Cover of the 'Truong Sa - Here We Come' picture book.

Published by the Kim Dong Publishing House, the book features 150 photos highlighting the nature, life and people in Truong Sa, as well as the soldiers who are safeguarding Vietnam’s sovereignty day and night.

The photos were selected from thousands of photos taken during Tra’s ten-day working trip to the archipelago in 2017. Before the book was introduced to the public, a selection of photos from the book was displayed at exhibitions held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The trip to Truong Sa is worth remembering for Tra. Despite being badly seasick while on board, Tra savoured every moment to capture everything she witnessed during the route: a rainbow after the rain over the top of a lighthouse, which was sat in the middle of the ship and the island at that moment, a dog on the edge of the island and looking to the skyline, a smile which brightened up the suntanned face of an island soldier, and naïve children on the island.

A rainbow after the rain over the top of a lighthouse, which was sat in the middle of the ship and the island at that moment.

The stunning moments were captured not only through the lenses of a photographer but also with the love of a mainlander towards the country’s archipelago.

The memories are still alive in Tra’s mind. She said that ‘Truong Sa – Here We Come’ is not a book for readers to skim through and only scan for photos. Although it is a picture book, it has a lot of text as the author wants to write down and share all of the things she has learned and explored during her time in Truong Sa with those who haven’t had a chance to go there.

One of her favorite photos in the book is a picture of a square-shaped Malabar almond flower, a symbol of Truong Sa and an inspiration for every photographer who is lucky enough to set foot to the archipelago.

A malabar almond flower.

Tra recalled that her trip took place at a time when Truong Sa had a poor crop of the flower. She didn’t see any sign of the almond flower in any of the islands she visited. One evening when she returned to Truong Sa Lon island, she was surprised to see an almond flower blooming on the top of a tree.

However, it was challenging to get a sharp focus for the photo as it was completely dark, and she had to stand on a tall chair to take the picture with the support of a flashlight from her friends.

The book received great appreciation from the naval soldiers at the launch ceremony in Hanoi.

Source: NDO