Southwestern island soldiers extend Lunar New Year greetings

Through the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), officers and soldiers stationed on the frontier islands of the southwestern sea  have expressed their hopes for good fortune for their families and sent warm New Year wishes to people on the mainland during the 2025 Lunar New Year.

Captain Tran Huu Toan, Political Officer at Radar Station 610, Regiment 551 under  the Naval Region 5 Command, has spent 10 years in the southwestern sea. Currently stationed on Tho Chu Island (Tho Chau Commune, Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang province)—the farthest island from the mainland in this region—Captain Toan shared his heartfelt wishes for his family.

“This Tet, I can’t return home as I must remain on duty with my comrades. I hope my parents, wife, and children back home stay healthy and enjoy a warm and happy New Year,” Captain Toan said. He also extended New Year greetings to people nationwide: “On the occasion of Lunar New Year 2025, I wish local authorities and people in the mainland a joyful and successful new year. My comrades and I will continue to overcome difficulties and firmly safeguard the sovereignty of our homeland’s seas and islands.”

At radar stations on other frontier islands, soldiers organized various activities to celebrate Tet. Lieutenant Le Van Quy, Deputy Head of Radar Station 625 on Hon Doc Island (Tien Hai Commune, Ha Tien City, Kien Giang province), said that thanks to the care and support of the Party, State, and mainland citizens, many delegations paid pre-Tet visits to the station to offer greetings and encouragement.

Lieutenant Quy added that the unit prepared for Tet with meticulous planning, including wrapping Banh Chung cakes, crafting couplets, and decorating with apricot blossoms. During the holiday, in addition to maintaining combat readiness, they exchanged New Year greetings with other units and held sports and cultural activities.

“In recent years, Tet celebrations for island soldiers have become more fulfilling. On behalf of the soldiers on Hon Doc Island, I wish all citizens in the country and overseas Vietnamese a warm and happy New Year. Rest assured, we will fulfill every mission entrusted to us by the Party and State, ensuring the sovereignty of our sacred seas and islands,” Lieutenant Quy emphasized.

On Hon Chuoi Island, Lieutenant Colonel Doan Cong Nghiep, Chief of Hon Chuoi Border Guard Station under the Ca Mau Border Guard, shared that their unit is committed to both maintaining combat readiness and ensuring a festive Tet for soldiers.

“Before Tet, we launched a broad array of activities like wrapping Chung cakes (square glutinous rice cake)  and gifting them to disadvantaged island residents. This year, we partnered with local youth unions to create a vibrant Tet atmosphere. On behalf of the Border Post Command, I wish all island residents and people on the mainland health, happiness, and success in the New Year,”  Nghiep stated.

While Tet is traditionally a time for family reunions, soldiers stationed on the southwestern islands understand that their duty to protect the nation’s sovereignty comes first. From these distant islands, they have sent their love and best wishes to their families and to the people on the mainland, vowing to fulfill their responsibilities to the homeland."