A persistent journey
Planting a tree in Truong Sa is not a simple task. Sandy soil, coral rubble, intense sunlight, strong winds, and salty sea air constantly test both trees and those who care for them. Every tree, along with each vegetable bed and flower pot at radar stations, therefore reflects the perseverance and dedication of officers and soldiers.
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Officers and soldiers of Radar Station 21 prune trees and clean the barracks. |
Senior Colonel Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Commanding officer of Radar Regiment 292, said the regiment’s Party Committee and commanding officers considered participation in the “Greening Truong Sa” program as a regular and long-term mission because of its importance to improving the island environment. The task is put into leadership resolutions and annual work plans, with specific targets assigned to each radar station. Responsibilities for planting and protecting trees are also allocated to collectives and individuals and linked with efforts to improve barracks.
On each island, radar troops work alongside other forces, local authorities, and residents, sharing tasks such as improving soil quality, digging planting holes, transporting saplings, and watering and protecting young trees. Regular activities including the “Tree-planting festival,” “Volunteer Saturday” and “Green Sunday” have helped strengthen coordination among forces while improving the islands’ landscape.
Pham Thanh Liem, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Truong Sa Special Zone in Khanh Hoa province, said the program’s greatest value lies not only in the number of trees planted, but also in the determination and shared commitment of all participating forces. He noted that officers and soldiers of Radar Regiment 292 have consistently taken the initiative in coordinating with other units and local residents. Their joint efforts are helping make Truong Sa greener and more beautiful, strengthen military-civilian solidarity, and create a firm foundation for the successful fulfillment of assigned missions.
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Greenery covers Song Tu Tay (Southwest Cay) Island in Truong Sa Special Zone. |
Sustaining greenery amidst sun and wind
Looking back on the early days of the program in 2021, Major Doan Van Hien, former Commanding officer of Radar Station 21, recalled that troops initially believed a sapling would survive simply by digging a hole, adding fertile soil, planting it, and watering it. In practice, however, some trees grew slowly, developed scorched leaves, and gradually withered despite careful tending.
Rather than giving up, personnel at Radar Station 21 began closely monitoring each planting site to identify causes. Through trial planting and learning from experience, they found that proper preparation of planting holes and effective protection of young trees were key factors. From then on, each hole was dug 60 by 60 centimeters through sand and coral rubble, then filled with loam and organic fertilizer to help retain moisture. Newly-planted trees were staked and covered with protective netting to reduce the effects of salty winds and intense sunlight. After every storm, troops inspected the trees, replanted those that had been uprooted, added soil where needed and replaced damaged saplings.
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Radar troops and other forces plant trees on the islands. |
Major Nguyen Van Nghia, Political Officer of Radar Station 11, said tree-care methods vary with seasons. During the Northeast monsoon, salt accumulates heavily on the leaves, requiring troops to strengthen protective measures, rinse foliage, and inspect supporting stakes. Once trees are firmly rooted, the unit enlarges the planting holes, adds nutrients, prunes branches, shapes the canopies, and reinforces the trunks ahead of the storm season.
Thanks to these sustained efforts, since 2021, radar stations under Radar Regiment 292 have planted more than 1,300 new trees, regularly cared for over 200 shade and windbreak trees, established two new vegetable gardens and 12 flower beds, and greened more than 500 square meters of station grounds. Many areas once covered only in white sand are now shaded by different trees.
Today, Truong Sa is becoming greener with each passing day. Along that journey, radar troops stationed on the islands continue to make quiet contribution, tending each new shoot amid sea winds. Their persistent efforts are steadily expanding the islands’ green cover, helping build a more resilient Truong Sa special zone and contributing, together with troops and residents, to firmly safeguarding the Fatherland’s sovereignty over sea and islands.
Translated by Minh Anh