The Vietnamese youth delegation has just spent unforgettable days visiting and working in Sri Lanka. This place has taken us from one surprise to another.
Surprise at the airport
When I received the information that we were the first Vietnamese youth delegation in history to visit and work in Sri Lanka (at the invitation of the Sri Lanka Youth Federation), I was a bit surprised and a little worried, because this is a country that experienced terrorism in 2019 and "bankruptcy" in 2022. However, knowing that this was a rare trip, the whole group was still excited to set off.
Because there was no direct flight, our delegation of 7 people (led by Mr. Tran Van Dong, Member of the Central Standing Committee of the Youth Union, Permanent Deputy Head of the Central Inspection Committee of the Youth Union, Head of the Central Inspection Committee of the Youth Union) had to transit at the Thai airport for about 9 hours, then fly to Sri Lanka on a flight taking off at 9:00 p.m. on April 1.
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| The Vietnamese youth delegation was warmly welcomed at Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
When the plane landed at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo, Sri Lanka, it was 0:00 local time and in Vietnam it was around 1:30 a.m. on April 2. Mr. Nguyen Hieu Trung (Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, Chairman of the Vietnam Youth Union of Dong Nai Province) said: "We are going back in time to set foot in Colombo".
Seeing that the journey was long and the transit time was long, the group had decided to wear casual clothes (not the green youth uniform) on the first day, to suit the situation. We also thought that arriving in your country at that time, you probably only sent a car to pick us up at our accommodation, so no one "took care" of our appearance. After a long wait and travel, almost everyone was tired and still sleepy.
When we got off the plane, we saw a group of about 10 people, including a cameraman and a photographer, waiting for us (I later learned that they were reporters from the Sri Lankan government's media agency). They were dressed very politely, each holding a lotus in their hands and respectfully presenting it to us.
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| Mr. Samantha Udaya Kumara Gamage, Executive Chairman of the All Sri Lanka Youth Federation, presented flowers to Mr. Tran Van Dong. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
"Lotus! The flower of Vietnam is always respected as the national flower, why is it present in this island nation?", I wondered strangely. Then I learned that the lotus is the national flower of Sri Lanka. Not only did they give us flowers, they also gave us each a gift bag and every action was solemnly photographed and recorded.
Oh dear! We were really embarrassed because we were not prepared for this situation. However, their kindness also made us feel less guilty about our casual dress. The guy who gave me flowers and gifts had a handsome and friendly face (later I found out that he was Mr. Buddikha, Press Secretary of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka). Then he did not hesitate to help me pull my suitcase, and the rest of the group was helped in the same way.
The head of the delegation from the neighboring country surprised us even more when he was a member of the Central Committee of the United People's Front (MEP) Party and the Executive Chairman of the All Sri Lanka Youth Federation. Mr. Samantha Udaya Kumara Gamage also did not hesitate to help carry our belongings to our room.
Betel leaves and harmony
When we got to our room and opened the gift bag, we felt warm inside because there were some lovely packages of cookies. "It seems like you were afraid of being hungry after a night of traveling," Huynh Thi Cam Hong (Secretary of the My Xuyen District Youth Union, Soc Trang Province) delicately explained about this interesting gift. The place we stayed was the National Youth Service Center, under the Ministry of Home Affairs of Sri Lanka. The room was compact, ensuring enough personal belongings for each person, and that was the best thing you gave us.
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| A traditional musical instrument performance troupe welcomed our delegation to the conference room. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
That morning, there was a meeting between the Vietnamese Youth Delegation and the Sri Lankan Youth Federation. We were again surprised by the solemn welcome of our friends. A group of traditional musical instruments welcomed us to the meeting room. They performed as they walked, with the sound of drums and the lively Sri Lankan dance. What was even more surprising was that each of them held a bundle of betel leaves in their hands and gave them to us.
I suddenly thought of the traditional Vietnamese custom with the saying: "A piece of betel leaves begins a conversation". Could it be that they have learned and acted according to Vietnamese culture?
However, not only Vietnam uses betel leaves to invite each other, but in this distant country with people of completely different ethnicities, they also use betel leaves to open up feelings, making people closer and more open to each other.
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| Mr. Damitha, Head of the International Section of the All Sri Lanka Youth Federation, shares the significance of the Sri Lankan tradition of giving betel leaves. (Photo: Vu Tho) |
"Betel leaves have many uses and we use them as medicine. Sri Lankans also chew betel, so we often give betel leaves as a wish for good health to those we respect," explained Damitha, Head of the International Committee of the Sri Lanka Youth Federation.
