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"No matter who goes back and forth
Remembering the 10th Anniversary of the Monkey Market in March
My father taught me this saying since I was un literate. When I was young, for me, the concept of The Seaord was very vague. My father just said: "When I grow up, I will understand slowly". Every day on the 10th of the third lunar month, my family has a simple, worshiping meal. My father reminded me: "We must remember our ancestors".
Then when I grew up, step by step stepped up the ancient stone steps in Hung - Phu Tho Temple, read more about Lac Long Quan - Au Co, Hung kings, the story of banh chung, banh giay... then the concept of the Ancestor's Commemoration in me became deeper and wider. Until reading Nguyen Khoa Diem's famous lyrical section:
The country is where our people gather
Land is where the bird comes
Water is where the Dragon lives
Lac Long Quan and Au Co
Sorting our people in eggshelters
Those who have passed away
Who is now
Love each other and have a child
Carrying the portion left by the previous person
Advising children and grandchildren about tomorrow
Where to eat and what to do every year
I also know how to bow my head to remember the anniversary of the ancestors death.
My literary teacher, more than 40 years ago, when Binh returned to this famous poem, said briefly: “For many generations, Vietnamese people have always been deeply aware of preserving, inheriting and promoting the cultural traditions that his father left behind. The Vietnamese traditional Vietnamese soul remembers the death anniversary.
"Where to eat, where to do" is not only encapsulated in the beautiful Vietnamese land but also reminders of those who bring Vietnamese blood, love the country of Vietnam around the world to remember the country. There is an invisible string that connects Vietnamese hearts, the death anniversary, which is the source of the nation.
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I was enthusiastically told by a friend who is currently working and living in an Eastern European country about how the Vietnamese community has been excited and respectful in preparing for the Ancestor's Day? He said: The Ancestors Head is an invisible cultural bond connecting all Vietnamese people around the world. In a distant place, we organize the Ancestor's death anniversary as if we were present in front of Hung Temple".
Such holidays, although simple, have become a gathering place, a place to burn pride and also a place to sow Vietnamese cultural seeds for the second and third generations - those born and raised in foreign lands. During the Ancestor's Day, the two words "compatriots" became more sacred than ever. Organizing the Ancestor's death anniversary abroad is not simply a ceremony, but a profound manifestation of the spirit of great solidarity and patriotism beyond geographical space.
10 years ago, in 2015, the project "Vietnam National Day Global" has spread that spirit strongly. The death anniversary of Hung Vuong is an opportunity to look back at history with gratitude, but moreover, it is a moment to contemplate the future. In the context that the country is innovating, integrating and facing many challenges at home and abroad, the tradition of solidarity and morality "Drink water to remember the source" and national pride is the source of strength.
The Ancestor's Commemoration not only brings Vietnamese people together, but also spreads its value to international friends. Many Overseas Goal events have the participation of local authorities, international scholars, UNESCO organizations, and international friends who love Vietnam. Thereby, the image of Vietnam - a country with a long-standing, humane and rich culture - is further engraved in the international community.
That invisible fiber is actually an extremely tangible resource. That is patriotism in hearts far away, the connection of generations between grandparents - parents - children, and the belief in the future of the nation. That is what makes the soft power of the Vietnamese people: A small nation in area but rich in courage, not subdued, not far from the roots.
The Ancestor's Commemoration is an occasion for every Vietnamese person to "return", not only a geographical journey to Hung Temple, but a spiritual journey back to oneself. In the turbulent modern world, where people are sometimes caught up in material spirits and degradation, reminding each other to "remember the source when drinking water" is a precious spiritual medicine to keep the souls of Vietnamese people pure, grateful, and rich in love.
In August, 2024, when meeting the typical overseas Vietnamese delegate on the occasion of returning to the country to attend the overseas Vietnamese conference worldwide and the Intellectual and Vietnamese Expert Forum abroad in 2024, General Secretary To Lam affirmed: “For the country and people of Vietnam, the overseas Vietnamese community has always been an inseparable part of flesh and blood. The prosperous Vietnam of all Vietnamese blood. Uncle Ho once reminded: “The country is in need of the hands of all Vietnamese people, whether at home or abroad. Overseas people, let's join together to build a strong and strong Vietnam with the powers of the five continents. ”
Also at that meeting, General Secretary To Lam expressed his hope: I hope that with 6 million compatriots abroad, all are one, with the same faith, will, and efforts to realize the aspiration to build a strong, prosperous, and happy Vietnam. As Uncle Ho told overseas Vietnamese when he visited France in 1946: Every overseas Vietnamese must be an Ambassador of the People of Vietnam, competing to strive, contributing to the common cause of the whole nation.
I urge experts, intellectuals, Vietnamese scientists abroad, who have the fastest access to modern technology, advanced knowledge, continue to bring their intelligence, experience and knowledge to donate the plan to build and develop their homeland. Hopefully, the people will not only return to the country but also strongly promote the role of bridges carrying Vietnamese goods and brands around the world; Promote Vietnamese cultural identity, good traditions of our nation with international friends. I hope that in the coming time, there will be more "Tran Dai Nghia", "Luong Dinh's", "Tran Huu Tuoc" ... The new era joined hands to contribute to building the country ".
Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and transformation of the country has raised a breakthrough issue: "Promulgating a specific mechanism to attract Vietnamese people abroad and foreigners with high qualifications to Vietnam to work and live. Presentation "Domestic and foreign has the ability to organize, manage, command and implement key national tasks on science and technology, innovate, digital transformation, develop artificial intelligence and train human resources. Building, connecting and developing domestic and international expert networks, scientists".
Vietnamese people in the time of science and technology, the time of integration with the world now not only "king their head to remember the anniversary of the ancestors" but also transforming by actions, by making specific contributions to building and developing the country.
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The Ancestor's Day is not only a sacred spiritual and cultural ceremony, but also an opportunity for the entire nation to review the origin of building and defending the country, fostering the spirit of great solidarity and arousing love for the country.
The question is, whether the values of the death anniversary of the anniversary are one, when a part of young people now get intoxicated with trends, with trends, with idols on social networks? How to make the spirit of "drinking water remember the source" is not only a slogan but also a driving force, from learning, training to dedication? The answer lies in the way we "recount" the history of young people in the language of the times.
Many cultural and educational initiatives have shown clear effectiveness in bringing national history, including the values of the Ancestor's inheritance, closer to young people. Cartoons about Lac Long Quan - Au Co, photo books illustrating the 18 Hung Kings, Vietnamese language learning applications for Vietnamese children abroad, or cultural exchange programs in the overseas Vietnamese community are all practical efforts.
With today's younger generation, patriotism can start from preserving Vietnamese, sharing national culture with international friends, actively studying, innovating thinking, daring to create and devoted knowledge to the development of the country. The death anniversary is not just to bow to remember, but the opportunity for the younger generation to raise his head to look forward, following his father's step by writing the story of Vietnam in his own way.
It is not by chance that UNESCO recognizes the worship of Hung Vuong as a Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Because it is not just a ceremony, but a symbol of the perseverance of community memories, of the ability to connect the past - present - future. And to keep that heritage alive, young people need to carry it - as part of a cultural identity, as a promise to their ancestors, and as a commitment to future generations.
During the sacred Ancestor's Day, sit together to talk about traditional past values, the determination of the present and the aspirations for the future.
The origin of national unity is the fulcrum and foundation for the country to strongly advance.
