If before the Kieu bao only knew about Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) on the Vietnamese map, then during the trip they saw it with their own eyes, with many islands amid the vast sea.
Truong Kim Anh, former adviser for the US Department of Justice, was among those Kieu bao on the trip. “Participating in this trip, we are well aware that Truong Sa is always a part of Vietnam,” she said with emotion, saying she witnessed the lives of the residents and army men on the islands.
Journalist Nguyen Phuong Hung, 70 years old, from the United States, said it was his third visit to Truong Sa. An Editor-in-Chief of overseas radio station KBC, he showed great interest in the sovereignty over the islands and sea of Vietnam. At each stop, he took notes and pictures of the Kieu bao on the ship and their sentiments towards people living in the most dangerous part of the country.
Truong Kim Anh, former adviser for the US Department of Justice, was among those Kieu bao on the trip. “Participating in this trip, we are well aware that Truong Sa is always a part of Vietnam,” she said with emotion, saying she witnessed the lives of the residents and army men on the islands.
Journalist Nguyen Phuong Hung, 70 years old, from the United States, said it was his third visit to Truong Sa. An Editor-in-Chief of overseas radio station KBC, he showed great interest in the sovereignty over the islands and sea of Vietnam. At each stop, he took notes and pictures of the Kieu bao on the ship and their sentiments towards people living in the most dangerous part of the country.
 Ship KN-490 takes 80 overseas Vietnamese to visit Hoang Sa Islands and DK1 Oil Rig.  Motorboats take overseas Vietnamese from Ship KN-490 to Truong Sa Lon Island.  Soldiers at DK1 Oil Rig welcome visiting people.  Overseas Vietnamese attend the ceremony of saluting the national flag and reviewing troops on Son Ca Island. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  Overseas Vietnamese offer incense at a pagoda on Son Ca Island.  Overseas Vietnamese and soldiers sing together on Son Ca Island  Overseas Vietnamese, soldiers and residents on Son Ca Island sing the national anthem. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  A Vietnamese living in RoK wipes the sweat for a soldier on duty on Sinh Ton Island.  Soldiers on Truong Sa Lon Island present flowers to overseas Vietnamese performing in an artistic program.  Overseas Vietnamese use capital from “For beloved Truong Sa” fund to present CQ canoe Truong Sa soldiers.  Vietnam’s national flag made from 800 pieces of notepaper given by Vietnamese in Singapore is presented to Truong Sa Lon Island. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  An overseas Vietnamese asks for signatures of soldiers on islands she visits.  Tran Hai Linh, President of the Vietnamese Association in RoK, brings vegetable growing technology to Truong Sa Islands.  Overseas Vietnamese offer incense to pay homage to martyrs on Truong Sa Lon Island.  The ceremony commemorating fallen soldiers who died in action on the East Sea held on the KN-490 ship. Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  Overseas Vietnamese wearing T-shirts with the national flag pose for a photo with a national flag during the voyage to Truong Sa Island District (Khanh Hoa Province). Photo: Nguyen Luan/VNP  A soldier waves hand to bid farewell to overseas Vietnamese. |
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“The Vietnamese Party and State always consider 4.5 million overseas Vietnamese (Kieu bao) who are living far away from their homeland as an integral part of the Vietnamese nation. In the fight to protect the country’s sovereignty, each Kieu bao works as an ambassador and envoy who would win the trust and understanding of their international friends in supporting the just cause of the Vietnamese people and army at home”.
(Le Thi Thu Hang, Acting Head of the Culture-Information Department, Vietnam State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs) |
Participants on the trip attended a ceremony to commemorate those who died in Gac Ma Island, and soldiers who died on the DK1 oil rig. Meetings and talks with the islanders and soldiers, who were as young as their sons and nephews, but entrusted with a heavy and sacred duty, also made deep impressions on the visitors.
The 11-day trip to Truong Sa islands, including 14 stops on the islands and the DK1 oil rig, also left deep impressions on the visitors, with both their pride and admiration. Bui Ban and his wife Nguyen Thi Thu, who are Vietnamese American, took long videos and many photos during their trip. They said that when back home in New Caledonia, they would make a movie and show it to their Vietnamese-originated friends. “When back home in New Caledonia, we will talk about our trip to the President of the local Vietnam Friendship Association and people, who actually know little of the islands and sea here. Doing this we hope they will understand more about the issue and contribute more to the cause of protecting Vietnam’s sovereignty over its islands and sea,” said Thu.
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“I cannot believe that sites on Truong Sa Islands look like nice towns on the mainland with old trees. The greenness amid the vast sea manifests the fact that we love peace. It also demonstrates the aspiration of each Vietnamese living here”. |
Story: Hua Chung - Photos: Nguyen Luan