The lotus flower and betel leaf made me feel the similarities between the people of Vietnam and Sri Lanka, which are more than 7,000 km apart. At this meeting, the activities of the Sri Lanka Youth Federation also had many similarities with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Vietnam Youth Federation.
I realize that, no matter what country, youth organizations are very important to promote youth strength in building and defending the Fatherland.
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| Sri Lankan youths take photos with Vietnamese youth delegates during the cultural exchange night between the two countries' youths. (Photo: Vu Tho) |
That same night, the All Sri Lanka Youth Federation continued to leave a deep impression on us with a traditional Sri Lankan folk performance. In particular, at the end of the program, the red flag with yellow star of Vietnam fluttered on the stage and the Tien Quan Ca song resounded, we saluted the flag together with our friends to the sacred national anthems of the two countries.
The place where Uncle Ho's footprints are imprinted
We were very moved and proud to visit the Ho Chi Minh President Monument and the Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh Space right in the heart of Colombo. This is the first foreign leader monument built in a public area of this island nation.
Here, we witnessed the love of the Sri Lankan people for Vietnam and Uncle Ho. There are many books about Uncle Ho translated into the local language and photos of Uncle Ho's journey to find a way to save the country are also present in the space of the Colombo Capital Library.
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| Vietnamese youth delegation, leaders of the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Youth Federation at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
We have learned that in the early days of his journey to find a way to save the country, President Ho Chi Minh first came to Sri Lanka on June 14, 1911. Later, he came to Sri Lanka twice. He and the national hero of Sri Lanka, Hon.
Philip Gunawardena spent his years in France, fighting tirelessly against imperialism, for national independence, for freedom and happiness of the people of all Asia, including Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
Vietnam gained independence in 1945, Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. The people of the two countries have supported each other throughout history. During the years of Vietnam's resistance against the US, Sri Lankan people demonstrated in the capital Colombo to support this struggle.
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| Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh space at Colombo Capital Library. (Photo: Vu Tho) |
Coming to Sri Lanka, following in Uncle Ho's footsteps, we have a deeper understanding of his pure international spirit. Here, we feel like we have returned to our roots, to better understand the history of our nation in the international relations that Uncle Ho laid the foundation for. The country and people of Sri Lanka are no longer strange to us.
Unexpected Encounters
The Vietnamese youth delegation visiting and working in Sri Lanka had very meaningful meetings with party leaders and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
In addition to meeting and greeting two vice presidents of the United People's Front (MEP) of Sri Lanka according to the pre-arranged program, we were invited to meet with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka.
It seemed that those meetings were a great honor for the Vietnamese Youth Delegation, but on the 5th day, the last working day of the delegation, there was an impressive meeting with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
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| Sri Lankan Prime Minister presents gift to head of Vietnamese youth delegation at meeting. (Photo: Vu Tho) |
That day, we were taken by the Sri Lanka Youth Federation to visit and worship the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) located in Kandy city, central Sri Lanka, more than 120km from the capital Colombo. This was also the day the Sri Lankan Prime Minister and his family came to make offerings at the temple, on the occasion of the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year of Sri Lanka.
We thought we would only see the Sri Lankan Prime Minister and pay him a courtesy call. However, unexpectedly, in this cultural space, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena spent a lot of time with us to chat and exchange cultures.
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| The head of the Vietnamese youth delegation performed an offering ceremony at the temple with the family of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister. (Photo: Vu Tho) |
Immediately after the conversation, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka invited us to join his family in a temple offering ceremony. We were allowed to enter the palace to worship the Buddha's tooth relic, the national treasure of Sri Lanka.
In particular, he personally offered the Prime Minister's family's offerings and food to the monks in the temple. In Sri Lanka, Buddhism is considered the national religion with more than 70% of the population following Buddhism. Here, monks have a high position in society and are always respected the most.
The charm of nature
During our days in Colombo, our impression when walking on many streets of the capital of Sri Lanka was the peaceful and clean space. There were no cleaners on the streets but also no garbage. The small pretty houses were surrounded by fences of green trees, beautiful and peaceful.
Visiting Kandy city, we felt like we were living in the forest, because there were countless ancient trees and birds. The place we stayed was an ancient building, designed like a castle, which seemed to have been reserved for kings to rest, because this island nation was a British colony in 1815 under the name of Ceylon. The house faced a vast, green space.
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| The building where the Vietnamese Youth Delegation stayed overnight in Kandy city. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
Although there are almost no amenities here, because the furniture seems to be only old-fashioned items, in return, we live in a wild and poetic natural space.
In the hot and humid tropical weather, after experiencing hot and uncomfortable days in the capital Colombo, when we arrived here, we felt like we were "bathing" in the fresh air and wind. In the morning when we opened the door, everyone was surprised to see monkeys dancing right in front of us, and birds chirping.
