Vietnamese community in Thailand’s Udon Thani honours heroes and strengthens homeland ties
WVR - Amidst the serene setting of Khanh An Pagoda in Udon Thani Province, Thailand, the Vietnamese community recently held a grand memorial ceremony to honour heroes and compatriots who perished over various periods. More than just a spiritual ritual, the event served as a convergence of memories, gratitude, and the enduring bond between expatriates and their homeland.
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| The grand memorial ceremony for heroes and compatriots who perished over various periods at Khanh An Pagoda, Udon Thani Province, Thailand. (Photo: Duc Trung) |
The ceremony was organized by the Vietnamese Association in Udon Thani and presided over by Venerable Thich Thien Duc, the Abbot of Khanh An Pagoda.
Attendees included Mr. Dinh Hoang Linh – Consul General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen City, leaders of the Vietnamese Association across Thailand, and over 100 expatriates along with monks and fellow believers.
In a solemn atmosphere, each incense stick was lit not only to remember the departed but also as a reminder of the past filled with sacrifices and hardships that the Vietnamese people endured to achieve today's peace.
Speaking at the ceremony, Consul General Dinh Hoang Linh emphasized that Vietnam's history is written not only by the names of renowned heroes but also by countless anonymous individuals who fell for the nation's independence and freedom. This sacrifice laid a solid foundation for the country's development and rise in the new era.
“Honouring those who sacrificed for the nation is a cultural beauty, reflecting the traditional moral 'when eating a fruit, think of the person who planted the tree'. This activity attracts a large number of expatriates, thereby affirming the spirit of looking towards the homeland and strengthening the great national unity,” Consul General Dinh Hoang Linh affirmed.
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| The grand memorial ceremony honouring heroes has been organized annually by the Vietnamese community in Northeast Thailand for the past 10 years. (Source: VNA) |
A distinctive feature of the memorial ceremony in Udon Thani is its steadfast continuity over the past decade. Initiated in 2016, the event originally commemorated 64 martyrs who fell at Gac Ma in 1988. Today, its significance has expanded to honor all who sacrificed for the nation and compatriots who perished during various historical periods. This evolution reflects the deep awareness and encompassing spirit of the overseas Vietnamese community.
For many expatriates, participating in the ceremony is not merely a religious ritual. It is also an opportunity to recount to their descendants the nation's history, maritime sovereignty, and the losses endured by previous generations. These stories, shared in the tranquil space of the pagoda, become vivid lessons in patriotism and the responsibility to preserve one's roots.
The image of women meticulously preparing offerings from early morning, or elderly individuals quietly praying, creates a rich emotional tableau. Each person plays a part, but all share a common heart directed towards their homeland.
(Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Khon Kaen, Thailand)
