Far off Vietnam’s southern coast, the DK1 platforms stand firm amid crashing waves, guarded day and night by the soldiers of DK1 Battalion under Naval Region 2.
Far off Vietnam’s southern coast, the DK1 platforms stand firm amid crashing waves, guarded day and night by the soldiers of DK1 Battalion under Naval Region 2.
For 36 years, these troops have quietly and resolutely defended the nation’s maritime sovereignty.
Maintaining high combat readiness through regular training on DK1 platforms.
Formed on July 5, 1989, during a time of maritime tension, DK1 Battalion was tasked with an unprecedented mission: maintaining a permanent military presence on submerged reefs far out at sea. The DK1 platforms, steel structures anchored to the continental shelf, serve as both frontline outposts and national symbols.
The DK1 platform system stands firm against the ocean’s fiercest storms.
Life on the platforms is harsh. Waves over 15 meters high have destroyed five platforms, claiming the lives of 11 young servicemen. Yet after each loss, new platforms were rebuilt, stronger and more resilient. Today, the battalion operates 15 main platforms across areas like Tu Chinh and Huyen Tran, where the weather is among the most unforgiving in Vietnam.
Amid vast waters, DK1 soldiers are a reliable lifeline for fishermen at sea.
More than a military outpost, the DK1 Battalion is a lifeline for fishermen. In the first half of 2025 alone, its personnel supported hundreds of fishing boats, providing water, fuel, food, and emergency medical care. For many seafarers, the DK1 Battalion is both a lighthouse and a refuge.
Growing vegetables on DK1 platforms helps ensure fresh supplies for troops.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Trung Duc, Party Secretary and Political Commissar of the DK1 Battalion, shared: “We are determined to build an exemplary, modern unit and uphold our heroic tradition, remaining a steel fortress defending Vietnam’s southern seas and continental shelf.”
In recognition of its service, the DK1 Battalion was awarded the title Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, along with multiple honors.
Translated by DO HUONG