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| Peaceful scene in Kandy city. (Photo: Vu Tho) |
When we walked on the street, the most impressive image for us was flocks of birds flying down to us. On the green trees, there were nests everywhere, just by reaching out, we could touch the baby birds.
Not far from where we stayed was the vast campus of Peradeniya University with its endless green lawns and fairy-tale-like green forests. It was just a pity that our group could not stop to "check-in".
But that might be the charm and one of the reasons why we want to come back to this place again and again.
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| The world-famous Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is located in the city of Kandy. (Photo: Vu Tho) |
Unforgettable impression
During our trip to Sri Lanka, we were able to dispel any concerns about security and economic instability. We always felt the friendliness of the Sri Lankan people, from the female customs officer at the immigration office, to the warmth of the people on the streets.
Whenever we wanted to take pictures, they were willing to pose for us and even asked for souvenir photos via AirDrop.
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| The friendliness and hospitality of young people at the dining area of the National Youth Service Center of Sri Lanka. (Photo: Vu Tho) |
After the difficulties caused by terrorism in 2019 and the Covid-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka fell into debt and had to declare bankruptcy in 2022. Since the beginning of 2023, the situation in Sri Lanka has been more stable and there are positive signs of macroeconomic recovery.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe played a role in bringing stability to Sri Lanka, gradually leading the country out of crisis, stability and development.
Having lived and worked in Sri Lanka for many years, Ambassador Ho Thi Thanh Truc said that the Sri Lankan people are gentle, love nature and are highly aware of preserving the green, clean and beautiful environment. They are open, hospitable, always smiling and friendly towards guests, ready to help and give enthusiastic guidance to tourists.
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| Sri Lankan people excitedly took photos with Vietnamese youth delegates. |
Since 2023, the number of tourists to Sri Lanka has been increasing, especially European tourists. According to statistics, the number of tourists to Sri Lanka in the first 3 months of 2024 was over 600,000 people (about 1.5 million people in the whole year of 2023).
While in 2022, some governments issued warnings about the economic and security situation in Sri Lanka, advising their citizens not to travel to this country, such warnings have now been lifted.
We feel the hospitality more clearly that even though you are having difficulties, you still always give the best conditions to the Vietnamese Youth Delegation. They even give way to foreigners during meals.
Ms. Thanh Truc shared: "Giving way is a very precious virtue of the people here. It can be seen that despite the hot weather, everyone lines up in an orderly manner (to shop, enter the door, etc.), there is no jostling, pushing, or noise."
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| Ms. Ho Thi Thanh Truc (4th from left) met with the Vietnamese Youth Delegation at the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The unforgettable impression was that accompanying us day and night were Mr. Samantha Udaya Kumara Gamage, MEP, Executive Chairman of the All Sri Lanka Youth Federation, and two secretaries to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr. Buddikha, Press Secretary, Mr. Samitha, Public Relations Secretary, and members of the All Sri Lanka Youth Federation. They took care of us like their own family.
During this journey, the delegation had a lot of laughter with the "quality" interpretation of Mr. Tran Dinh Tuan (specialist of the International Department of the Central Youth Union), with rich language and occasional jokes, making the Sri Lankan friends laugh heartily.
Head of delegation Tran Van Dong was very open and friendly, along with the harmony of the Vietnamese youth delegates, making the Sri Lankan friends always feel full of love.
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| The delegates from other countries were very excited to wear the Youth Union badge and scarves presented by the Vietnam Youth Union. (Photo: Vu Tho) |
When we parted, they reluctantly saw us off to the airport. Mr. Samantha Udaya Kumara Gamage and Mr. Tran Van Dong hugged each other tightly.
Mr. Buddikha exclaimed: "We are a family!", and Mr. Samitha shouted: "Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh", as we sang the song "As if there was Uncle Ho" on the day of great victory .
To have meaningful meetings in Sri Lanka, we received very effective and dedicated connections from the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Sri Lanka Ho Thi Thanh Truc. Ms. Ho Thi Thanh Truc said that Sri Lanka is a multi-party country, but all parties love Vietnam, because the people of the two countries have a good traditional relationship, which was founded by President Ho Chi Minh. According to Ms. Ho Thi Thanh Truc, this visit and working session of the Vietnamese youth delegation is an opportunity to promote the value of "Vietnamese Generation", rekindling good memories of friendly relations, always supporting and helping each other in the struggle for independence as well as building and developing the country today. Ms. Ho Thi Thanh Truc emphasized: "The visit increases cohesion, creates a social foundation, and contributes to bringing the good traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka to a new level of development." |
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