Truong Sa voyage strengthens overseas Vietnamese ties to the homeland

Moved and proud amid the homeland’s seas and skies

“Eleven years, three journeys, one eternal love. Returning from Truong Sa, my heart still beats in rhythm with the sea and with boundless gratitude…” said Ta Thuy Lien, an overseas Vietnamese living in Singapore, as she reflected on her journey as part of Delegation No. 10, which visited the Truong Sa archipelago this past April. This year’s delegation included 48 overseas Vietnamese from 22 countries, alongside representatives from domestic agencies, organisations and businesses.

Lien recalled that eleven years ago, she left Truong Sa carrying a small Barringtonia sapling. Eleven years later, that sapling has grown into a tall, resilient tree in the grounds of the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore.

What she realised upon returning to Truong Sa this time was not that she had carried a sapling far away, but that Truong Sa itself had planted within her an everlasting seed of faith in and love for the indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese nation.

For her, the trip was not merely a sea voyage, but a pilgrimage. Standing amid the vast expanse of sea and sky, breathing in the salty ocean air and gazing at the national flag fluttering against the deep blue horizon stirred her heart with pride. Singing the national anthem on Truong Sa Island was, she said, a profoundly solemn and sacred moment she would never forget.

“In everyday life, I often take peace for granted. Yet only when standing amid the harsh sun and winds of the open sea did I truly understand that every peaceful moment is paid for by the sweat, hardship and silent sacrifices of the island soldiers. I feel even greater gratitude towards the martyrs who gave their lives to safeguard the nation’s seas and islands, and I cherish even more the peaceful life I now enjoy.”

Having visited Truong Sa for the third time, Lien described it as a great blessing in her life.

“This voyage was more meaningful than ever because we carried with us a sense of purpose and expertise. I was accompanied by experts in sustainable technology and advanced materials. We came here not as visitors, but to affirm that geographical distance may be measured in nautical miles, yet responsibility towards the homeland knows no distance,” she said.

She and other overseas Vietnamese undertook practical activities aimed at greening Truong Sa. During the journey, they donated funds, electronic equipment and essential supplies to help improve the lives of officials, soldiers and residents on the islands and offshore platforms.

A profound sense of the meaning of “sacred”

“As a Vietnamese born and raised in Viet Nam, I had read and heard much about Truong Sa and Hoang Sa since childhood. While living in Germany, I also participated in activities supporting the homeland’s seas and islands. However, only when I actually set foot in Truong Sa did I truly grasp the full meaning of the word ‘sacred’ — a feeling far deeper and more genuine than I had ever imagined,” said Vuong Hong Tri, an overseas Vietnamese in Germany.

Speaking about his journey, Tri recalled three unforgettable moments.

The first was the memorial ceremony honouring the soldiers who fell while defending Gac Ma. In the stillness, amid the sound of crashing waves, the sight of flowers and paper cranes laid in memory of the 64 fallen soldiers moved the entire delegation deeply. Tears were shed, yet it was also the moment when he most clearly felt the spirit of national solidarity.

The second was standing on the DK1 platform, watching the red flag with its yellow star flying proudly over an endless expanse of sea. To him, the scene was not merely a magnificent seascape, but a symbol of resilience and determination. He gained a deeper understanding of the hardships and sacrifices endured by the officers and soldiers stationed at the nation’s maritime frontier.

The third was the farewell moment. Under the scorching sun, the soldiers, though visibly emotional, stood in disciplined formation, waving and singing patriotic songs. That simple yet powerful image embodied solidarity and faith in the future.

Upon returning to Germany, Tri said he wanted to share authentic stories about Truong Sa with international friends. In his view, providing accurate information about Viet Nam’s sovereignty over, and the natural beauty of, its seas and islands is essential to helping the world better understand the country.

He said he would continue working with members of the Viet Nam-Germany Innovation Network, as well as Vietnamese experts and entrepreneurs in Germany, to strengthen cooperation in science, technology and innovation between the two countries, thereby contributing to Viet Nam’s economic development.

“We will also continue seeking practical solutions to improve living conditions for officials, soldiers and residents on the islands,” he said.

Tri said that Viet Nam will always remain in the hearts of overseas Vietnamese, and that every Vietnamese person, wherever they may live, can contribute to the country’s development and the protection of its sovereignty.

A place preserving the Vietnamese soul

At nearly 60 years old and having lived through much in life, Tran Thi Tuyet Hong, an overseas Vietnamese living in Australia, never imagined that her journey to Truong Sa would move her so profoundly.

The sight of the first island emerging with its rows of green trees and red-tiled roofs filled her with deep emotion. It was the familiar image of a Vietnamese village appearing amid the vast ocean.

“When I set foot on the island, every step felt like touching a living page of history, where every inch of land and every windbreak tree bore the mark of resilience. The young soldiers, their skin bronzed by the sun and salt air, wore radiant smiles that deeply moved me,” she said.

Through conversations with officials, soldiers and island residents, she came to realise that Truong Sa is not merely a place that stands guard over the nation’s seas, but a place that preserves the soul of Viet Nam.

In the people she met, she saw extraordinary vitality amid harsh conditions; the unwavering determination of soldiers barely in their twenties; and the spirit of defending sovereignty expressed through their daily presence, through every watch shift, every construction project and every carefully protected flag. Sovereignty, for them, is not a slogan, but a responsibility and an expression of love for the nation.

“Returning to life in Australia, I want to tell the story of Truong Sa through an honest account of what I witnessed,” she said.

This is a Truong Sa that is not distant, but a home to people who live, serve and sacrifice in silence. Viet Nam safeguards its sovereignty through peace, compassion and steadfastness; each island and offshore platform stands as a symbol of patriotism and the nation’s aspiration for peace.

She added that after the trip, she felt a responsibility to share truthful portrayals of Viet Nam with international friends, bring overseas Vietnamese communities together in support of the nation’s seas and islands, and add her voice in solidarity with compatriots on distant islands who tirelessly protect the homeland.

From the reflections of these overseas Vietnamese, it is clear that Truong Sa is not merely a geographical location, but a living symbol of love for the homeland, of national will, and of the sacred bond uniting Vietnamese people wherever they may be.

The voyage to Truong Sa does not end when the ship returns to shore. Instead, it continues to resonate in the hearts of all who make the journey — as an enduring reminder of their roots, their responsibilities and their pride in being Vietnamese.