The delegation comprises more than 40 OVs from 17 countries around the world. Photo: baoquocte.vn

A delegation of more than 40 overseas Vietnamese (OV) from 17 countries around the world have visited people and soldiers in Truong Sa island district, the south central province of Khanh Hoa, and DK1 platform, reported VNA.

The visit, which was delayed for two years due to Covid-19, is the 10th of its kind held by the State Committee for OV Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Naval High Command.

According to Ambassador Ngo Huong Nam, vice chairman of the State Committee for OV Affairs, the visit aims to affirm Vietnam’s sovereignty and sovereign rights over the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and southern continental shelf.

This is also a chance for the OVs to meet, exchange and foster connections with their fellow Vietnamese at home, contributing to strengthening great solidarity bloc, he said.

The organisation of the visit in the context of Covid-19 impacts shows the sentiments and responsibilities of the Party and State towards the Vietnamese community abroad, he added.

OVs support soldiers and islanders in Truong Sa island district and DK1 Platform, helping to safeguard Vietnam's sovereignty over seas and islands.

Responding to the call of the State Committee over the past 10 years, OVs have made their material and spiritual contributions to Truong Sa. During the visit, the OVs presented gifts and necessities to soldiers and people in the island district.

The visit, spanning from May 17-25, the OVs engaged in many activities, including exploring the daily life of locals in the island district, attending a flag hoisting ceremony, and offering incense to heroic martyrs and President Ho Chi Minh.

Within the framework of the program, on the evening of May 16, at Truong Sa Hotel (Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa province), the State Committee held a ceremony to receive support from the Vietnamese community as a gift to the island district and DK1 platform, according to TGVN.

By the time of the reception ceremony, the amount of money contributed to buy gifts reached VND 215 million (USD 9.200). Particularly for the sovereign boat, the amount of support has reached VND 2 billion (USD 86.200).

Nguyen Trong Duc, an overseas Vietnamese in the US shared that Truong Sa feels really far away, with them who never come here before. However, when you come to Truong Sa, you will find it very close, because "Truong Sa is right in the middle of heart of each of us".

"Before the great change of Truong Sa in this comeback, I was very touched by the beauty of the sea and islands of Vietnam,” he said.

Duc said that they are looking forward to participating in visits to Truong Sa island district and DK1 platform in the future.

The delegation comprises more than 40 OVs from 17 countries around the world. Photo: VNA

Tran Anh Tuan, chairman of the Association of Vietnamese in Poland shared his thoughts on the journey back to the homeland: "In the past, we only heard about Truong Sa through books, newspapers and the internet. Through this trip, we can directly witness the intense vitality of Truong Sa, the sun, the wind, the weather and climate here. Arriving in Truong Sa, we were surprised by the spacious facilities and materials at the island sites, far different from our imaginations."

They brought the feelings of the Vietnamese people in Poland to the officers, soldiers and people in Truong Sa and the DK1 platform, he said, stressing his admiration of the sacrifice by soldiers and islanders in affirming and protecting national sovereignty over seas and islands.

Truong Sa island, offshore of Khanh Hoa province is home to ocean locks that have been providing supplies and shelter for fishermen for decades, but they also represent Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands and territorial waters.

The ocean locks have long been a source of supplies, repairs, and shelter for fishermen like Hien to take refuge at sea when storms rear up on the horizon.

The Truong Sa island’s locks started up in January 2019 and have received hundreds of fishing vessels to use repair services, refuel, and access essential supplies.

Currently, Truong Sa island is home to four ocean locks on Song Tu Tay (Southwest Cay), Da Tay (West Reef), Truong Sa (Spratly), Sinh Ton (Sin Cowe) islands.

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