Kumquat trees, a symbol of Tet, are transported onto the ship to Truong Sa. (Photo: Thu Lan/VOV1)

“This mission serves as an encouragement for the officers, soldiers, and residents on the archipelago to continue their duty of safeguarding the sacred sovereignty of the nation’s sea and islands,” Colonel Bui Van Ben, Chief of Politics of Naval Region 4, said.

Among the carefully packed items are banh chung (square sticky rice cakes), sweets, decorative plants, and other supplies selected to enable the officers, soldiers and residents of Truong Sa to celebrate Tet with the same joy as people on the mainland.