RECAP: “VIETNAM’S HISTORICAL JOURNEY: A PILGRIMAGE FOR PEACE AND CONNECTION”

From February 4 to 9, Vcil Community and Jungto Youth co-organized the meaningful learning program "Pilgrimage to Vietnam: Journey Back in Time for Peace and Connection." The program took place in Central Vietnam, covering the provinces of Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Tri, and Hue, with the goal of fostering peace, strengthening relationships, and building international connections between Vietnam and South Korea.

The program provided a unique opportunity for members of Vcil Community, especially young participants from The Soil Project, to engage and exchange ideas with Jungto Youth members from South Korea. It also welcomed partners from Local Futures in Ladakh, India. Through shared experiences, open dialogues, and meaningful activities, participants cultivated mutual understanding, built harmony, and developed a deeply connected global community dedicated to creating a happier and more regenerative society.

Jungto Youth is a community of young people within Jungto Society, a group of engaged Buddhist practitioners committed to a simple, environmentally sustainable lifestyle and addressing social and environmental crises based on Buddhist principles and teachings.

Designed as a pilgrimage, the program was not just about learning but also about reflecting on history, connecting with the land, and seeking a profound understanding of the past to contribute to a more peaceful world.

This was not a conventional study program. Instead of passively absorbing theoretical knowledge, participants immersed themselves in the historical and cultural experiences of Vietnam and South Korea—two nations with significant historical and cultural parallels and strong economic ties. The journey was specifically designed for young Koreans visiting Vietnam, focusing on historical sites and places with special connections to Korea, helping participants gain deeper insights into the intertwined histories and cultures of both countries.

UNDERSTANDING VIETNAM AND SOUTH KOREA

The first day of the program helped participants gain a deeper understanding of the places and stories they were about to experience.

We began with an introduction to Vietnam’s historical and contemporary landscape, covering:

- A summary of Vietnam’s history, its struggles, the resilience of its people, and the impacts of war and colonization.

- An overview of Vietnam’s current socio-economic landscape, the challenges it faces, and its future development direction.

- The mission and vision of Vcil Community, which strives to build a new civilization focused on well-being and regeneration.

In addition to learning about Vietnam, participants also heard from Jungto Youth members about South Korea’s history, society, and the mission of Jungto Society.

These discussions were not one-sided lectures but open conversations. Participants were encouraged to ask questions, share concerns, and exchange perspectives. This interactive approach allowed for deeper connections, making learning a meaningful personal experience rather than passive information intake.

For many young Vietnamese participants, this was the first time they heard about the challenges South Koreans face—the darker side of rapid economic growth in just a few decades. We learned about South Korea’s highly competitive society, skyrocketing living costs, unaffordable housing, an aging population, political polarization, and the looming threat of war on the Korean Peninsula. This gave Vietnamese youth a more realistic view of South Korea beyond its media portrayal.

Likewise, Vietnamese participants shared the pressing challenges Vietnam is dealing with: climate change, an aging population, widening wealth gaps, and an economy heavily reliant on foreign direct investment (FDI). These discussions sparked deep, multidimensional dialogues, fostering a more nuanced understanding of both Vietnam and South Korea.

By the end of the first day, a shared foundation of historical awareness, national challenges, and collective visions was established. This prepared participants to embark on the journey with an open mind and a deeper sense of connection.

QUANG NAM, DA NANG, AND QUANG TRI: LEGACIES OF WAR

Over the next two days, we visited sites still bearing the painful scars of war—places where the wounds of the past remain visible. This was not just a tour of historical landmarks but an experience of feeling the weight of history, standing on land that witnessed tragedies, and reflecting on the costs of war.

Our journey began with visits to Phong Nhat, Phong Nhi, and Ha My in Quang Nam—sites of massacres carried out by South Korean troops in 1968. These places hold the memories of lost lives and devastated communities.

Walking into these sites, we did not just see the past through memorials and stories—we felt it, resonating in the grass, the homes, and the eyes of the survivors.

At these locations, we paid our respects by offering incense, laying flowers, and holding a moment of silence for those who perished. These quiet moments allowed each of us to deeply reflect on history, war, and its lasting consequences.

Our pilgrimage to war legacies continued in Da Nang at the Center for Victims of Agent Orange & Unfortunate Children. Established by the Da Nang Association for Victims of Agent Orange, the center cares for and supports those affected by Agent Orange—a chemical defoliant used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.

Here, we met individuals who, despite being in their 30s, had the cognitive abilities of preschool children. Ms. Thu, the deputy director, explained how dioxin has severely impacted the brains of those exposed and continues to affect future generations. The children at the center struggle with language and understanding simple questions.

