Truong Sa Archipelago: Rendezvous of Overseas Vietnamese

The overseas Vietnamese delegation prepares to board the Truong Sa 571 ship to visit Truong Sa and the DK1 rig.

6 years of waiting for Truong Sa

Born and raised in France, Vuong Huu Nghia, an electronic engineer, always wished to once set foot in Truong Sa (Spratly). Over the years, he read a lot of books and documents, participated in film screenings, and seminars, and listened to journalists and filmmakers tell stories about Truong Sa. Every time the Vietnamese Embassy in France announced the journey to Truong Sa, he registered immediately. After 6 years of waiting, his wish came true.

“When I was approved by the Vietnamese Embassy in France, I was surprised. I don’t believe my long-cherished dream has come true. It’s hard to describe my feelings, I can only say that I have returned,” Nghia said.

Vo Thi Dien, overseas Vietnamese in Germany, decided to put aside all work to return home to join the trip to Truong Sa. Before returning home, Dien almost stayed up all night because of nervousness and excitement.

“Just thinking about the image of Truong Sa officers and soldiers makes me unable to sleep. I always look at my watch, just waiting to get on the ship,” Dien said.

All 47 overseas Vietnamese have moods ranging from nervousness to excitement, and pride. However, they shared the same wish for a shorter voyage to actually set foot on Truong Sa (Spratly).

Connecting overseas Vietnamese

The sound of the loudspeaker of ship 571 woke up Nguyen Anh Tu, an overseas Vietnamese in Hungary. Room C11, about 15m2 with 4 bunk beds, suddenly burst with laughter. Tu recalled living in his student dormitory. However, the most special thing is living according to the regulations of the army.

Since setting foot on the ship, without an order, all members became part of the crew. They went to bed, woke up at the same time, ate together and talked about everything in life, especially about Truong Sa.

“We are living in different country, having distinctive life. We caught up with each other’s lifestyles quickly and started getting close. We told each other about life and work, and then our thoughts about Truong Sa,” Tu said.

Overseas Vietnamese assist soldiers on the Truong Sa 571 ship.

Moments later, a group of singers and lecturers at the National University of Art Education came to help. The whole area was filled with laughter and talking. Inside the dining room, a group of overseas Vietnamese sat down to slice meat, help with the vegetables, divide food into trays to help the soldiers.

In the cockpit of the ship, overseas Vietnamese and members of the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises folded paper cranes to prepare for a ceremony commemorating the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands. Journalist Etcetera Nguyen, overseas Vietnamese in the United States, drew portraits for naval officers, soldiers, and overseas Vietnamese.

They folded paper cranes to prepare for a ceremony.

In area D, room D8 of Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh, a Polish expatriate, people practiced singing to prepare for evening performances.

Help the soldiers prepare meals for the group.

After a morning at the sea, the loudspeaker announced it was lunch time, everyone returned to their rooms. In a cramped space of 2m2, 8 people sat together with two trays of rice. There are vegetables, fish, meat, soup, pickles. People took pictures of the meal on the ship.

In the evening, on the deck of the ship, songs about the sea, islands and soldiers were sung by amateur singers to the enthusiastic applause of everyone.

The night performance by overeas Vietnamese.

On this voyage, there was an expatriate from Thailand, Hoang Thi Lai. Although 69 years old, she still participated in all activities of the group. She sang songs praising her homeland.

“We were together like that, going through long nights at sea. On starry nights, we sat on the deck, singing soldiers’ songs. In cultural performances, learning about the sea and islands, we put our arms around each other, raised the red flag with the yellow star, shared our love for the country and the sea and islands,” Hoang Thi Lai said.

On 7 days of crossing the sea, love of the sea and islands, of the homeland is the glue that binds each Vietnamese person. Whether living in the country or abroad, whether naval soldier, police or businessmen, they always look to the Fatherland on the great solidarity ship heading to Truong Sa.

Rosie Nguyen

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