Truong Sa – Where Overseas Vietnamese faith meets the Homeland’s heart
WVR - Eleven years, three journeys, one undying love. Returning from Truong Sa, my heart still beats with the rhythm of the sea and an infinite gratitude...
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| The author with Task Group No. 10 visited the Truong Sa Archipelago and DK-I Rig from April 17-23, 2026. (Photo: Courtesy by author) |
Eleven years ago, I left Truong Sa with a small square almond seedling nestled in my palm and a silent promise wrapped in my heart. Eleven years later, that seedling has transformed into a resilient tree, its roots deeply embedded in the soil of Singapore, proudly standing tall and green within the campus of the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, symbolizing a sacred sovereignty present in a foreign land.
Returning this time, standing amidst the vast ocean, breathing in the distinctive salty air of the East Sea, I suddenly realized it wasn't me who took a seedling far away, but rather Truong Sa that sowed an "eternal seed of faith" into the hearts of expatriates like us. An indomitable, enduring vitality of the nation that neither time nor space can fade.
Pilgrimage to the most sacred place of the soul
This trip for me is not merely a sea journey, but a pilgrimage back to the most sacred place of the soul. There are moments when words become too small before the grandeur of reality.
It was the moment my heart tightened, my chest trembled when I saw the national flag fluttering amidst the deep blue of the sea and sky. That red colour is as vibrant as flesh and blood, like the heartbeat of millions of Vietnamese hearts resonating across the vast ocean.
When singing the National Anthem filled with immense pride on Truong Sa Island, a symbol of indomitable spirit and will, I felt as if I was merging with the sacred spirit of the mountains and rivers.
In distant lands, peace is sometimes taken for granted. But only when standing here, under the scorching sun, amidst the salty air clinging to the skin, touching the towering sovereignty markers, did I fully understand: Every moment of our peace is exchanged with the youth, the iron discipline, and the silent, nameless sacrifices of the island soldiers.
They chose to stand at the forefront, taking on the hardest challenges to provide us, the expatriates, with a solid spiritual anchor, so that wherever in the world, Vietnamese people can confidently hold their heads high.
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| The author takes a photo at DK-I/19 Que Duong Rig. (Photo: Courtesy by author) |
When calm seas stir the soul
Throughout the journey, perhaps the moment that silenced my heart and all the delegates the most was the Memorial Ceremony for the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting the sea and island sovereignty.
The sea this season is unusually calm, its surface as still as if holding its breath to soothe the souls of the soldiers who have remained. But in that vast silence, the sound of the bugle calling the souls of the fallen resonates even more tragically, weaving into every crevice of the soul.
This is the third time I have been fortunate to participate in the journey, and all three times, the emotions remain an indescribable tightness in my chest.
Watching the fresh wreaths, the chrysanthemums, and the small paper cranes floating on the clear blue sea, I understand that beneath that peace are the finest sons of the motherland who have forever left their most beautiful youth to the ocean. They have not disappeared; they have transformed into the sea and sky, into coral reefs embracing the shape of the Homeland.
Three times standing silently on the ship's deck, and three times my tears mixed with the salty sea. That sacrifice reminds us that every inch of this sea not only has the saltiness of salt but also the saltiness of sweat and the blood and bones of our ancestors. It urges us to live worthy of those who have remained beneath the ocean so that the red flag with a yellow star can forever fly over the waves.
"Deep roots, strong foundation" - Wisdom directed towards origins
Looking at the square almond trees, the resilient trees still green despite growing from barren rocks and coral sand, enduring through stormy seasons, I see the reflection of our own community.
No matter where we settle, no matter how many nautical miles away, the "roots" of wisdom and the heart of the Vietnamese always deeply cling to their origins. We are like birds spreading our wings across five continents, but our eyes are always yearning towards the East Sea.
This journey is more special than ever because we carry with us a thirst for knowledge. Accompanying me are leading experts and intellectuals in sustainable technology, in advanced materials...
We come here not as visitors, but to affirm: Geographical distance can be measured in nautical miles, but the responsibility to the Homeland knows no distance.
If the soldiers use their will and courage to maintain sovereignty, then we, the expatriates, vow to use our intellect as the "strength of the rear," bringing technology to green Truong Sa, to ease the hardships of life at the forefront.
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| Task Group No. 10 consists of 48 overseas Vietnamese from 22 countries, along with representatives from agencies, units, businesses with significant contributions, some artists, and domestic journalists. (Photo Courtesy by author) |
The lighthouse in consciousness and the promise of action
At the moment of farewell, watching the waving hands from the pier gradually fade in the sun and sea spray, my heart surged with an indescribable emotion.
Goodbye Truong Sa, goodbye the towering DK1 Rig, I return to Singapore not with a new green seedling or just beautiful and meaningful memories, but with a "lighthouse" shining brightly in my consciousness.
I promise myself and my comrades to continue being a persistent bridge, spreading the image of a steadfast Truong Sa to the Vietnamese community in Singapore and international friends.
Love for the Homeland, the sea, and islands does not stop at emotions and words but must crystallize into the most practical and powerful actions. I believe that every intellectual contribution, every technology project directed here is a brick building the most sustainable wall of sovereignty protection.
Thank you, Truong Sa, for teaching me the resilience and generosity of the sea. Thank you, island soldiers, for showing me how sacred and magnificent my Homeland is.
Truong Sa remains steadfast because of your vigilance.
The Homeland will always reach far because of the unity of millions of hearts beating in unison with Vietnam.
