Vietnam's Coast Guard Celebrates Tet on the High Seas

Major General Le Quang Dao (center), commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard inspects the combat readiness of the ship CSB 4032, before leaving the wharf to go on a mission. Photo: Nguyen Minh

Celebrating Tet at sea

One day before leaving the wharf, the Coast Guard of two ships, CSB 4032 and 4038, completed all preparations for a voyage of more than a month at sea on duty. Each ship is prepared with food to welcome the new spring in the sea of ​​the homeland.

Phan Tien Dat is one of 5 soldiers of the ship CSB 4032, going on duty and celebrating Tet at sea for the first time. “I volunteered to join the army in February 2021. Going on duty for the first time during Tet made me very nervous. I feel excited when I can join everyone on the ship to pack banh chung and decorate the room to welcome spring," Dat said.

2022 is the third Tet at sea for Second Lieutenant Luong Huu Tuyen, an electrician (ship CSB 4032). Being away from home, Tuyen has few opportunities to help his wife with the housework and take care of two young children.

“Having accepted the mission, we are determined to complete it. We try to overcome all difficulties, and encourage each other to complete the task. I and my teammates on the ship encourage our families to stay healthy, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic is still complicated," Tuyen said.

Photo: Dan Tri

The leader of the Coast Guard Region 2 Command said that during the Lunar New Year, the unit maintains the ships on duty, ready to fight with the highest force, and to ensure the completion of any task given to them.

The region has directed ships to be well-prepared to ensure that officers and soldiers performing their duties at sea still have the atmosphere of the traditional Tet in the permitted conditions. On New Year's Eve, through the live television system, heads and commanders at all levels will check the combat readiness of the ships, encourage officers and soldiers and wish them a Happy New Year.

Determined Coast Guards

At the wharf in Coast Guard Region 4, in Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), the ship CSB 3007 is busy preparing to go on Tet duty at sea.

Captain Vo The Trung, political officer of the ship CSB 3007, said that most of the people on the ship were very young. As many people celebrate the first New Year at sea, they miss their family and hometown.

Therefore, the ship's command promptly encourages everyone to put aside their own work for the common purpose. They coordinate with agencies to ensure enough food, especially typical dishes of the traditional Tet holiday. Thanks to that, it helps soldiers to have a joyful and warm Tet, forget about homesickness, and rest assured on duty.

“As a unit ready to fight, the Coast Guard soldiers and the ship CSB 3007, always carry with them pride and honor when holding the sacred responsibility, maintaining peace, security, and practice law enforcement at sea. This is also a solid support for fishermen to reach out to sea," Captain Trung said.

Celebrating Tet at sea for the first time, Sergeant Nguyen Hoang Tuan (CSB 3007) said this would be a good memory in his military life. “Being considered as the youngest member of CSB 3007, I feel very happy. We are a group of solidarity, responsibility and always care for each other,” Tuan said.

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