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A land of wonderful happiness at the ends of the earth.
Vanuatu, also known as the Republic of Vanuatu, is an island nation located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, renowned for its long stretches of white sandy beaches, active volcanoes, and unique Melanesian culture.
Vanuatu is an archipelago consisting of 83 islands of varying sizes located in Oceania.
Before gaining independence in 1980, Vanuatu was known as New Hebrides. Along with New Caledonia, these were two French colonial archipelagos in the South Pacific, a two-hour flight from the east coast of Australia.
Vanuatu, a hidden gem in the Pacific Ocean, was once voted one of the 178 happiest countries in the world. Here, time flows slowly and peacefully like a river. The people of Vanuatu don't rush to pursue material values, but know how to enjoy the present moment with family and community. They consider time to be an illusion; they have no worries, and their lives are intertwined with the sea, with its long stretches of white sandy beaches like soft silk ribbons embracing the island, and with its lush tropical forests.
Despite constantly facing challenges from nature such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and storms, the people of Vanuatu have always maintained an optimistic and united spirit. They have proven that happiness does not come from luxurious material things, but from simple spiritual values such as love, sharing, and community.
Vanuatu still retains the pristine beauty of its mountains and endless stretches of turquoise beaches.
Humans first set foot on Vanuatu thousands of years ago, leaving behind unique cultural traces. Even today, visitors can find traditional villages nestled in lush green forests. The people here live in harmony with nature, building unique stilt houses and participating in colorful traditional festivals. They have vibrant dances, captivating myths, and mysterious spiritual rituals.
The cultural soul of Vanuatu is called “kastom,” encompassing everything from economics and art to spirituality, all in a unique way. If you want to know what “kastom” is truly like, visit the villages in Vanuatu that seem “closed off from the world.” These are real settlements, devoid of modern technology or any tourist gimmicks – a chance to discover Vanuatu’s sacred past.
With its mild climate, Vanuatu is ideal for a peaceful and slow-paced life.
For example, the Naghol festival on Pentecost Island has been recorded in the Guinness Book of Records for its custom of "testing men's courage" by jumping headfirst from a nearly 30-meter-high wooden tower on a steep hill... However, if you prefer luxurious getaways, Vanuatu is also ready to perfectly meet your needs. You'll easily find pristine beaches, luxurious yachts, high-end resorts, and a variety of top-class sports and services...
A century of Vietnamese people in Vanuatu
A distant country, located halfway across the globe, its name is unfamiliar to most of our people. Vanuatu, a place seemingly isolated from the rest of the world. Yet, few know that this place holds deeply moving stories of a Vietnamese diaspora. Over a century ago, ships carrying the dreams and hopes of Vietnamese people arrived in this new land. They overcame countless difficulties and hardships to build a new life on the shores of the blue sea.
Vietnamese people living abroad in the past left many imprints on this land of love and support.
The first recorded arrival of Vietnamese (Annamite in French documents) were prisoners and political inmates around 1911. In 1923, the first 145 laborers from North Vietnam officially arrived in New Hebrides under the labor export program (i.e., recruited laborers). These individuals were employed under five-year contracts with French recruitment companies to work on plantations. Around the same time, a large number of laborers also chose to work as miners in New Caledonia. Vietnamese farmers called New Hebrides the New Island, while New Caledonia was called the New World.
The lives of the laborers were arduous and miserable, toiling hard while being brutally beaten. They were treated like "yellow slaves." However, back home, no one knew about these working conditions; they only saw the high wages and were determined to leave their hometowns for a while to escape poverty in the densely populated, flood-prone areas of the Northern Delta. They called each other "chan dang" (meaning "foot laborers"). To this day, the origin of the term "chan dang" remains unclear, but according to some people I spoke to, they believe it originated from the old saying, "Register me for a place to go to the New World."
This land holds a deep bond of friendship between two nations, despite being separated by half the globe.
By 1940, World War II had completely severed communication between New Caledonia and Vietnam. Despite being far from their homeland, the Vietnamese community remained steadfastly loyal to their country, supporting the resistance against the French. The joy was overwhelming when the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was established, but this also fueled the animosity of the French. After the victory at Dien Bien Phu, the Vietnamese community faced numerous difficulties, even threats. Finally, in 1960, the ship Eastern Queen transported 551 people from New Caledonia to Hai Phong, where Prime Minister Pham Van Dong personally welcomed them. A new chapter in the history of the Vietnamese community in New Caledonia was opened.
Therefore, when visiting Vanuatu, besides the paradise-like beauty of the archipelago in the azure Pacific Ocean and the awe-inspiring indigenous culture almost untouched by the civilized world, tourists can also enjoy a sense of familiarity when encountering many aspects of Vietnamese culture here. Along with that are the local markets with their familiar displays and many familiar products such as sweet potatoes and cabbage...
Two couplets in Chinese characters, inscribed on two pillars built in the style of the village temple gates in Northern Vietnam, within the Vietnamese community living in Vanuatu, evoke deep emotion in all who visit:
"The wild compatriots are in red."
"I will go north, my ancestors will return south."
Alas, our people have followed the phoenix northward.
Sadly, this bloodline must return to the South.
Those two couplets, like whispers, were etched into a deeply moving historical moment. When the Vietnamese people in New Caledonia were separated, half remaining, half departing, these couplets became a prayer, a connecting thread between distant hearts. Those who remained always looked towards their homeland, carrying a poignant longing in every breath. And those who departed, though separated by vast distances, their souls always turned towards their country. Each word in the couplet was like a message, a promise to forever keep the flame of patriotism alive, no matter where they were.
