VietNamNet Bridge - Many people who are believed to have opposing opinions are invited to join a delegation of overseas Vietnamese to Truong Sa Islands (Spratlys) at the end of April.

Overseas Vietnamese planted trees on Song Tu Tay Island in 2010.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son says the third visit to Truong Sa of overseas Vietnamese is scheduled on April 16-28.

The delegation will consist of 70 people, including a number of overseas Vietnamese who are returning home for the first time, and some who are believed to have opinions opposing the Vietnamese government.

"We have invited a number of journalists who have an extremist ideology to Truong Sa to let them see what we are doing," Son says.

According to Son, in March, a Vietnamese delegation visited some large American states such as New York, Texas, and California, to meet with those who have opposing opinions. "We met with extremists to find the same voice to eliminate hatred," the Deputy Minister says.

During the visit to Truong Sa, overseas Vietnamese will attend a requiem for the souls of the soldiers of the People's Army of Vietnam, and the Republic of Vietnam’s Army who died defending Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands. The requiem will be held with Buddhist rituals and the rituals of other religions in Vietnam.

"The requiem shows the moral principle of the people of Vietnam, the tradition of paying gratitude in Buddhism. Soldiers of the naval forces of the Republic of Vietnam sacrificed themselves on Hoang Sa in 1974 to protect the country’s island and sea sovereignty. We need to recognize their contributions," Son emphasized.

From July 7-14, the delegation of overseas Vietnamese will join in the Hung Kings' death anniversary, visit President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, the tomb of General Vo Nguyen Giap and Phong Nha - Ke Bang.

In April 2010, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs organized the first visit to Truong Sa for representatives of Vietnamese people in several countries around the world, and representatives of six religions in Vietnam. The delegation participated in a requiem on Song Tu Tay Island to pray for the souls of officers and soldiers who sacrificed for the country’s islands’ sovereignty.

Tran Cham