In the chilly weather of the days leading up to Tet, the Brigade’s Youth Union launched the “Spring Festival Reception Room” competition - an annual activity deeply rooted in military culture. From early morning, the common rooms on the ships - the Ho Chi Minh Rooms in the squadrons - resonated with lively laughter and chatter. Some cleaned the barracks and tidied up the interior; others carefully bent peach blossom branches and trimmed apricot blossoms; skillful hands meticulously hung photos of President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, pasted Party and national flags, cut paper flowers, and decorated the wall newspaper.
Every corner of the room was meticulously cared for, from the guest table, bookshelves, beds, and wardrobes to the five-fruit tray and red couplets. The usually solemn and formal space of the barracks now wore the warm colours of spring, while still maintaining the characteristic order and discipline of naval soldiers.
This year’s competition was implemented with clear criteria: orderliness, neatness, cleanliness; harmonious and creative decoration; and showcasing the identity of the naval soldiers of the 2nd Naval Region. Each room ensured compliance with internal regulations while also having its own unique features related to the specific tasks of each ship and squadron. Through this, the competition not only beautified the unit’s landscape but also contributed to maintaining strict discipline, building a healthy cultural environment, and creating a vibrant competitive spirit before the New Year.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Minh Duong, Deputy Head of Political Affairs and Secretary of the Youth Union of Brigade 125, said: “From the end of January, the Party Committee and Command of the Brigade issued a plan and assigned specific tasks to each agency and unit. We determined that the ‘Spring Welcome Room’ contest was not simply a decorative activity but an important part of Party and political work at the end of the year. Through the contest, we aim to educate on traditions, raise political awareness, build a sense of discipline, solidarity, and responsibility among officers, union members, and young people. The organisation process was thorough, aligned with the guidelines, economical, yet still created a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere.”
Integrating communiations content about the task of protecting maritime sovereignty and islands, and about the heroic traditions of the unit into each decoration helped officers and soldiers “enjoy the spring without forgetting their duties,” strengthening their faith, enhancing their political fortitude, and determined to successfully complete all assigned tasks.
A highlight of this year’s competition was the creative display deeply rooted in the theme of the sea and islands. Some rooms recreated the image of a ship proudly sailing the open sea amidst stormy waves; others featured a map of the homeland with the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos prominently displayed; and the image of the DK1 offshore platform standing majestically against a backdrop of vibrant spring.
The meticulously presented wall newspapers featured many articles praising the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, the homeland, and the glorious traditions of the unit. Slogans celebrating the Party, the Spring Festival, and the determination to excellently fulfill their duties were neatly hung, creating an atmosphere that was both warm and sacred.
For young soldiers celebrating Tet for the first time in the military, the competition holds special significance. Corporal Nguyen Minh Khoa, a naval soldier on ship 996, Squadron 3, shared: “Celebrating Tet away from home for the first time, I felt a little wistful. But when decorating the room for the New Year with my comrades, wrapping cakes, and practicing for the New Year’s Eve performance, I felt like the ship was my second home. Although I’m away from my family, the camaraderie among my fellow soldiers strengthens my resolve and fills me with pride in fulfilling my duties in the sea and islands.”
The Tet atmosphere at the Brigade will continue beyond the New Year’s Eve room competition with a series of fun activities and social gatherings on New Year’s Eve and the first days of the new year. On the night of the 30th, a series of activities titled “Celebrating the Party - Celebrating Spring” will be held, including a democratic flower-picking activity, creating a beneficial playground for officers and soldiers. Questions about unit traditions, maritime knowledge, regulations, laws, and Tet customs will be cleverly integrated, adding to the enjoyment while contributing to strengthening the awareness and political fortitude of the soldiers.
In addition, during the early days of Spring, the unit will organise outdoor sports and games such as tug-of-war, sack racing, stick pushing, etc., to create a lively atmosphere, strengthen camaraderie, and further motivate officers and soldiers to enter the new year with enthusiasm and high determination.
Through these activities, the pioneering and creative role of young people will continue to be promoted; the unit’s landscape will become increasingly bright, green, clean, and beautiful; and the soldiers’ morale will be enhanced. More importantly, this is an opportunity for the entire Brigade to consolidate its resolve, create a vibrant competitive spirit, and be ready to enter the new year with a proactive, united, disciplined, and highly responsible spirit.
The new spring is arriving on the ships anchored in the military port. In each spacious and cozy room, the colours of spring blend with the colours of the soldiers’ uniforms. Through these simple yet heartfelt actions, the courage, willpower, and solidarity of the naval soldiers of Brigade 125 continue to be strengthened—ready to steer the ship with steady hands and hold the weapons firmly, protecting the sovereignty of the nation’s seas and islands.
