From Truong Sa to the ancestral land and borderlands: A journey home
WVR - Recently, I embarked on a meaningful April journey, starting from a sea voyage to Truong Sa Island, DK1 Rig, returning to the Ancestral Land of Phu Tho, and concluding at the borderlands of Lang Son.
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| The author in the soldiers' green vegetable garden. |
The epic at the forefront
The trip to Truong Sa with Task Force No. 10 aboard the KN490 was not just a sea voyage but a journey straight into the heart of the nation.
Amidst the vast sky and sea, the red flag with a golden star fluttering is not merely a symbol but the shared heartbeat of millions of Vietnamese hearts.
Standing on the ship's deck, gazing at the rigs, the floating and submerged islands, I realized that "sovereignty" has never been an abstract concept. Sovereignty is tangible, vibrant, and sacred in every inch of land, every wave, and in the people who tirelessly guard this place day and night.
The soldiers of Truong Sa embody greatness from the simplest things. Living far from the mainland, away from family in countless hardships, yet their smiles remain bright, their handshakes firm, and their eyes always reflect unwavering faith. Standing before them, I felt small in the presence of such steadfast determination.
The most poignant moment was the Memorial Ceremony for the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of safeguarding the sea and island sovereignty. In the calm sea, as wreaths were released into the deep blue water, the atmosphere seemed to pause. The solemn music that played was not just sound, but memory, loss, and an eternal reminder never to forget. The sea was calm that day, but the hearts of people surged with invisible waves.
Truong Sa not only stirs emotions but also forges a will. It is the will to do something more practical, so that sacrifices are not only remembered but also continued with concrete actions. And from that frontline, I carried with me a belief in human-centered science, the belief that science must serve humanity, especially in the harshest conditions.
In Truong Sa, plastic waste and old tires can become Aerogel, a super-light material that helps insulate, filter water, and collect moisture to create fresh water. The ultimate value of science does not remain in the laboratory but shines where it helps people live better, self-sustain, and stand firm amidst the vast ocean.
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| The sea was calm that day, but the hearts of people surged with invisible waves. |
Returning to the nation's roots
Leaving Truong Sa, my journey did not stop but continued to seek a deeper anchor: the nation's roots at the Hung Kings Temple, in Phu Tho province.
In the sacred atmosphere of the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, each step offering incense seemed to slow down, allowing the soul to find peace amidst the flow of thousands of years of history. No more waves, no more sea breeze, only silence, for one to face history, ancestors, and oneself.
Standing before the spirits of the Hung Kings, I not only offered incense to report on the journey traveled but also felt more than ever the profound meaning and full weight of the words "compatriot".
From the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, we are born from the same hundred-egg sac, sharing the same roots, bloodline, life force, and responsibility for the country across generations.
What we are doing today, whether in scientific research, education, or the most silent contributions, are ways to honor the past. Those roots are the firm foundation for every Vietnamese, no matter where in the world, to always have a sacred place to look towards.
If Truong Sa ignites the will, then the Hung Kings Temple strengthens the faith. The faith that every action today is not just for the present but is a continuation of thousands of years of history. The faith that the tradition of "drinking water, remember the source" is not just a memory but a living motivation, a standard for action.
And from that foundation, the journey moves into another phase, a phase of action.
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| The author respectfully offers incense in memory at the Hung Kings Temple (Phu Tho). |
Sowing hope and building in the borderlands
Carrying the flame of pride from the Ancestral Land and the resilient spirit from the islands, my journey continued to the borderlands of Lang Son. If Truong Sa is a place to test the steely will, then Lang Son is the land calling for practical actions. I came here not just to observe but to contribute a small part to the development of this place.
At Dong Dang Primary School, I encountered pure smiles, bright eyes, and polite, innocent greetings. It was here that I realized the future of the country is not something distant but is present in every gaze of the children at the nation's frontier, in every aspiration to learn, rise, and the strong belief in the future. Through their eyes, I saw the silhouette of a Vietnam steadily growing.
But faith alone is not enough. Faith needs to be transformed into action. And in Lang Son, the circle of knowledge and responsibility is completed with concrete actions.
In a meeting with the provincial leaders, accompanied by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, I had the opportunity to share technological solutions for transforming agricultural by-products like pineapples into high-value materials. From what seems to be waste, we can completely recreate new resources. From localities facing many challenges, we can open up sustainable development directions.
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| The author takes a photo with students of Dong Dang Primary School. |
This is not just a story about technology but about how to turn knowledge into practical value, about how to connect global intelligence with local needs so that technology truly creates positive impacts right at home, about how every Vietnamese, no matter where they are, can contribute to the country's journey.
Proudly moving forward
Truong Sa taught me about resilience, a place that forges will. The Ancestral Land of Phu Tho reminded me of the principle of remembering one's roots, providing spiritual strength. And the borderlands of Lang Son showed me the meaning of aspiration and concrete action.
That journey is no longer a series of separate destinations but a unified flow, from emotion to awareness and from awareness to action.
I am grateful to the soldiers of Truong Sa, who taught me what resilience is. I am grateful to the nation's roots for giving me a solid spiritual foundation. And I am grateful to the people of the borderlands for giving me the opportunity to contribute, even if just a very small part.
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| The author with the overseas Vietnamese delegation working with the leaders of Lang Son province. |
Concluding the journey, I carry with me a clear belief: Vietnam is not only protected by the will at the forefront, not only preserved and transformed powerfully by deep roots, but also created every day, innovatively and tirelessly, with specific, persistent, and responsible actions.
Truong Sa, the Ancestral Land, or the borderlands are no longer distant. Because all that love and responsibility now reside fully in the heart and blend into the steps of action. And that journey is still continuing.
