Perhaps with structures on the mainland, one rarely pays much attention to individual bricks. But in Truong Sa, each brick symbolises the determination to protect the country, affirming sacred sovereignty. For this reason, every red brick bears the national emblem of Viet Nam.
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| The bricks in Truong Sa bear the national emblem and have very special designs and materials. |
Designed specifically for structures in Truong Sa, these bricks combine construction technique with emotion and national pride. Because of this, bricks sent to Truong Sa possess a unique beauty. It seems nothing could be more humble in appearance yet nothing more steadfast in form.
Within each brick lies technical calculation, but above all, the unwavering heart of the mainland towards Truong Sa: passionate and never yielding.
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| During construction, the national emblem on the bricks is always preserved. |
Bricks and many other materials are transported from the mainland, weathering waves and storms to reach distant islands. The Buddhist temples, such as Song Tu Tay Temple, Linh Son Temple, Sinh Ton Temple, Truong Sa Temple, Da Tay Temple... all stand majestic yet welcoming with their red brick walls.
Standing in the blazing sun of Truong Sa, touching the red brick wall, many cannot help but think of the story of Uncle Ho warming himself in a small attic with a single red brick during a freezing winter in a foreign land. That brick warmed an immense dream for him to find the path to national salvation and independence. The brick in the bone-chilling cold of a foreign land contained the warmth of faith, of the flame of patriotism that never extinguishes.
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| The sacred national emblem is imprinted on the red brick walls. |
Now, amidst the windy and sunny Truong Sa, countless bricks imprinted with the national emblem stand silently, steadfastly in each temple wall, each civilian and defence structure, not only warming faith but also withstanding storms, supporting fond memories of the mainland and erecting the motherland’s walls amidst the vast sea.
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| A visitor holds a brick for construction of structures in Truong Sa. |
At the forefront of the waves, the image of those red bricks is incredibly familiar and intimate. Visitors from the mainland, after returning to their ships, always stand for a long while on deck, looking back at the Buddhist temple’s silhouette glistening in the early sunlight, the red brick wall blazing amidst the deep blue sky and sea.
People’s hearts hold an unshakeable belief: Even as years pass, even as the dust of time shrouds structures in ancient moss, the bricks bearing the national emblem will forever remain an enduring symbol of quiet yet profound patriotism.
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| A ceramic mural on Truong Sa Island. |
Along with bricks, the artistic ceramic works on Truong Sa Island are also vibrant and emotionally stirring. The Vietnamese national flag made of ceramic, with its enormous dimensions of 12m x 20m, painstakingly assembled from thousands of pieces of red glazed ceramic, stands majestically in the middle of Truong Sa Island. This is both an art work and a declaration of Viet Nam’s sovereignty at the forefront of wind and waves.
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| The ceramic murals highlight the military and civilian bond. |
On Truong Sa Island, there are also four large ceramic murals bearing profound cultural impressions, reflecting Viet Nam’s history, people and aspiration for peace. Each ceramic piece with traditional glazing is skilfully arranged to form images of Uncle Ho, navy soldiers, fishermen and the children on the distant islands.
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| A ceramic mural of Uncle Ho with children. |
This ceramic art project was initiated and implemented by artist Nguyen Thu Thuy, who is also the creator of the ceramic mosaic mural commemorating 1000 years of Thang Long - Hanoi. The project on the distant island affirms the continuation of a deeply Vietnamese cultural initiative, marking the love and profound pride that has reached the distant islands.
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| Historical landmarks of national sea and island sovereignty are deeply imprinted on the ceramic background. |
Amidst the beating sun and salty winds, ceramics challenge hardship, gleaming like flowers and jewels in the light of dawn and dusk. The temple abbots, while sweeping each morning, silently run their hands gently over the red brick walls. One abbot once confided to a visitor: “These brick walls are like the flesh of the mainland. When I place my hand on them, I feel peace of mind, and sense that homeland is not so far away...”
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| The map of Viet Nam rendered in ceramic materials. |
The island soldiers, during breaks after long guard shifts, often sit leaning against the brick walls bearing the national emblem, taking small notebooks from their pockets to write a few diary lines. For them, this is also spiritual support. A soldier on Truong Sa Island shared: “Whenever I miss home, I go and sit near the brick wall, sometimes gazing at the ceramic murals, telling myself I’m leaning against the motherland. Here is also home...”
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| A ceramic mural of Navy soldiers and seagulls. |
The young citizens born and raised amidst the surrounding waves play around the colourful ceramic murals morning and evening. Some children study beside the brilliant red ceramic flag, pointing at the mural and chattering: “This is our beloved Uncle Ho! This is our sea and islands!” For them, each brick and ceramic piece is the first classroom teaching about love for the country through the most familiar images.
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| For the military and civilians on Truong Sa Island, these are works filled with faith and hope. |
Bricks and ceramics fired from the motherland’s earth. In their steadfastness and silence, they contain hearts beating in unison, making each step more stable, giving every thought a place to be entrusted and sheltered. Touching the bricks and ceramics in Truong Sa is like touching history again, touching patriotism that has been fired by sacred flames and eternal faith through the ages.
