The event is among activities being held in the capital city to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (1945 – 2025).
The exhibition displays 50 large-format photos, measuring 60x90cm each, by photographers Tran Thanh, Le Viet Khanh, and Vo Cong Danh Viet. They include 25 photos featuring borders, national landmarks, the country's people and nature; and 25 photos capturing Viet Nam's seas and islands, Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and DK1 Platform.
Notably, the organisers create visual waves by printing photos on soft silk that flow like tides—either cascading downwards or rising upwards.
The photos stretch across an area representing the deep blue sea, becoming a small carpet with paper, pens, and postcards depicting islands laid out on top.
Visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to write a message or thoughts to the island soldiers. These letters will be delivered by the Viet Nam Sea and Islands Association to the navy troops stationed at the Truong Sa archipelago. This is the most popular and eagerly anticipated activity among children.
Another surprising and fascinating highlight of the exhibition is the first-ever presence of ‘bang vuong’, or the square-fruit Malabar Almond trees. One of them travelled 270 nautical miles to Cam Ranh, then another 1,300km by train to Ha Noi. After two years, the tree has grown robustly, its four branches stretching in all directions.
Visitors are also encouraged to use digital technology by scanning QR codes to watch videos, listen to poetry, and touching stories on the country’s seas and islands.
Many visitors were moved to tears after scanning the QR code that displays a video tribute.
The video features the mother of a soldier who sacrificed his life to protect Gac Ma Island (Johnson South Reef) in 1988, speaking of her longing for her son and her extraordinary strength beneath the infinite sorrow.
There are also QR codes for supporting the planting of green trees on Truong Sa – a small action that helps breathe new life into Truong Sa.
Works on display also include a model of the DK1 rig made from cardboard by Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong, wife of Lieutenant Colonel Cao Anh Le Phuong - Commander of DK1/18 platform. With love for the country and skilled hands, Duong has created many miniature models such as the DK1 rig and Independence Palace.
The exhibition also introduces to the public photo book “Bien Cua Long Nguoi” (The Sea of the Human Heart) by engineer-photographer Tran Thanh, President of the Viet Nam Sea and Islands Association.
Thanh has visited Truong Sa 12 times with the mission to install and maintain seawater desalination machines. Each trip, he brings a camera and technical equipment, to capture memorable moments during these trips.
The “One Strip of Homeland” exhibition sows seeds of patriotism and national pride among visitors, particularly youth and students, and raises their awareness of the country’s seas and islands.
Through long days amidst vast waves and storms, he captures moments of dawn, fiery sunsets, and soldiers’ smiles.
The organisers have prepared many meaningful gifts, especially for young visitors, including notebooks printed with images of islands, and postcards with photos and poems.
The “One Strip of Homeland” exhibition sows seeds of patriotism and national pride among visitors, particularly youth and students, and raises their awareness of the country’s seas and islands.
Through the exhibits, Truong Sa is very close, right in the heart of Ha Noi. The sea and islands are not far away—they live within each person’s heart.
