Journey of Gratitude 2022: Traveling Across Vietnam - Extending the Nation

A unique collaboration between humanities students from both North and South Vietnam.

The "Journey of Gratitude" has been organized since 2016, and 2022 marked the first year of collaboration between three clubs from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Northern delegation, organized and participated in by delegates from the "Forever 20" Club and the "Flame of Youth" Club of the Youth Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, departed from Hanoi. The delegation carried out one volunteer program in Nghe An and other acts of gratitude along the way. The Southern delegation, organized by the Propaganda Department of Ho Chi Minh City and the Youth Union of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, departed from Ho Chi Minh City. The delegation carried out one charitable program in the Central Highlands and other acts of gratitude along the way.

The two delegations will meet in Quang Tri town to carry out a charitable program there and pay respects at martyrs' cemeteries (Truong Son Martyrs' Cemetery, Highway 9 Martyrs' Cemetery, etc.) and historical sites (Hien Luong Bridge, Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, Bodhi School, etc.).
 

Offering incense at the Vietnam-Laos International Martyrs Cemetery (Anh Son, Nghe An)
 

 

Offering incense at Truong Son National Martyrs' Cemetery, home to over 10,000 martyrs' graves.

We respectfully bow our heads before the spirits of the sisters - the outstanding daughters of our heroic nation - at the Dong Loc Crossroads historical site.

During this special journey, the delegation carried out many meaningful activities: Visiting, giving gifts, and engaging in cultural exchanges in several disadvantaged localities in the mountainous provinces of Central Vietnam, targeting veterans, relatives of martyrs, meritorious individuals, disadvantaged children, and border guards in particularly difficult border areas. In addition, they paid tribute to and visited historical sites and martyrs' cemeteries along the route. The delegation's itinerary mainly covered the central provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Hue, and especially Quang Tri.

On the afternoon of July 18th, the delegation from Forever 20, accompanied by the Youthful Flame Club, visited and presented gifts to families of war veterans and disabled soldiers in commemoration of War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

The Bus of Passionate Hearts

Throughout their 5-day, 4-night journey across the country, visiting many historical sites, the students from both regions shared many meaningful activities and unforgettable memories; they found common ground among passionate souls, feeling as if they had known each other for a long time even though they had only met a few days earlier. As Tran Hong Dung, the Permanent Vice President of the "Forever 20" Club, often shared with the students: "A meaningful youth is one that is useful, responsible, honored, loved, helpful, and sharing with others."
As a second-year student, Bui Thi Huyen Mai (K66 Public Relations) shared her feelings about participating for the first time: “I was very impressed with the seniors and fellow volunteers this year. Everyone knew how to handle tasks flexibly. This included creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere on the bus along the way, as well as fulfilling assigned tasks during the volunteer trip. Many meaningful and touching activities took place, leaving a deep impression on me. I will have to learn a lot from everyone to do even better on future trips.”
 

The activities throughout the journey have ignited in the hearts of the younger generation a flame of gratitude, appreciating the sacrifices of their ancestors to achieve the peace, independence, and freedom we enjoy today, and spreading humanitarian values ​​to the community. After these trips, young people will further cherish their current peaceful and prosperous lives, and strive to study and work hard to be worthy of those sacrifices.