6 billion to the Truong Sa islands and DK1/14 platform.
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Delegates in a joint photo |
Nguyen Manh Dong, Vice Chairman of the State Committee for OVs Affairs, noted that over the past time, the organization of visits to the Truong Sa archipelago and DK1 platforms for OVs contributed to spreading patriotism among them, giving them a chance to witness the achievements of the Party and State in protecting Vietnam’s sea and islands, thereby affirming national sovereignty over the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos.
This was also an occasion for the OVs to exchange and meet with troops and people in the country, contributing to enhancing the national great unity bloc, and joining hands in the cause of national construction, protection, and development.
Translated by Minh Anh