Towards the 9th Representative Congress of the Vu – Vo Clan of Vietnam, term 2024 – 2029, let us reflect on the notable and outstanding events of the past term, including the event “Vu – Vo Under One Roof” – A meaningful and profound gathering.
On September 9-10, 2023, at Ba Vang Pagoda in Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh Province, the Vu – Vo Clan Council of Vietnam, in coordination with Ba Vang Pagoda, solemnly organized a meaningful event with the theme “Vu – Vo Under One Roof.” Thousands of delegates representing over 5 million people with the surname Vu – Vo from nearly 50 provinces and cities nationwide attended the event. Religious dignitaries and representatives from many large clans across the country also participated.
Overview of the event “Vu – Vo Under One Roof.”
The organizing committee initially planned to invite around 500 delegates, with a distribution of delegates for each province, limited to 10 people per unit. However, the actual number of attendees exceeded expectations, with some provinces sending 4-5 times the expected number. Delegations from places like Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Binh Phuoc, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Phu Yen, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, and others, despite being far away, had additional registrations. Delegations from Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Hoa Binh, and others even arranged several buses for delegates to attend. For nearby provinces like Hai Duong, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Thai Binh, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, and others, many people without invitations still attended because of the significance of the event for the Vu – Vo clan, “Vu – Vo Under One Roof.” Not only Vu – Vo clan members but also many people from other clans, both invited delegates and Buddhists from various provinces, attended in large numbers. The Ba Vang Pagoda’s main lecture hall, which had set two world records with a seating capacity of 15,000, was filled to capacity, and many others stood outside in the courtyard and lobby. This demonstrated how deeply the event, “Vu – Vo Under One Roof,” had been thoroughly planned and prepared for for months, by The Vu – Vo Clan Council’s Standing Committee, led by Prof. DSc. (People’s Teacher) Vu Minh Giang, Chairman of the Vu – Vo Clan Council, along with Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, Deputy Head of the International Buddhist Department, Deputy Head of the Vietnam Buddhist Association Communications Department, and Abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda.
Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, Abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda, presents congratulatory flowers.
The “Vu – Vo Under One Roof” event featured many activities, with the focus on honoring outstanding organizations and individuals in the areas of clan building and development, as well as promoting education and talent. Delegates were particularly impressed by the speeches of Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, Abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda, and Prof. DSc. (People’s Teacher) Vu Minh Giang, Chairman of the Vu – Vo Clan Council of Vietnam. Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh shared thoughts on ethnical, national, and clan issues, quoting ancient sayings and proverbs like “Cay co coi, nuoc co nguon” (A tree has roots, water has sources), “Nguoi co to co tong” (A person has an origin), “Mot giot mau dao hon ao nuoc la” (A drop of blood is worth more than a pool of water), and “Lam nguoi phai biet to tong/To tong khong co nhu song khong nguon” (To be a person, one must remember their ancestors). He emphasized that the people creates the country, a hundred families make up the people, the country has a soul of the country, the people has a soul of the people, the clan also has a soul of the clan, and the spirit of the Vu – Vo clan, he affirmed, lies in the quintessence of the Vu clan. He also noted that while some in the Vu – Vo clan might doubt their origins, they should understand that no matter their specific ancestor, they all carry the quintessence of the Vu clan, which has fostered values of kindness, wisdom, solidarity, love, care, sharing and resilience throughout thousands of years, contributing to the strength and humanity of Vietnam. Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh expressed his joy at the presence of thousands of Vu – Vo clan members and Buddhists attending the “Vu – Vo Under One Roof” event. The message the organizers wanted to send was one of unity, cooperation, and building a stronger clan to contribute to the prosperity of Vietnam.
Following Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh’s words, Prof. DSc. (People’s Teacher) Vu Minh Giang expressed strong agreement with his insightful speech, filled with clan pride and familial affection. He also expressed heartfelt thanks to Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, the monks, and the Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda for their collaboration in successfully organizing this grand event. Prof. DSc. (People’s Teacher) Vu Minh Giang affirmed that the Vu – Vo clan exemplifies the traditional characteristics of the Vietnamese people: unity, heroism, and a commitment to learning. Throughout history, the Vu – Vo clan has had distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to the country, bringing glory to their homeland and family.
Prof. DSc. (People’s Teacher) Vu Minh Giang, President of the Vu – Vo Clan Council of Vietnam, and Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh, Abbot of Ba Vang Pagoda, present the “Quintessence of the Vu clan” Certificate to individuals.
In the presence of thousands of delegates, the Vu – Vo clan solemnly honored three organizations and more than 30 individuals for their outstanding contributions in promoting education and talent, as well as for their work in building and developing the clan. Students and scholars who had achieved excellent results in the previous academic year were also recognized, as were exemplary businesspeople who had made notable contributions to clan activities.
The conference was attended by Mr. Tran Le Tan, Vice Chairman of the Tran Clan of Vietnam, and Lawyer Phan Hong Thuy, representing the Phan Clan of Vietnam, both of whom expressed their respect for the Vu – Vo clan. Particularly noteworthy was the speech of Dr. Nguyen Hong Son, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Promotion of Education, who recognized and commended the Vu – Vo clan’s remarkable achievements in education and talent promotion. He hoped that this model would be spread and replicated across other clans and regions nationwide. Conference delegates and guests all expressed joy and excitement when participating in the program.
Delegates of the Vu – Vo Clan offer incense to the Three Jewels.
The “Vu – Vo Under One Roof” program ended in a warm, friendly atmosphere, filled with unforgettable moments and emotions. There were tight handshakes, long embraces, and heartfelt farewells, as people returned to their homes from all corners of the beloved homeland. Thanks were extended to Venerable Thich Truc Thai Minh and the monks and Buddhists of Ba Vang Pagoda for providing an opportunity for the Vu – Vo clan members across the country to meet, connect, and experience the deep bond of kinship.
VU HONG DUONG
Head of Communications, Vu-Vo Clan Council of Vietnam
