The Rhythm of Life on Song Tu Tay Island
The soldiers and residents on song Tu Tay Island in Truong Sa Island District, Khanh Hoa Province are eagerly joining the people across the country in welcoming the spring season with newfound hope and optimism.
Despite the rough seas, with waves crashing white foam over the bow, nothing can hinder Ship 571 (the Naval Region 4 Command) from visiting Song Tu Tay Island. Soldiers on the island worked together to carry goods to the island. Warm greetings, firm handshakes, and joyful gazes, accompanied by resounding laughter, filled the air as mainland guests were warmly welcomed to the island.
The joy of welcoming the spring at the "frontline of waves and wind" was heightened as, on this occasion, gifts from the mainland arrived with Ship 571 to visit and extend Tet wishes, contributing to a warmer and more complete Tet celebration for officers, soldiers, and residents on the distant island.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Tho, Deputy Commander of Brigade 146, Naval Region 4 the head of the working delegation, stated that every Tet and the head of the working delegation, stated that every Tet and spring season, the Party, State, and people always pay attention to Truong Sa, ensuring adequate preparations in terms of material and spiritual support to organize trips to visit, encourage officers, soldiers, and islanders.
During these days, the preparations for Tet celebrations by the soldiers and islanders are bustling. Residents are busy repairing, cleaning, and decorating their homes, meticulously tending to their front yards to welcome Tet. Officers and soldiers on the island help each other clean and decorate with flowers along the roads and at public destinations such as Song Tu Tay Pagoda, the statue of Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, the People's Committee Headquarters, the Command Headquarters, and the guest house.
According to tradition, at the beginning of the Lunar New Year, a flag-raising ceremony and military parade take place at the sovereignty landmark, with the participation of all the soldiers and islanders. Everyone listens to the Tet greetings letter from the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Region and then proceed together to visit Song Tu Tay Pagoda at the beginning of the New Year.
Many sports activities and traditional games take place, such as football, volleyball, stick pushing, sack jumping, attracting many participants and enthusiastic supporters. Song Tu Tay Island Commune often organizes a competition to wrap chung cake (traditional square sticky rice cakes) among units on the island.
Besides the familiar ingredients for making chung cake like glutinous rice, green beans, pork, dong leaves, and banana leaves, the competition also uses seaweed to wrap the chung cake.
In the evenings, there are usually artistic performances. The Song Tu Tay Island cultural performance team, along with students from Song Tu Tay Primary School, has lively and quality performances, contributing to a joyful and vibrant atmosphere during the springtime festivities.
Story: Son Nghia Photos: Son Nghia/VNP, Ninh Co
Translated By Nguyen Tuoi