The Global Vietnamese Records Organization (VietWorld) awarded the VietWorld Record certificate to the Consulate General of Vietnam in Fukuoka and the Association of Vietnamese People in Fukuoka (AVF).

Festival with meaningful activities

I arrived early with the brothers and sisters in the Organizing Committee to take care of the preparations for the Festival. In the early autumn morning of Fukuoka, the weather was chilly, the Catholic Academy Stadium was surrounded by rows of trees that had turned yellow and red - the romantic characteristics of autumn in Japan. From 7:30 am, we started the qualifying round for the 2nd Kyushu Cup Football Tournament within the framework of the Sports Festival. Besides, we also hurriedly prepared the booth to receive red flag shirts with yellow stars and hats, waiting for the moment when everyone gathered.

This is the first time the National Great Unity Day has been solemnly and on a large scale in the Vietnamese community abroad, so for us, although we are somewhat worried, we are also filled with excitement and anticipation. In particular, the program is organized by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Fukuoka in collaboration with the Vietnamese non-profit organization (NPO) in Fukuoka, with the theme "Great Unity - Integration - Development - Spreading Identity". Therefore, this is not only an opportunity for associations to exchange and learn from each other, but also a valuable opportunity to promote the rich Vietnamese cultural identity to international friends. We want to show the world that the Vietnamese people, wherever they are, are always a strong, united and proud community.

Red flag shirts with yellow stars

At 10:00 a.m., when the work of distributing shirts and guiding people to the gathering place was almost completed, the Organizing Committee also began to adjust the formation and disseminate information on how to get there. Today, we will set a record for "Forming the Vietnamese national flag abroad with the largest number of participants". Many people came to participate, including working people, interns, international students... Among them, there is a very special and valuable group. That is the children. Although they were born and raised in Japan, thanks to the nurturing of their parents, they were taught Vietnamese language and culture from a young age, from which they planted in their hearts the seeds of love for their homeland. The image of children wearing red shirts with yellow stars running and jumping on the field is truly the most vivid proof of the continuation of Vietnamese culture abroad.

At 11 o’clock, the flag was completed, with 960 people participating. We sang the National Anthem together, a song that everyone knew by heart but had not been sung together for a long time in a special event like today. I saw tears rolling down someone’s face, and I felt my heart choke up. It was a very emotional and sacred moment.

The Great National Unity Day in the Vietnamese community abroad was held for the first time on a large scale with diverse activities, taking place on November 16, 2025 in Fukuoka, Japan.

When joys are shared

After setting the record, we took a lunch break and organized a cozy camping trip right on campus. Today, there were also Vietnamese food stalls, such as sandwiches, pho, grilled pork vermicelli... The aroma of familiar dishes wafted in the air, soothing the homesickness. Here, we had the opportunity to chat with many friends, and learned that some of our friends from far away had to wake up early at 4-5 am to participate on time.

In the afternoon, we returned to the main activities. The Sports Festival area suddenly became bustling and jubilant. Games such as skipping rope, shuttlecock kicking, and chess took place in parallel. The most fun was the tug of war, with enthusiastic participation from all ages, from children to adults. The hearty laughter mixed with cheers created a bustling, energetic atmosphere. Everyone played with all their might, forgetting their age and position. There was a time when, because of being too enthusiastic, the tug of war rope almost broke, forcing the Organizing Committee to quickly find another, stronger rope to continue the fun. Then there was a time when, because of being too excited, the entire referee team also enthusiastically joined in to help pull the rope. Later, that story became a funny "anecdote" of the Festival, especially when the ladies on the losing team were happy because they thought the Organizing Committee had... stepped in to pull the rope for the other team to win! These funny situations are the material that binds us together, our precious shared memories.

Vietnamese children also have their own festival filled with interesting folk games such as pot smashing, throwing balls, and can throwing. On the gentle slope near the campsite, many children are engrossed in grass sliding. They slide over and over again, trying different positions, to the point that sometimes their parents are worried that they will fall. One of my sisters jokingly calls them “thunder gods”, because she has two children and knows that raising these children is difficult in every way, especially at this age of growing up, they are very active. But also because at this age, their souls are like a blank sheet of paper, easily receiving and preserving the most beautiful images. Organizing cultural activities and teaching Vietnamese is the way we nurture and instill in them a love for their homeland, so that they know that they always have a brilliant and beloved Fatherland behind them.

In the late afternoon, we held the award ceremony for the first, second, and third place teams in the Kyushu Cup soccer tournament, as well as the sepak takraw and Chinese chess competitions. After the awards were given to the winners, the festival came to an end. We started cleaning up, collecting trash, and returning home after a long day. Many people still had regrets, not wanting to leave that warm and laughter-filled atmosphere.

960 Vietnamese people in Kyushu participate in the activity of forming the Vietnamese national flag

“The flag we created today is not only a symbol of Vietnam, but also a symbol of solidarity, pride and community strength.” The speech of Mr. Nguyen Duy Anh, Head of the Organizing Committee, was like a reminder to everyone present that day to be aware of the need to help others. The festival ended, but the flame of Great Unity still burns forever in the hearts of every Vietnamese person in Kyushu.

Hai Thanh

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/ngay-hoi-dai-doan-ket-cua-nguoi-viet-tai-kyushu-160395.html