Joining the delegation were Nguyen Trung Kien, Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs; Nguyen Hoang Hai, Deputy Head of the National Boundary Commission; along with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and the General Department of Logistics and Technical Services under the Ministry of National Defence.
Nearly 200 other delegates also joined the mission, including numerous overseas Vietnamese from countries such as Germany, Poland, the UK, Japan, Singapore and Thailand, as well as representatives of the Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited, Viettel Asset Management Company, the Viet Nam Dance Academy and journalists from various press agencies.
During the seven-day journey, members of Delegation No.10 visited and worked at seven islands and outposts in the archipelago, including Song Tu Tay, Son Ca, Nam Yet, Da Lon C, Sinh Ton, Da Tay A and Truong Sa, as well as the DK1/19 platform (Que Duong). At each location, the delegation received briefings from unit commanders on mission performance, training, combat readiness and daily living conditions of officers and soldiers.
At the islands and the DK1/19 platform, representatives of the delegation delivered remarks encouraging and acknowledging the efforts of military personnel and civilians in overcoming harsh weather conditions to fulfil their mission of safeguarding national maritime sovereignty.
On behalf of the Naval High Command Party Committee, Rear Admiral Ho Thanh Hoan presented meaningful gifts from the Navy to officers, soldiers and people on Sinh Ton Island. Representatives of ministries, sectors, enterprises and overseas Vietnamese communities also donated practical items such as living equipment, essential supplies and funding for construction projects on the islands, including the “Greening Truong Sa” programme. These contributions aim to bring Truong Sa Archipelago closer to the mainland and provide comfort and reassurance for those stationed there as they safeguard the nation’s territory and waters.
As part of the visit, Delegation No. 10 held a memorial ceremony to honour fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the nation’s maritime sovereignty. Delegates were deeply moved as they released wreaths, paper cranes and incense into the sea, expressing profound gratitude to those who laid down their lives in the depths of the ocean.
A range of cultural and artistic exchange activities took place throughout the journey. Performers from the Viet Nam Dance Academy, together with many artists, gave interesting performances along with the voices of naval soldiers to create a joyful atmosphere and narrow the distance between mainland and remote islands.
Throughout the trip, delegates actively participated in cultural activities such as composing poetry, photography, artistic exchanges, chess competitions and quizzes on maritime sovereignty, fostering stronger bonds between delegates and soldiers and reinforcing military-civilian solidarity.
Speaking at the closing session, Rear Admiral Ho Thanh Hoan emphasised that this visit once again affirmed the close solidarity and cohesion among ministries, agencies and sectors, especially the deep affection of overseas Vietnamese towards the sacred sovereignty of the nation’s seas and islands. These sentiments and shared support are a great source of encouragement, helping naval officers and soldiers remain steadfast in safeguarding peace and stability across the country’s maritime areas, he added.
At the conclusion of the trip, the Naval High Command awarded the “For the Cause of Protecting National Maritime Sovereignty” insignia and the “Truong Sa Soldier” badge to the delegation’s members in recognition of their contributions and sentiments towards the officers, soldiers and people in the Truong Sa Archipelago and at the DK1/19 platform.
