The 'Moon of the Sea' programme was held on September 20 by Dantri/DTiNews Newspaper in coordination with Naval Region 5 Command and the Vietnam Seas and Islands Association, with support from sponsors.
The event featured traditional Mid-Autumn activities and performances for children whose parents serve with Naval Region 5. It was the third year Dantri/DTiNews had organised a Mid-Autumn programme for families in naval regions.
Pham Tuan Anh, Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, thanked Naval Region 5 Command and donors for supporting the programme and naval families.
Senior Colonel Hoang Quoc Hoan, deputy political commissar of Naval Region 5, said some naval personnel spend the festival aboard ships, on islands or at radar stations, away from their families.
"For parents who are away on duty, every smile from their children is a precious source of encouragement," he said.
Organisers awarded 100 scholarships worth VND 500,000 (about USD 19) each, along with 1,000 Mid-Autumn gift packages and 25 bicycles for children of Naval Region 5 personnel.
Among those attending was Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung, 34, who brought her two sons while her husband, Major Nguyen Van Chi Lieu of Brigade 127, was away on duty in Khanh Hoa Province.
Nhung said her husband's assignments often kept him away from home for weeks and sometimes as long as two months. He was expected to return at the end of the month.
"I understand the nature of his work and always try to be a strong support for him. Their father is away, but this Mid-Autumn Festival still feels complete for my children and me because of these meaningful gifts," she added.
Major Phan Van Quan, a logistics and technical officer with Naval Region 5 Command, brought his daughter to the 2026 'Moon of the Sea' programme, where she enjoyed performances and received Mid-Autumn gifts from Dantri/DTiNews and sponsors.
Children received comic books, books, mooncakes, milk and lanterns, while lion dances and musical performances added to the festive atmosphere.
One of the evening's more poignant moments came when three children of serviceman Tran Son Tung made a video call to their father, who was away on duty.
The wider programme also included visits and gifts for 14 families and wounded or sick veterans, as well as visits to personnel at Brigade 127 and Radar Station 605.
The programme had total funding of VND 345.36 million (about USD 13,200), contributed by Dantri/DTiNews readers, donors, organisations and businesses.
Sponsors included Nam A Bank, Agribank's Phu Quoc branch, Southern Power Corporation, Bac Trung Nam Infrastructure Construction Joint Stock Company, VietFoods, Havico and other businesses.
