The Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands are still held dear in the memories of those who have lived and worked there, despite old age and ill health.

Nguyen Tan Phat (L) and Vo Nhu Dan recalls memories when both worked in the Hoang Sa Island. (Photo: SGGP).

Tran Huynh, 82, worked at the Hoang Sa meteorological observation station in 1964-1968.

He left his wife and his son at home on the mainland to take up his position. At that time he had to cook for his colleagues and fly weather balloons.

He was stationed with four other meteorological staff, three from Saigon and a fellow citizen from Da Nang.

Everyday, he had to get up early to release weather balloons as big as rice baskets, and then he had to cook breakfast.

In his free-time he would walk around the island, enjoying the nature around him.

Huynh said there were a lot of fish in Hoang Sa islands at that time. It took him only a few hours to catch ten groupers. To supplement the meals he cooked, he planted vegetables and bred pigs.

Memories of Hoang Sa islands are also imprinted in the minds of Vo Nhu Dan and Nguyen Tan Phat.

Dan and Phat are from Da Nang City and often get together to reminisce about their times on the island.

Dan went to Hoang Sa in 1953, at that time he had a one-year old son. He cooked for soldiers based on the island and dug for turtles’ eggs, as part of his menu. He devised a method to transfer cooking from boats to the meteorological station by tortoise shells.

Phat was 25 years-old went he went to the islands in 1958. After finishing his three month tenure, he decided to stay on for another three.

Phat said that Hoang Sa is an important position for weather forecasting. When he was on the island he had to read surface atmospheric pressure, wind direction and then radio the results in. Based on the figures, forecasts were always accurate.

According to Dan, the island’s summer is very nice but is very harsh in the storm season.

During the storm season, the occupants of Hoang Sa faced food shortages for months. Many boats were unable to land at the island due to the strong winds, while the islanders could not go out fishing or plant vegetables. They had to snare birds which flew into their station.

Dan added he also loved to catch snails.

Their story betrayed that Hoang Sa is still strong in the minds of many people, they have a strong attachment to it. They, along with other Vietnamese believe the islands are forever Vietnam.

Hoang Sa (Paracel) Island is an integral part of Vietnam.

VietNamNet/SGGP