VietNamNet Bridge – Cows leisurely chew grass under the shade of phong ba trees. A flock of puppies compete for cooking. A soldier takes care of a vegetable garden… all make a peaceful painting of the life on the Truong Sa (Spratly) island district, which is two days on boat from the central province of Khanh Hoa.

The island district of Truong Sa is covered by the green color of trees. The island district has three communes, with a steadily increasing population. The life on the island district is convenient like on the mainland.

Truong Sa island district is located in the East and Southeast of the East Sea, at from 6050’00” to 12000’00” in the north latitude and 111030’00” to 117020’00” in the east longitude, 248 sea miles from Cam Ranh gulf, Khanh Hoa province.

Truong Sa Islands include more than 100 small and large islands, underground plains and coral stone panes over the water surface at low tide with an area of approximately 160-180,000 square kilometers.

Truong Sa Islands are divided into eight groups of Song Tu, Loai Ta, Thi Tu, Nam Yet, Sinh Ton, Truong Sa, Tham Hiem and Binh Nguyen. Among them, situated in the North of the islands, the highest island is Song Tu Tay of 4-6 meters high at the low tide. Sac Lot island is the South-most one. The biggest island is Ba Binh with an area of 0.6 square kilometers. Nam Yet is the second biggest island with 0.5 square kilometers and series of smaller ones. The distance among islands is also various. The two closest islands of Song Tu Dong and Song Tu Tay are only 1.5 sea miles from each other. The largest distance between two islands of Song Tu Tay and An Bang, which is up to 280 sea miles.

On December 21st 1933, Governor of the Southern region Groothayme signed decree to put Truong Sa Islands under the management of Ba Ria province. Until the Sai Gon regime, the management of the Truong Sa Islands was handed over to Phuoc Tuy province.

After Vietnam’s reunification, on December 9th 1982, Truong Sa Island district was officially established under the control of Dong Nai province. On December 28th 1982, it was merged into Phu Khanh province. On June 30th 1989, Phu Khanh province was separated into two provinces of Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa. Since then, Truong Sa island district has been under the authority of Khanh Hoa province.

Phong ba trees, the symbol of Truong Sa.

Almond trees are very popular on Truong Sa.

Almond flowers.

Cows chew grass under the shade of phong ba trees.

Local people also raise poultry.

Dogs on Truong Sa are very good at swimming
and catching fish.

Soldiers and people on Truong Sa also plant vegetables
and fruit trees.

Truong Sa town.