(VOVworld) – As the Vietnam People’s Army forces were marching to liberate southern Vietnam and reunify the country in April, 1975, several troops were sent to Truong Sa islands to take control over there. 40 years after liberation, Truong Sa has become an island district with strong economic development and national defense. VOV’s Thai Binh reports…
On April 29th, 1975, one day prior to southern liberation and national reunification, the National Liberation Front for Southern Vietnam’s flags were flown across islands in Truong Sa. Nguyen Xuan Thuy, a veteran naval soldier among troops liberating the islands, told VOV: "Although we focused our best efforts on liberating Saigon at that time, the Party, the central military committee of the Vietnam People's Army, and General Vo Nguyen Giap commanded us to liberate Truong Sa as soon as possible because this is an inseparable part of national territory."
Life in Truong Sa today. Photo: baokhanhhoa.com.vn
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Ninh Khac Van, a former soldier of regiment 38, division 2, Military Zone 4 recalled the numerous hardships he and his comrades faced during their first days on Truong Sa. Visiting Truong Sa today, he was surprised at so many changes on the islands: "During our first 3 months on the island, we had almost no aids from and contacts with the mainland. We had no food and water. The islands now have almost everything. There are pagodas, schools, and offices."
Schools, hospitals, fishery supporting centers, and many other basic infrastructures have been built on almost every island of Truong Sa. The local people have also erected monuments in commemoration of General Tran Hung Dao, President Ho Chi Minh, and fallen soldiers on the islands. Nguyen Viet Thuan is Chairman of Truong Sa island district’s People’s Committee: "People from the mainland and overseas Vietnamese have contributed their money and effort to support Truong Sa’s socioeconomic development over the past 40 years. Local living conditions have improved remarkably. All islands have installed their own clean energy systems. Roads were paved together with new houses, schools, clinics, and dry-locks."
Le Thanh Quang is chairman of Khanh Hoa provincial People’s Council: "Together with strengthening the islands’ political systems, we are conducting numerous economic activities on Truong Sa including offshore fishing and other fishing supporting services, which are expected to help islanders become better-off."