The Historic Vietnamese Village that's in Thailand

The village that bond Thailand with Vietnam
August 07, 2021 | 14:25
Vietnam - Thailand Friendship: Strong Development in Future Vietnam - Thailand Friendship: Strong Development in Future
People-to-people Relations Between Vietnam and Thailand: Bright Prospects in Coming Decades People-to-people Relations Between Vietnam and Thailand: Bright Prospects in Coming Decades
Making The Close Relationship Between Vietnam and Thailand Take Wing Making The Close Relationship Between Vietnam and Thailand Take Wing

About 800km northeast of Bangkok lies the Thailand – Vietnam Friendship Village, a historical area rich in the Vietnamese culture, where President Ho Chi Minh lived from 1928 – 1930. It is a symbol of friendship between Vietnam and Thailand and a meeting place for the Vietnamese living in Thailand.

A village for the Vietnamese in Thailand

Most of the population in the Thailand – Vietnam Friendship Village, located within the Mạy village in Nakhon Phanom province, are Vietnamese. Mạy has 127 households whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and trade with other areas across the northeast region. Villagers speak Vietnamese and Thai in their daily conversations.

In late 1928, President Ho Chi Minh, who adopted the alias Thau Chin, relocated from Noong On village to Nakhon Phanom province. Here, he proposed that locals changed the name of their village from Nachok (the Wolf) to Mạy (new village) to celebrate the changes in the village established by the Vietnamese community.

The Historic Vietnamese Village that's in Thailand
The President Ho Chi Minh Historical Site in the Thailand – Vietnam Friendship Village of Nakhon Phanom province. Photo: Vietnam Times

Thau Chin mobilized young villagers to cut logs and bake bricks to build a stilt house as a working and residential area for revolutionary cadres from Vietnam. He named it “the cooperation house.”

After work, Thau Chin played football with villagers and taught them how to grow rice and save money to assist Vietnam from afar. He asked that no matter where they went, overseas Vietnamese should always remember and support their homeland.

The Vietnamese cultural space in Mạy village that was formed over 100 years ago and has been preserved until today. At the center of the village lies the Tran Hung Dao Temple, built in 1898. After undergoing countless renovations, the temple now resembles a traditional communal house in Vietnam in both architecture and size.

The Historic Vietnamese Village that's in Thailand

The President Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site looking from outside. Photo: Vietnam Times

A historical location marking the friendship between Vietnam and Thailand

Locals have long considered the Thailand – Vietnam Friendship Village a historic location, marking the friendship and solidary between the two countries. In May 1999, Thailand planned to turn the village into a historical site to foster relations between Vietnam and Thailand. On Feb. 21, 2004, the Thailand – Vietnam Friendship Village was inaugurated in the Mạy village of Nakhon Phanom province.

Having nurtured a deep respect for Thau Chin, the Vietnamese community in Mạy preserved his keepsakes after he travelled to other areas. Their respect and pride become more profound when Thau Chin became President Ho Chi Minh.

The Historic Vietnamese Village that's in Thailand
Images of President Ho Chi Minh in the exhibition room. Photo: Vietnamnet

In June 2013, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong assisted the Thailand – Vietnam Friendship Association in Nakhon Phanom to build a President Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site on a 1.2h hectare area granted by the Thai government. The memorial site adopts uses traditional Vietnamese architecture.

The Thailand – Vietnam Friendship Village and the President Ho Chi Minh Memorial Site regularly attract visitors from across Thailand. Aside from its significant cultural and historical values, the site has become a symbol of the friendship between the two countries.

The Historic Vietnamese Village that's in Thailand
The Vietnamese and Thai communities at the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Bui Ngoc Anh/Ha Tinh University

The Thailand – Vietnam Friendship Village has contributed cooperation between the peoples of Vietnam and Thailand. The village is the meeting place for the Vietnamese communities not only in Nakhon Phanom but also across the northeast region during special occasions. It helps to tighten the bonds between overseas Vietnamese in Thailand and preserve Vietnamese culture. The village is also a must-see destination for any Vietnamese coming to the northeast of Thailand.

Vietnamese Girl's 'Zero Dong' Overseas Trip Vietnamese Girl's 'Zero Dong' Overseas Trip

Thanh Tam made a volunteer trip to save money on accommodation in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Sri Lanka two years ago.

Vietnam's President Looks to Strengthen Relations with Thailand, Chile, Cuba, Russia Vietnam's President Looks to Strengthen Relations with Thailand, Chile, Cuba, Russia

Vietnam's State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he expected to enhance cooperation between Vietnam and different countries during recent ambassador receptions.

"Phuket sandbox" plan becomes hope for Thailand to save tourism

Thailand will soon welcome international tourists who are vaccinated to the famous resort island of Phuket without having to go through 14-day quarantine, in hope ...

Sophie Tran