When a Korean participant asked about their dreams, instead of responding directly, one child shared what they learned daily and from whom. Ms. Thu explained that questions about dreams were too complex for these children, suggesting instead to ask simpler questions about their daily lives.

Despite their disabilities, the children were playful, cheerful, and excited to have visitors. They danced, sang, and eagerly showed us around the center. Their joy, despite the hardships they faced, left a profound impact on us.

Many participants shared that this visit was one of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip.

Leaving Da Nang and Quang Nam, we continued to Quang Tri, the site of some of the fiercest battles during the war due to its strategic location as the dividing line between North and South Vietnam after the Geneva Accords.

Quang Tri witnessed intense combat, particularly the 81-day siege of Quang Tri Citadel in 1972, which played a key role in pushing the U.S. toward signing the Paris Peace Accords. Over 18,000 soldiers and 11,000 wounded warriors are honored here, with 72 cemeteries, including two national cemeteries where over 60,000 fallen heroes rest.

To pay tribute, we visited Quang Tri Citadel and Truong Son National Cemetery, where we offered flowers and incense.

Righ here, we have read the 'Prayers & Vows Expressed During the Great Requiem Ceremonies to Untie the Knots of Great Injustice' to pray for the souls of all those who suffered the consequences of war: '...to promise each other that we will not forget the painful lesson of the past now engraved on our hearts:

We vow that from now on, we will not let the country be separated again, not even once. From now on, when there are internal difficulties, we will not request the help of any foreign power to intervene with weapons and troops in our country. From now on, we will not start a war for any ideology. From now on, we will not use foreign weapons to kill each other. From now on, we will use our best efforts to build a society with real democracy, resolving all kinds of disagreements by peaceful democratic methods. We will not resort to violence against our fellow countrymen and countrywomen…'

Another stop on our journey was the Mine Action Visitor Center which is managed by RENEW Project. Here, we had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Phu, one of the staff members at the center, who shared insights about MAVC’s activities and the challenges Quang Tri faces in dealing with the aftermath of war. One of MAVC’s main responsibilities is managing the database of mine action activities, educating people on how to avoid landmines, and supporting demining efforts in Quang Tri to ensure public health and safety.

We learned that Quang Tri is the most landmine-contaminated province in Vietnam. With more than 81% of its land suspected of containing unexploded ordnance, it is estimated that it will take decades to fully address the devastating consequences of war. According to a report from the Vietnam National Mine Action Center (VNMAC) in 2018, more than 81% of the province’s total area remains suspected of explosive ordnance contamination.

Since the war ended, more than 8,500 people have been injured or killed by leftover landmines and explosives, accounting for 1.2% of the province’s population. Tragically, 31% of these victims were children. Additionally, Quang Tri has over 37,000 people with disabilities—6% of its population—including more than 9,000 victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, with some families suffering the effects across three generations. This reality shocked us. Many of us had assumed that once the war ended, peace and stability would naturally follow for the people of Vietnam. However, this journey made us realize how long and arduous that path truly is.

These stories left us with deep reflections and many questions about war. Regardless of its causes, civilians are always the ones most affected—not just during wartime but long after peace is declared. We also connected these lessons to ongoing armed conflicts around the world today. The devastating consequences of war are all too clear to us, and we each hold onto the hope that one day, the world will be free from war, violence, and suffering.

To send our wishes into the universe, we all sang Blowin’ in the Wind, a song written by Bob Dylan during the height of the Cold War and the Vietnam War. It is considered one of the greatest anti-war songs ever written. Through this song, we hoped to send a message of peace to the world, advocating for dialogue and non-violent conflict resolution, especially in a time when conflicts continue to erupt in various parts of the world.

After Mine Action Visitor Center, we continued our journey to the Vinh Moc Tunnels and Hien Luong Bridge at the Ben Hai River.

For our friends from Jungto Youth, walking across Hien Luong Bridge was perhaps one of the most emotional experiences of the trip. This bridge once marked the division of Vietnam following the Geneva Accords of 1954, a time when Vietnamese people were unable to move freely between the two regions. It bore witness to countless separations—parents torn apart from their children, siblings unable to reunite, families unable to hold each other’s hands. Yet now, 50 years after reunification, we were able to walk across that once-divided land freely, proudly, and with deep gratitude for the hard-won freedom that our ancestors fought for.

Unfortunately, our Korean friends do not share the same fortune. More than 70 years after the Korean Peninsula was divided, it remains split, with North and South Korea still technically at war, and the threat of armed conflict ever-present.

