Located in the north of Truong Sa (Spratley) Archipelago, in Khanh Hoaprovince, Nam Yet island is called the “Coconut island”. From afar, theisland is like a blue silk strait with ranges of coconut trees. Reportedby Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).
With a width of about200m and a length of 600m, Nam Yet island is oval-shaped. Trees typicalof Truong Sa archipelago are planted on Nam Yet island but coconuts arethe most numerous.
Colonel Phan Van Dich, who has worked on theisland for nearly 30 years, says that the soil on Nam Yet is good forgrowing coconut trees.
"When we arrived on the island, coconuttrees were already there. The elders told us that those coconut treescame from the mainland. They are becoming more numerous as Nam Yet nowgrows seedlings to plant on other islands of the archipelago,” VOVquoted Dich as saying.
It is difficult to count the number ofcoconut trees growing on the island but it is certain that the caregiven to these plants is an art that takes time and work.
ColonelNguyen Van Tam, Political Commissar of Group 1 on the island, says thatNam Yet is paying closer attention to growing coconuts. Dry and stuntedcoconuts will be nursed and when they are 30 cm high, will betransplanted to a garden. Coconuts here are planted at two times: in thespring and whenever soldiers leave the island, because they want toplant a coconut tree as a souvenir.
Coconut trees areresistant to the harsh climate on the island. They produce fruitthroughout the year and particularly during the dry season. A tree canprovide two to four clusters coconuts.
Products made fromcoconut trees are popular on the island. The leaves are used to covervegetable gardens and animal shelters. Dried coconuts are used to scoopwater. Some skilled soldiers even embed shells to make nice gifts fortheir family and friends.
Colonel Tran Dinh Hoa, PoliticalCommissar on Nam Yet island, said: “We take good care of the coconuttrees because they provide water and food for our soldiers. Coconutsmake the island green and they are strong enough to withstand the harshconditions on the island. Coconut trees are a symbol of Vietnam,representing Vietnam’s national sovereignty”.
Coconut treesstand majestically to protect the island from waves like the soldierswho spare no effort to defend national sovereignty.-VNA
With a width of about200m and a length of 600m, Nam Yet island is oval-shaped. Trees typicalof Truong Sa archipelago are planted on Nam Yet island but coconuts arethe most numerous.
Colonel Phan Van Dich, who has worked on theisland for nearly 30 years, says that the soil on Nam Yet is good forgrowing coconut trees.
"When we arrived on the island, coconuttrees were already there. The elders told us that those coconut treescame from the mainland. They are becoming more numerous as Nam Yet nowgrows seedlings to plant on other islands of the archipelago,” VOVquoted Dich as saying.
It is difficult to count the number ofcoconut trees growing on the island but it is certain that the caregiven to these plants is an art that takes time and work.
ColonelNguyen Van Tam, Political Commissar of Group 1 on the island, says thatNam Yet is paying closer attention to growing coconuts. Dry and stuntedcoconuts will be nursed and when they are 30 cm high, will betransplanted to a garden. Coconuts here are planted at two times: in thespring and whenever soldiers leave the island, because they want toplant a coconut tree as a souvenir.
Coconut trees areresistant to the harsh climate on the island. They produce fruitthroughout the year and particularly during the dry season. A tree canprovide two to four clusters coconuts.
Products made fromcoconut trees are popular on the island. The leaves are used to covervegetable gardens and animal shelters. Dried coconuts are used to scoopwater. Some skilled soldiers even embed shells to make nice gifts fortheir family and friends.
Colonel Tran Dinh Hoa, PoliticalCommissar on Nam Yet island, said: “We take good care of the coconuttrees because they provide water and food for our soldiers. Coconutsmake the island green and they are strong enough to withstand the harshconditions on the island. Coconut trees are a symbol of Vietnam,representing Vietnam’s national sovereignty”.
Coconut treesstand majestically to protect the island from waves like the soldierswho spare no effort to defend national sovereignty.-VNA
