Visit to Truong Sa in 2026: Connecting Overseas Vietnamese with the homeland's islands and seas
WVR - From April 17-23, ship 490 departed from Cam Ranh International Port, taking Working Delegation No. 10 to visit the Truong Sa Archipelago and DK-I Platform. The journey covered seven islands and one platform, including Song Tu Tay, Son Ca, Nam Yet, Da Lon C, Sinh Ton, Da Tay A, Truong Sa, and DK-I/19 Que Duong Platform.
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| Working Delegation No. 10 at the sovereignty landmark of Truong Sa Island. (Photo: State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese) |
This year's Working Delegation No. 10 comprised 48 overseas Vietnamese from 22 countries, along with representatives from agencies, units, businesses with significant contributions, some artists, and domestic journalists.
During the trip, delegates participated in meaningful activities such as visiting, encouraging, and presenting gifts to the military and civilians on the islands and platforms; organizing flag-raising ceremonies and parades on the Truong Sa Archipelago; attending the Memorial Ceremony for Heroes and Martyrs who sacrificed for the sovereignty of the seas and islands; and engaging in cultural exchanges with officers and soldiers.
Notably, the highlight of the trip was the inauguration and handover of the Green Vegetable Garden project with a roof on Truong Sa Island, donated by the Hoang Sa-Truong Sa Club in Poland and the Vietnamese community in Poland in December 2025.
This is a humanitarian and practical initiative following the April 2025 visit to Truong Sa, demonstrating the overseas Vietnamese's support for Truong Sa, not only with their heartfelt connection to the homeland but also through concrete and meaningful actions.
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| Handover of the Green Vegetable Garden with a roof. (Photo: State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese) |
The trip acknowledged the positive contributions of the overseas Vietnamese community, with total support exceeding 1.2 billion VND, including cash, essential goods, and electronic devices, helping to improve the material and spiritual life of officers, soldiers, and residents on the islands and platforms.
In particular, the Hoang Sa-Truong Sa Club in Poland, the Vietnamese community in Poland, along with overseas Vietnamese delegates from the Czech Republic visiting Truong Sa in 2026, continued to contribute and support 250 million VND to the Navy to implement the "Greening Truong Sa" program with the second Green Vegetable Garden project on an island in the Truong Sa Archipelago.
Through real-life experiences, overseas Vietnamese had the opportunity to directly witness the life, living conditions, and work of the military and civilians on remote islands. The challenges and shortages amidst the harsh conditions of the sea, along with the resilient and enduring spirit of the forces on duty, left a profound impression, helping delegates better understand the Party and State's policies and the reality of protecting maritime sovereignty.
Alongside, cultural activities such as poetry and photography creation, musical exchanges, chess competitions, and learning about the sea and islands were organized on the ship, creating a connecting space, helping delegates and soldiers bond more closely, thereby strengthening military-civilian relations and national unity.
During the journey, overseas Vietnamese delegates, including many leaders and executive committee members of overseas Vietnamese associations, participated in discussions on organizing associations, youth activities, preserving and promoting the Vietnamese language, and building a scientific and technological network.
These discussions contributed to laying the groundwork for developing practical coordinated action programs in the new phase of overseas Vietnamese affairs.
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| Overseas Vietnamese delegation forming a star shape on ship KN490. (Photo: State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese) |
In his concluding remarks, Rear Admiral Ho Thanh Hoan, Deputy Political Commissar of the Navy, head of the working delegation, affirmed that the journey contributed to asserting national sovereignty over the seas while mobilizing resources for the islands and Truong Sa, contributing to the successful implementation of the "Vietnam Sustainable Marine Economic Development Strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045" as defined by our Party.
The working trip also continued to affirm the solid and enduring relationship between the rear and the front lines; between overseas compatriots and the homeland; and between agencies, units, businesses, and the Navy and the military and civilians of the Truong Sa Archipelago and DK-I Platform.
Nguyen Trung Kien, Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, under Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Head of the working delegation, emphasized that the trip was a valuable experience, leaving many emotions and deep impressions, helping delegates and the overseas Vietnamese community better understand the determination and resilience in protecting maritime sovereignty; and better understand the efforts to protect the homeland's maritime sovereignty.
Through this, it is hoped that delegates will continue to promote the tradition of solidarity and mutual support of the Vietnamese people, continue to disseminate, spread, and enhance the spirit of struggle to protect the homeland's maritime sovereignty.
The Chairman also expressed gratitude to the leaders and soldiers of Navy Region 4 for their support, helping the delegation have a safe, complete, and emotional journey, with the spirit of all for beloved Truong Sa, for maritime sovereignty.
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| Green Vegetable Garden with a roof donated by the Hoang Sa-Truong Sa Club in Poland. (Photo: State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese) |
The visit to Truong Sa and DK-1 Platform is an annual activity organized by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese in coordination with the Navy Command since 2012. Over the years, the program has played an important role in propagating the Party and State's policies, while affirming that the overseas Vietnamese community is an inseparable part of the nation, playing an active role in the construction and defense of the homeland.
Such field trips not only help overseas Vietnamese better understand the efforts to protect maritime sovereignty and Vietnam's just stance in asserting sovereignty at sea, but also contribute to strengthening trust, raising awareness of responsibility, and fostering a spirit of connection to the homeland.
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| Flag-raising ceremony and parade on Truong Sa Island. (Photo: State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese) |
Overseas Vietnamese have also established forums and Hoang Sa-Truong Sa Clubs in many countries such as Poland, France, Republic of Korea, Singapore… to enhance research on measures and new inventions to improve the lives of officers and soldiers on the islands. This is also an important basis for overseas Vietnamese to continue participating in disseminating accurate information and countering false narratives about Vietnam's maritime issues.
After the voyage, many overseas Vietnamese delegates will continue to participate in the Hung Kings' Commemoration program organized by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese from April 24-26 in Phu Tho and Lang Son, continuing the journey towards the nation's roots.
