April Journey of Overseas Vietnamese: Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago forever held in our hearts
WVR - In the historic days of April, I had the honour of setting foot in Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago on a seven-day working trip—a journey to the sacred territory of our Fatherland.
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| The members of the “Great National Unity Voyage” at the sovereignty landmark of Truong Sa Island. (Photo: Hong Chau) |
Despite the tight schedule, intense sun, and strong sea winds that at times left us exhausted, the trip left every participant with deep, lasting, and unforgettable emotions.
In April, the sea was calm, and the waves were gentle, although the sun had begun to grow harsh. On April 202, our Working Group No. 13 departed from Da Nang aboard vessel KN390, embarking on a journey to visit and engage with officers, soldiers, and residents of the Truong Sa island district (Khanh Hoa province), as well as the DK1/8 Que Duong platform on the southern continental shelf of the Fatherland.
This trip, called "The Great National Unity Voyage," brought together 160 delegates from various agencies, localities, and units. Notably, it included 17 deputies of the 15th National Assembly, 67 overseas Vietnamese from 26 countries and territories, and 4 members of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front.
For many overseas Vietnamese who have been away from home for years, the Great National Unity Voyage was not only a journey to the seas and islands on the frontline of the Fatherland—it was also a heartfelt return to their national roots and to the beloved motherland.
Sharing the same emotions as many others living far from home, Ms. Hoai Thuong, President of the Vietnamese Community School Cay Tre Osaka and representative of the Vietnamese Association in Kansai (Japan), was overwhelmed with emotion and pride the moment she set foot on the frontier of the nation. "Witnessing firsthand the lives, work, and sacrifices of our Navy officers and soldiers who are steadfastly guarding the frontlines day and night, we gain a much deeper understanding of the meaning of the word ‘Fatherland," she shared.
After participating in the Homeland Spring program earlier this year, becoming a member of the 13th working delegation to Truong Sa during the historic days of April—when the entire country was looking forward to the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025)—was described by Venerable Thich Phap Quang, Abbot of Truc Lam Zen Monastery in Kandy (Sri Lanka), as “fate upon fate.”
In a conversation with us, Venerable Thich Phap Quang shared: “Before coming here, I had heard many stories about Vietnam’s Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos. If India is the spiritual land for Buddhists around the world, a place everyone hopes to visit at least once, then for me, Truong Sa is the spiritual land of Vietnamese people—those whose hearts are always turned toward the Fatherland.”
He emphasized that Truong Sa is not only a frontline outpost defending the country, but also a place of life—where children’s laughter can be heard, where marine economic services will flourish, and where the Vietnamese aspiration to reach the open sea takes form. “We have over 300,000 square kilometers of land, but we possess up to three million square kilometers of sea. Today's efforts in Truong Sa are laying the groundwork for future generations to move forward, realizing the goal of becoming a strong maritime nation,” he said.
“This sea is ours, this island is ours”
Music is always an essential source of spiritual nourishment in every journey from the mainland to distant islands. Amid the waves and winds of the open sea, music—the melodies, lyrics, and voices—serves as a powerful bond connecting those on the home front with the soldiers stationed at the nation's frontline.
Participating in the group of artists was Ms. Tran Thi Thuy Phuong, a music teacher at Phan Sao Nam Secondary School in Hue City. As a member of the Vietnam Musicians Association, she expressed her honour and pride through a song composed just one night after the ship visited Sinh Ton Island.
Together with musician Xuan Minh, Ms. Thuy Phuong’s song “Truong Sa Mien Nho” was mixed, arranged, filmed on board, and performed by her during cultural exchanges with soldiers on the islands of Da Tay A, Co Lin, and Truong Sa.
“The voyage was not long, but it was enough to still my heart in the face of so many simple yet profound things. I cried and was deeply moved when listening to the heartfelt stories of young soldiers on remote islands—their homesickness, their love for their homeland and families,” Ms. Thuy Phuong shared.
Those emotions inspired her to write “Truong Sa Mien Nho” and perform it for the soldiers during the trip. Surely, after this voyage, she will write more songs about Truong Sa and the broader theme of Vietnam’s seas and islands.
The week-long journey has ended, but the memories of that special experience remain deeply etched in everyone’s hearts.
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