On location: In her new DVD, Khanh Hoa sings songs in praise of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands and the troops stationed there. —Photo biendong.vntime.vn

HA NOI (VNS)— Award-winning singer Khanh Hoa has released a DVD of songs in praise of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands and the troops stationed there.

The DVD is one of the first filmed entirely on the islands of the offshore archipelago.

The DVD, entitled Gan Lam Truong Sa (The Spratlys Are So Close) arose out of Hoa's third visit to the islands and represents two years of work preparing for the project, Hoa said. The songs include compositions by Tran Manh Hung, Do Bao, Son Trach, Tran Minh Tuan, and Tan Phong.

"In the minds of many people, the Spratlys are a very tough region with a lot of wind and sunshine," she said. "But in this DVD, I want to present to the public the grand and pure beauty of the place, along with the beautiful and romantic soul of the soldiers working and living here."

Getting to the archipelago is not easy due to the difficult conditions of travel by ship, but this didn't deter Hoa from returning often, even though each trip caused her to lose several kilogrammes.

"No other sea can be more beautiful than at the Spratlys," she said. "Anyone who has seen it with their own eyes can verify that."

Born in Thanh Hoa Province, Hoa joined the Thang Long Music and Dance Theatre in 2005 after graduating from the Viet Nam National Academy of Music. She has won several medals in national music contests.

To make the new DVD, she spent 12 days visiting 10 islands of the archipelago. She and her crew took advantage of every minute to work, getting up at 2am everyday and starting work at 3am due to the time required to travel between the different islands.

"Many times I was exhausted. But we told to ourselves not to abandon our project because we might not have another occasion to realise our dream. We are ready to do every thing for our beloved Truong Sa, " Hoa recalled.

She remembers the terrible heat on the archipelago. "My skin became very tan, like that of the soldiers. However, at that moment, I didn't think so much about how to look beautiful; I only thought about how to work rapidly and effectively."

Hoa said she was touched to receive a warm welcome from the local soldiers and civilians and experience their lives.

"They are simple but noble people. Although they live with many difficulties, they remain very sentimental and optimistic. When I met them, I felt more proud of my country and loved it more."

"After I watched her DVD, I felt the islands were so close, as the name of the album implies," said fellow singer Tan Minh. "I was touched to feel the warmth among people there."

"It's a touching album," said musician Nguyen Trong Tao. "It can make people feel closer to the sea, to the islands and to the soldiers. With an expressive singing voice and a great love for the islands, Hoa has touched the hearts of many people."

Hoa offered 500 copies of the DVD to the soldiers of the archipelago.

"I make this DVD not only for those who have been or never been to the islands, but for the soldiers who spend days and night guarding the sea," she said. — VNS