As they walked across Hien Luong Bridge, our Korean friends were deeply moved, expressing their hopes that one day their homeland might be reunified—or at the very least, that North and South Korea could establish a peaceful and cooperative relationship.

Here, we sang Người Mẹ Ô Lý (The Mother of Ô Lý), a song by renowned Vietnamese composer Trịnh Công Sơn, inspired by an elderly woman he met during the mass evacuation from Quang Tri to Hue during the "Red Summer" of 1972. With only 120 words and a slow, sorrowful melody, the song paints a vivid image of a grieving mother during wartime, capturing the collective suffering of a nation during one of its darkest periods. We also read the lyrics of Những Dòng Sông Chia Rẽ (Rivers That Divide), a song by composer Phạm Duy, which tells stories of separation and how rivers have silently witnessed so many farewells.

Through all of this, we felt an immense sense of gratitude for what has been passed down to us—the sacrifices of our ancestors, parents, and previous generations, who gave up their youth, dreams, and aspirations so that we could enjoy the precious independence and freedom that they themselves never had.

THE NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE MOVEMENT IN VIETNAM

Bidding farewell to the sacred sites of Quang Tri, we returned to Hue to explore another chapter of Vietnam’s history. While the previous days took us through historical sites that bore the scars of war—pain, division, hatred, and anger—on our final day, we visited Thiên Mụ Pagoda and Từ Hiếu Pagoda to learn about the nonviolent resistance movement led by the Buddhist community in the struggle for Vietnam’s independence and freedom.

We discussed the self-immolation of Venerable Thích Quảng Đức. His act of ultimate sacrifice in 1963 ignited the Buddhist movement, a peaceful yet powerful protest by monks, nuns, and laypeople against the oppression of Buddhism and Vietnamese people.

At the peak of the movement, when tensions seemed insurmountable, Venerable Thích Quảng Đức set himself aflame in an act of compassion and awakening. His undying heart became a symbol of resilience and illuminated the conscience of the world, dissolving hatred and inspiring change.

Without weapons, threats, or violence, Thích Quảng Đức offered his physical body to awaken the American public and the world to the senselessness of the Vietnam War. His self-immolation became a turning point in the struggle against oppression, paving the way for peace and religious freedom for the 20 million people of South Vietnam at that time.

We also took time to discuss the contributions of Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh in advocating for peace and ending the war in Vietnam. In particular, we explored the concept of Engaged Buddhism, a movement he pioneered to bring Buddhist teachings into practical efforts for social change.

At this stop, we sang Hãy Sống Giùm Tôi (Live For Me), a song by Trịnh Công Sơn written after the self-immolation of Nhất Chi Mai, a Buddhist nun who sacrificed herself for peace. We also read Lửa Đốt Em Tôi (The Fire That Burns My Brother), a poem written by Thích Nhất Hạnh in 1963 after the self-immolation of a young monk at Phuoc Duyen Pagoda. Additionally, we recited Dặn Dò (Words of Guidance), a poem in which Thầy (Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh) left instructions for future generations dedicated to the path of nonviolent resistance. Before her self-immolation, Nhất Chi Mai recorded herself reading this poem, leaving it behind along with farewell letters to her parents. To conclude our discussion at Từ Hiếu Pagoda, we sang Kẻ Thù Ta (Our Enemy), a song by Phạm Duy inspired by the poem Condemnation by Thích Nhất Hạnh.

As our bus departed Hue, marking the end of our journey, we all sang Imagine by John Lennon and Heal the World by Michael Jackson—songs that embodied our hope for peace, unity, and global cooperation.

Over the course of four days, across 14 historical and educational sites in four central provinces of Vietnam, the program Pilgrimage to Vietnam: Journey Back in Time for Peace and Connection imparted invaluable lessons and created meaningful connections for all participants. At each sacred site, we engaged deeply through songs, poetry, and prayers. This was not just a journey to understand history—it was an opportunity to reflect on ourselves, to transform our inner world, to challenge our own limitations, and to connect deeply with the places and people we encountered.

Through this program, we hope the messages of peace and cooperation will be spread, and that people will gain a better understanding of our country, Vietnam. Vcil Community would like to extend our gratitude to the local authorities and government in Quảng Nam and Đà Nẵng for their support in helping the pilgrimage group complete the journey successfully. Vcil Community also wishes to thank the individuals and organizations that have accompanied us on this journey. We are deeply grateful for the support from Mine Action Visitor Center, Drase Travel - Long Ma Tourism, the Center for the Protection of Victims of Agent Orange and Unfortunate Children in Da Nang City, for providing guidance, sharing information, and creating opportunities for us to have meaningful learning experiences.