Da Nang’s residents have always showed their sentimental attachment to the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos and other national territorial waters with deep pride.

A square almond tree being planted at the Da Nang Vocational Training Junior College

Those, who have the opportunity to join in voyages to the Truong Sa Archipelago, always long to bring a square almond tree (barringtonia asiatica), even only a small branch, in order for it to be planted in the mainland.

The intention is to keep unforgettable memories about their once-in-a-lifetime trips, and more importantly, to strongly re-affirm that the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos which, in their minds, are inseparable ‘blood and flesh’ parts of Viet Nam.

It is common to see many barringtonia asiatica trees planted along the coastal Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, and at the Son Tra District Administration Centre, the Da Nang Vocational Training Junior College, and the headquarters of some city-based military forces.

It is believed that the presence of barringtonia asiatica trees across the city is so reminiscent of the beloved islands on which Vietnamese naval soldiers safeguard the sovereignty of the nation’s sea and its islands both day and night.

Mr Le Phi Tuan, the Chief of Office the municipal Youth Union, who made a trip to Truong Sa in April, said he was very deeply touched by the enduring vitality of barringtonia asiatica trees planted on the islands regardless of unfavourable weather conditions.

Mr Tuan took the chance to ask for a branch of this kind of special trees from the Phan Vinh Island to plant it right in his office.  In his point of view, this precious gift helps to educate the young generations about the ardent patriotism, and inspire them to nurture their love for their Fatherland’s sea and islands, and the spirit of national pride.

In 2014 when China illegally placed the HD-981 oil drilling rig in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone between 1 May and 16 July, the municipal Union of Literature and Arts Associations took the initiative to launch a contest to create arts works on the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes.

The event’s organisers received a total of songs, dozens of poems, and a large number of paintings and sculptures on the 2 archipelagoes. These national territorial parts are considered as an endless source of inspiration for those involved in arts, indeed.

Interestingly, along the pedestrian underpass at the western end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge, opposite the Museum of Cham Sculpture, are 2 paintings, impressively namely ‘Bien Goi’ (The Sea is Calling) and ‘Tai Nguyen Vo Gia’ (Valuable Natural Resources).

Drawn by lecturers and students from the Fine Arts Faculty of the city-based Junior College of Culture and Arts in 2016, these paintings have been recognised by the Viet Nam Record Association, Vietkings, as the national largest ever pair of acrylic publicity beach paintings on canvas.

Using the blue of the sea as their main colour, the acrylic beach paintings on canvas vividly depict the richness of life in the ocean, and the generosity of nature for sea creatures.

Through their works, the painters wanted to convey to their viewers a message about marine environmental protection and love for the national sea and its nature. 

Thanks to these eye-catching paintings, the concrete pedestrian underpass is turned into highly impressive arts spaces allowing pedestrians to snap photos.