On the morning of January 12, 2026, momentarily leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, the internship delegation of the International Relations major, cohort QH22-24, departed early for the ancestral land of Phu Tho. The fourth day of the journey was not merely a field trip, but a pilgrimage to the roots, where the descendants of the Lac Hong people gathered.
Group photo of the delegation before the pilgrimage to the Upper Temple - Photo taken and compiled by the Faculty Media Team
At the Hung Temple relic site, the delegation participated in an in-depth field study within a solemn atmosphere. The first stop was the Hung Vuong Museum, where students focused on studying the system of documentation and archaeological artifacts, thereby consolidating their knowledge of the formation process of the early Van Lang state. After the research session, lecturers and students moved up to the Upper Temple to conduct the incense offering ceremony, expressing their reverence and profound gratitude to the ancestors who built the country.
Ms. Anh Thu (head of the delegation) on behalf of the group offering incense at the Upper Temple - Photo taken and compiled by the Faculty Media Team
In the afternoon of the same day, the learning space shifted to the ancient village of Duong Lam (Son Tay). Here, the key activity was the incense offering ceremony at the Temple of the Two Kings - where Bo Cai Dai Vuong Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen are worshipped. Following the solemn moments of remembrance, the delegation heard detailed presentations about the historical context and military thinking of the two national heroes, helping IR students gain a deeper perspective on the lessons of preserving sovereignty in medieval history.
Continuing the journey, student groups conducted field surveys at Mong Phu Village. Observing the laterite architecture, village gates, and communal water wharves firsthand helped them better analyze the structure of rural society and indigenous cultural values - an important foundation in defining national identity.
Group photo of the delegation at the ancient village of Duong Lam - Photo taken and compiled by the Faculty Media Team
Sharing about the values gained, Lam Ngoc - a second-year student in International Relations expressed: "Spending a full day traveling from the sacred ancestral land back to the quiet ancient village, I truly understand the meaning of the words 'roots'. Today's journey helps me realize that the sustainable historical and cultural values of our ancestors are the firmest foundation for us to confidently move forward, integrating into the common flow of the era while still maintaining our national identity."
Sharing the same emotion before the heroic pages of history, Tuyet Ngan - a second-year International Relations student expressed: "Standing before the Temple of Ngo Quyen, the concepts of 'sovereignty' and 'independence' in the textbooks suddenly become strangely sacred. That was the moment I was truly moved to feel the 'spirit' of our ancestors still intact here. That self-reliant flame is urging our young generation to live, study, and dedicate themselves in a way worthy of the sacrifices of our predecessors."
From another perspective on indigenous culture, Thuy Vy - a second-year International Relations student shared emotionally: "Touching the rough laterite layers, I felt my heart become peaceful, as if I were living in the atmosphere of the old days. Those vibrations help me understand that: To practice cultural diplomacy well, one must first know how to love and cherish these simple yet profound rural values."
Moments of incense offering at the Upper Temple - Photo taken and compiled by the Faculty Media Team
Closing the fourth day of activities, the baggage that the students brought back is not only notes filled with historical materials but also a strong cultivation of national pride. The experiences from Hung Temple to Duong Lam have helped IR-ers understand that: To reach out to the international ocean, one must first stand firmly on the cultural and historical foundation of one's own nation.
Executed by: Faculty Media Team
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"FOLLOWING THE NORTHWARD PATH" is a series of articles updating information and images about the 2026 Domestic Field Trip Program for students of cohort QH22–24, International Relations major, Faculty of History and International Relations, executed by the Faculty Media Team. |
