Back to school in Vietnam’s remote Truong Sa archipelago

Four elementary schools—on Truong Sa, Song Tu Tay, Da Tay A, and Sinh Ton Islands—welcomed students back to class last week, each with its own quiet ceremony.

At Truong Sa Elementary School, under the golden September sun, teachers, parents, soldiers, and the students stood together for the national flag salutation ceremony.

As the school drum sounded to mark the start of the academic year, the children’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Their first lesson was 'Love your country—safeguard the sovereignty of its seas and islands.'

“The children here don’t just follow the national curriculum,” said Can Ngoc Son, deputy chairman of the Truong Sa Special Zone under Khanh Hoa Province.

“They also grow up with a deep-rooted sense of patriotism and responsibility for Vietnam’s maritime territories.

“These schools don’t just teach reading and writing—they teach pride and the sacred duty of citizenship.”

Teacher Nguyen Huu Phu echoed that sentiment: “We teach them with all our love for the seas and islands. The first lesson is always about loving the homeland and protecting the legacy our ancestors left behind.”

At Da Tay A Elementary School, children received notebooks and school supplies from naval personnel.

The small gifts, filled with care, offered strength and encouragement to the young students living at the edge of the waves.

At Sinh Ton Elementary School, island officials handed out presents after the flag-raising ceremony, while young soldiers brought songs and dances to the schoolyard, sharing in the joy of the new school year.

Laughter from the children rang out across the playground, blending with the rhythm of the waves—warming the sky and sea in one of Vietnam’s most distant corners.