A calendar for 2019 named ‘Truong Sa in My Heart’ was recently launched at HCM City’s Book Street.

A man looks at the calendar ’Truong Sa in My Heart’ on HCM City’s Book Street. VNA/VNS Photo Gia Thuan

The calendar is the brainchild of Ho Chi Minh City’s General Publishers and Xuan Phuong Nam Calendar Company, aiming to highlight the landscapes and people of Vietnam’s islands and sea.

The calendar contains 53 pages decorated with images of islands, the life of soldiers and residents in Truong Sa (Paracel Archipelago).

The photos were taken by famed photographer Nguyen A and soldiers working on the islands.

The calendar contains 53 pages decorated with images of islands.

“I visited nine natural islands and two platforms in the archipelago last year,” said Nguyen Ha Quoc Anh, director of Xuan Phuong Nam Calendar Company.

“I understood the harsh life and bravery of soldiers and residents on the islands. I thought I should do something meaningful for them.”

He then discussed with Dinh Thi Thanh Thuy, director of Ho Chi Minh City’s General Publishers, to publish the calendar.

Thuy hoped the publication would link people inland with those living on islands, instilling national pride and encouraging the soldiers guarding the country’s sovereignty.

As many as 5,000 sets have been published and are available at bookstores nationwide./.

VNF/VNS