VietNamNet Bridge – Being busy with making banh chung (Vietnamese traditional rice cakes), watering vegetables, and decorating houses with peaches and kumquat trees but naval soldiers on the islands of Tran and Tra Ban in Quang Ninh province do not forget their mission of guarding the nation’s waters.

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About 45-100 km from the mainland, the Tran Island (A) and Tra Ban Island (B) have strategic locations, with two radar stations guarding the country's northern waters.


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Ban Sen on Tra Ban Island is one of the five communes of Van Hai Island of the district of Van Don, Quang Ninh. Along with the other islands such as Cao Lo, Quan Lan, Ngoc Vung and Canh Tuoc, Tra Ban forms a front shield off Bai Tu Long Bay.


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Based on the peak of two mountains on the islands of Tran and Tra Ban, the mission of the radar stations 480 and 485 are observing, monitoring and timely reporting of the infringement of strange ships and planes into Vietnam's waters and low-range airspaces.

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Several days before Tet holiday, the Navy Command Region 1’s officials visited and presented gifts to naval soldiers on duty on the islands of Tra Ban and Tran. The New Year gifts from the mainland were handed to soldiers of the two radar stations, after being transported through 4 km of mountain road on Tran Island and 7 km of forest road on Tra Ban Island.


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Only 30% of the officers and soldiers are allowed to return home to celebrate the Tet with their families. The remaining soldiers make banh chung and prepare Tet on the island.

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Soldier Bui Van Cong, from Nam Dinh province, said he has just been on the Tra Ban Island for several months. He never made banh chung at home but now he can do this work very well after being taught by other soldiers.

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Soldiers plant vegetable and breed chickens on the island.

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The New Year feast of naval soldiers.


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"Welcome Tet without neglecting duties" is the slogan of soldiers on remote islands.


VNE