François Trinh Duc plays rugby with children in French Embassy in Hanoi. Photo: P.Y

For rugby fans worldwide, François Trinh Duc is a popular figure since he has been part of the France national rugby union team for nearly 60 times, and helping the team become the first runner – up in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He is now a member of Racing 92 club in Paris. The rugby star recently made his first visit to Vietnam in early October 2019. The trip was filled with memorable experiences.

Rugby – from childhood game to prominent career

François Trinh Duc was born on November 11, 1986 in the city of Montpellier, France. His grandfather was a Vietnamese from Bac Ninh province in North Vietnam. He migrated to France in early 1950s and later got married to an Italian lady, François’s grandmother.

François began to play rugby at the age of 4, following his elder brother’s hobby. “When we are young, we often like to do what the elder siblings do”, he said.

Despite no one in his family pursue a career in the field of sports, François’s love for rugby and his capability increased as he grew up. He started his career by becoming part of Montpellier club at the age of 18.

François talks to his fans in the visit to Hanoi. Photo: P.Y

François ‘s career soon blossomed. At his early twenties, Jacques Brunel, coach of Perpignan, a team once defeated by Montpellier, talked about the young player: “Montpellier won because of François Trinh Duc. He not only bypassed four of our defenders but was able to score a goal from a distance of 40 meters. Normally, this only can be achieved by players at the age of 30s.”

Distinguished techniques, the agility in defense, a wide observation, in many years, François had been a indispensible part of the French national team. Even when he had an injury and could not play, his presence at the side of the stadium was already a strong motivation for his teammate.

According to François Trinh Duc, rugby was not only his career, but also an environment to “cultivate virtues like the respect, solidarity and friendship”.

Story of grandfather’s painting

The trip to Vietnam in October 2019 marked François’s first visit to the homeland of his belated grandfather. In this trip, besides fans meetings, exchange activities and press interviews, he took the time to explore Vietnam, strolling around the Old Quarters, sneaking in small alley, enjoying living amidst the friendliness of people.

The Vietnamese origin of this renowned rugby player has long caught the public attention. In 2015, L’Equipe, a daily sport magazine of France dedicated an article to writing about his grandfather’s life story.

According to the article, François’s grandfather, Mr.Trinh Duc Nhien came to France in the 1950s. He later became a very skillful tailor.

“Nhien was loved by his customers, some only want him to make their clothes”. Specially, François grandfather once made uniform for SU football club in Agen town in 1966.

François said “my grandfather passed aways 2 years before I was born”. His memories about his grandfather was embodied in the memorabilia he left, including a painting of Ha Long Bay. Perhaps this was the only painting my grandfather had ever painted in his life”.

“I knew about Ha Long Bay since I was very little, thank to that painting, living with the dream that one day I could have chance to visit it. And in my first trip to Vietnam, my dream was made come true”, said François.

Rugby connects people

Rugby is a new sport in Vietnam. It is gradually getting popular in the country via several sport projects, especially ChildFund Pass It Back launched by ChildFund and its partners in Asia. ChildFund Pass It Back aims to incorporate life skills into rugby lessons to better the life of disadvantaged teenagers in the region. In Vietnam, the project was successfully carried out in Kim Boi district, Hoa Binh province.

As part of his visit to Vietnam, François participated in meaningful activities with members of ChildFund rugby team and French bilingual program students.

François Trinh Duc visits Phoenix orphanage center in Can Giuoc, Long An province. Photo: Les enfants du Dragon,