Wherever you are, always turn towards the Fatherland

80 years after independence, young Vietnamese people around the world are quietly sowing such “seeds” – asserting themselves in foreign lands, connecting with communities and nurturing the desire to contribute to the Fatherland.

Wherever you are, always turn towards the Fatherland -0 — These days, compatriots at home and abroad have many meaningful activities to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day September 2. Photo: Hanoi streets are bright with flags and flowers to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2.

Affirming Vietnam on the academic map

In that general picture, there are people who started their journey to affirm Vietnamese knowledge with the question “Who am I?”. Professor Nguyen Nhat Nguyen is one of them. In 2012, he came to France with a full master’s scholarship, carrying with him doubts about the path he had chosen. 12 years later, he became the youngest Vietnamese scientist to be awarded the title of Professor by the French State – at the age of 35.

Now, as a lecturer at the Rouen Business School, part of the University of Rouen Normandie, what he is concerned about goes beyond the desire to assert himself, but the question: How to fill the gap in understanding about Vietnam in Western academia? “Vietnamese people must be the ones to tell the story of Vietnam. No one understands and conveys the values of Vietnam better than we do,” he said, further confiding what he has always been concerned about, that Vietnam is not a copy of any model, but has its own values and identity, and he wants Western friends to truly understand that.

From the lecture hall to research, he has chosen to pursue a strategic approach to culture and national branding, nurturing the desire to “package” the Vietnamese national brand – from cuisine, costumes, culture to language – to introduce to the world. “In addition, I always try to create conditions for Vietnamese students to study high-quality programs in France,” he said, adding that he also participated in the review of France’s prestigious Eiffel scholarship, creating opportunities for Vietnamese students who do not have economic conditions but are passionate about scientific research.

According to Professor Nguyen Nhat Nguyen, the most important thing for young Vietnamese intellectuals abroad is not to forget their roots. Integration does not mean dissolution, keeping roots means keeping one's own voice and direction. And whenever young Vietnamese people are skeptical about their path in a foreign land, they should always start from the fundamental question "who are we", so that they can proudly affirm: "I am Vietnamese".

Enhancing the status of the Vietnamese community in both "quantity" and "quality"

If Professor Nguyen Nhat Nguyen's journey was like a seed of Vietnamese knowledge sprouting in France, then in Japan, those seeds have been nurtured for many years, creating a widespread Vietnamese community ecosystem. Arriving in Japan in 2010, Dr. Nguyen Hong Son has witnessed the growth of the Vietnamese community, from individual groups to the second largest foreign community in Japan with about 600,000 people as it is today.

“Many overseas Vietnamese have gained high prestige, even playing an important role in some political and social activities in Japanese localities,” he shared. “When the number of overseas Vietnamese became large, we realized that it was time to focus more on depth and connection for sustainable community development,” he said. That was also the motivation that helped him and other overseas Vietnamese in Japan to found the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan under the guidance of the Vietnamese Embassy, where he was also the first-term Chairman. For him, the union was not established for management, but for people to connect and support each other, with the further goal of raising the voice and position of Vietnamese people, as well as bringing the Vietnamese community to participate more deeply, with better quality, and creating a wider influence right in Japanese localities.

Mr. Nguyen Hong Son, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan, talked with CAND Newspaper reporters.

Now, what worries him the most is the second and third generations – children with Vietnamese blood born and raised in Japan. He cherishes the idea of a “Vietnamese home” in the heart of Japan – where the Vietnamese language can resound every day, where children living far away from home can feel the taste of their homeland, and where Japanese friends can come anytime to understand the people, history and culture of Vietnam. “The two words ‘Fatherland’ are very sacred. What we are doing today is not only to fan the flame of Vietnamese spirit in Japan, but also to keep that flame burning and pass it on to future generations,” he said emotionally.

Mission to connect young Vietnamese intellectuals globally

From a seed of knowledge to strong communities - overseas Vietnamese, wherever they are, are striving to assert themselves, thereby affirming Vietnam's position, sowing more seeds of dedication. "Every success in a foreign land is also a seed, to bear sweet fruit for the homeland in the future" - for Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh, President of the Union of Vietnamese Youth and Students in Europe - love for the homeland is as pure as that. Coming to the Czech Republic in 1996 when she was only 13 years old, her responsibility to the country reminds her that "she is not a single individual, but also a part of the young Vietnamese community here".

Wherever you are, always turn towards the Fatherland -1 — Ms. Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh, Vice President of the Vietnam Network in Europe, President of the Union of Vietnamese Youth and Students in Europe, in the overseas Vietnamese delegation participating in the parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day.

Having had the opportunity to work in many countries, Ms. Linh realized that young Vietnamese people, wherever they are, are very talented, dynamic and full of ambition. However, the connection between them is still fragmented, lacking a common convergence point. That is what motivated the young girl and some like-minded brothers and sisters to build a common space - where Vietnamese intellectuals and students can meet, exchange knowledge, support each other and, more importantly, look towards the Fatherland. That is also the premise for her to found the Union of Vietnamese Youth and Student Associations in Europe, and at the same time participate in the Vietnam Innovation Network in Europe.

“Our love for the Fatherland is not only limited to emotions, but is also expressed through concrete actions. It is organizing major national holidays together, preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture to international friends. It is volunteering and sharing with our compatriots in times of difficulty. It is also an effort to introduce the image of a dynamic, modern and humane Vietnam to the place where we live. And above all, every young person considers studying and researching seriously as the most practical way to contribute wisdom to the homeland in the future,” she shared.

Under the bright red flag with yellow star, walking in the days when the Fatherland is extremely beautiful, three young intellectuals that I had the opportunity to talk to - Professor Nguyen Nhat Nguyen, President of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan Nguyen Hong Son, and President of the Union of Vietnamese Youth and Student Associations in Europe Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh - have returned to Vietnam, joining the flow of pride of the whole nation. In their eyes, in their stories, I clearly feel the passionate patriotism - which is also the message they want to send to all Vietnamese children around the world: "Wherever you are, always be proud of your roots. When we connect, spread knowledge and love for the Fatherland, no matter where we are in the world, our hearts still beat in unison with our motherland Vietnam".

Source: https://cand.com.vn/doi-song/du-noi-dau-cung-huong-ve-to-quoc-i780015/