Practically celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 / April 30, 2025) and the 135th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's birthday (May 19, 1890 / May 19, 2025), Squadron 11 organized sports activities such as mini soccer, volleyball, pickleball tournaments... attracting the participation of a large number of officers and soldiers in the unit.

Officers and soldiers of Coast Guard Ship 4036 (Flotilla 112) read books and newspapers during break time at the ship club.

In the competitions, the athletes competed with all their might, giving the audience great plays and beautiful matches, contributing to creating a joyful, healthy and united atmosphere in the entire unit. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Lam, Commander of the 11th Naval Division, said: “The cultural, artistic and sports movements are maintained regularly by the officers and soldiers in the unit. During breaks and holidays, the soldiers actively participate in practicing volleyball, table tennis, badminton, soccer and pickleball at the unit's sports field.”

In addition, the Navy also actively participates in mass cultural, artistic, physical training and sports movements and activities organized by the locality where the unit is stationed on the occasion of major holidays of the Party, the country and the Army during the year.

Officers and soldiers of Squadron 112 play football to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Lam, to improve the cultural and spiritual life of officers and soldiers, the Party Committee and the Navy Command regularly pay attention to and take care of the material facilities to serve the cultural enjoyment needs of officers and soldiers.

Currently, all agencies and units in the Navy have reading rooms, common rooms, and law bookcases to serve the living, studying, and entertainment activities of officers and soldiers; all units regularly maintain the regime of reading newspapers, watching news, participating in cultural and artistic activities, and organizing comrades' birthdays.

The unit also regularly organizes competitions, art performances, and sports tournaments to celebrate major holidays and important political events of the unit, the army, and the country. “Cultural, artistic, physical education and sports activities contribute to building a healthy cultural environment in the unit, fostering the qualities and personality of revolutionary soldiers,” said Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Lam.

Volleyball match scene of officers and soldiers of Squadron 111.

Corporal Pham Van Dat, a marine soldier of CSB 4036, said: "Every day, after specialized training, we participate in sports. During weekends and holidays, the unit regularly organizes art performances, folk games, and sports competitions such as table tennis, badminton, volleyball, and mini soccer, attracting a large number of officers and soldiers to participate. Especially, when the ship squadrons go on long-term missions at sea in difficult weather conditions, the unit commander provides full cultural facilities such as chess, Chinese chess, guitars, books, magazines, etc. for officers and soldiers to have fun and entertain themselves."

In order for the cultural, artistic, physical education and sports movements in the unit to continue to develop, according to Lieutenant Colonel Le Anh Son, Political Commissar of the 11th Naval Division, in the coming time, the Party Committee and the Command of the 11th Naval Division will continue to direct the promotion of propaganda and education work, raising awareness among officers and soldiers about the role of building a good and healthy cultural environment in the army; actively innovate and diversify forms of cultural, artistic, physical education and sports activities, effectively promoting the role of cultural and sports institutions in the unit. Thereby, contributing to building a politically strong Naval Division, successfully completing all assigned tasks.

Article and photos: DUY THUAN