VietNamNet Bridge – Anyone visiting an island in the East Sea of Vietnam may be impressed by the vegetable gardens grown by soldiers. All kinds of containers are used to store soil brought from the mainland to raise vegetables.

Waste not want not: Used boxes are used to plant vegetables in almost every corner of the islands.

On the islands with lots of waves and sunlight, fresh water is a luxury. In summer, to save the small amount of fresh water on the islands, soldiers have to bathe in basins to save their bath water for the vegetables.

When it rains, they store rainwater in barrels. During the rainy season, they may get to bathe every two days. In dry season, it’s closer to every four days.

Kids doing it for themselves: A flower garden cared for by the Youth Union on Da Thi Island.  Greenery: A vegetable garden on Son Ca Island. VNS Photos Hoang Mien Oink oink: Pigs are raised on a DK1/11 scaffolding house.

Vegetable seeds are sent from the mainland, which must be suitable to the sunny and dry conditions offshore.

On scaffolding houses on stone islands submerged under water, soldiers have designed farms for raising chickens and pigs and planted vegetable on the roofs.

The soldiers’ life is difficult yet they are optimistic and cheerful as they are well aware of their responsibility of protecting the country’s sovereignty in the sea. 

Sovereignty: Used boxes for raising vegetables. Sky high: An aerial view on DK1/11 scaffolding house, which guards the national sovereignty on the sea.  Strapping young men: Soldiers on Sinh Ton Island perform a song to entertain guests from inland. Read all about: Navy soldiers share a copy of Viet Nam News in their relaxing time.  Men of many talents: Soldiers, residents on the island and guests from the mainland watch an art show by soldiers on Sinh Ton Island.

VNS