Memorial Ceremony Marking the 2nd Anniversary of the Passing of the Founder of Vietnam Records Organization
Two years have passed since the passing of Mr. Lê Trần Trường An (1970–2024), Founder of the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings), yet the values he worked so hard to build continue to be preserved and spread. On August 6, 2026, the Central Vietnam Records Association, the Vietnam Records Organization, and his family held a memorial ceremony themed “Legacy- Aspiration & Continuation,” as a tribute to the pioneer who opened the path, and as an occasion for today’s generations to look back, preserve, and carry forward the journey of honouring Vietnam’s record-setting values.
Aug 6, 2026 (the 24th day of the 6th Lunar month in the Year of the Horse) marks exactly two years since the passing of Mr. Lê Trần Trường An, Founder of the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings), the person who pioneered and led Vietnam’s community of record holders for 20 years. In the 15 years before his passing, he also worked tirelessly alongside the India Book of Records (IBR) and Asia Book of Records (ABR) in the field of recognizing talents and setting records. He actively contributed to elevating this work to new heights.
A memorial rite was held at the family home, attended by the leadership of the Central Vietnam Records Association, members of Vietnam’s record-holder community, family, close friends, and those who had accompanied him throughout his life as well as the journey of building and developing the Vietnam Records Organization. In a warm and intimate atmosphere, everyone lit incense in remembrance, expressed their gratitude, and reminisced about a man who had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the mission of “Bringing Vietnam’s finest to the world- Bringing the world’s finest to Vietnam.”
From the intimate setting of the home ceremony, the wave of remembrance and gratitude continued at a solemn memorial ceremony held at the Pavillon Tan Son Nhat Conference Center (Ho Chi Minh City). The ceremony was attended by the leadership of the Central Vietnam Records Association; members of the Founding Council and the Certification Council; record holders, representatives of numerous associations, federations, and businesses, along with family members and a large number of friends and colleagues of Mr. Lê Trần Trường An.
In a solemnly prepared space under the theme “Legacy- Aspiration & Continuation,” guests looked back on the life, career, and contributions of Mr. Lê Trần Trường An to the journey of honoring Vietnamese values. Alongside photographs and materials retracing his path of dedication, the exhibition space also introduced programs and projects that VietKings continues to carry out- proof that the aspirations he originated are still being carried on and developed by today’s generations.
At the ceremony, the short film “A Lifetime of Building- A Legacy Continued” took attendees through the life and more than twenty years of dedication of Mr. Lê Trần Trường An to Vietnam’s record movement- from the early days of founding the Vietnam Records Center, through the building of VietKings, the expansion of international cooperation- including 15 years of tireless collaboration with the India Book of Records (IBR) and the Asia Book of Records (ABR) in recognising talents and endlessly working to provide a platform of recognition to these extraordinary individuals. He had travelled across the country in search of an in tribute to Vietnamese values. Beyond revisiting a journey now past, the film also conveyed a message about the responsibility to preserve and carry forward the legacy he devoted his entire life to building.
In a solemn moment of the ceremony, all delegates observed a moment of silence and respectfully laid flowers before Mr. Lê Trần Trường An’s portrait, expressing not only gratitude to the departed but also deep respect for the values he left behind for the records community and for the journey of honoring Vietnamese values.
The moments of remembrance also opened space for those who had once walked alongside him to share memories, feelings, and stories about a man who devoted his entire life to connecting, building, and spreading Vietnamese values.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Thang Van Phuc, former Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Chairman of the Central Vietnam Records Association, shared deep feelings for Mr. Lê Trần Trường An, while affirming that the values and development philosophy the VietKings founder had worked so hard to build would continue to be inherited and promoted by future generations on the journey of honoring Vietnamese values: he noted the every great orgnization begins with an idea, but turning an idea into a lasting journey, building a community and an ecosystem with the power to spread sustainably, requires someone bold enough to think differently, act differently, face challenges head-on, and hols firm to the path theory have chosen. For the Vietnam Records Association and Vietnam Records Organization, he said, Mr. Lê Trần Trường An was exactly such a person, guided always by the belief that “the road is made by walking it.” What is being carried forward, he added, is not merely an organization but a philosophy, a conviction that Vietnam’s finest values will always be preserved, honoured, and passed on to future generations.
Having accompanied Mr. Lê Trần Trường An since the earliest days of building the Vietnam Records Organization, Prof. Academician Hoang Quang Thuan, Director of the Institute of Telecommunications Technology under the Vietnam Records Organization, shared with emotion that, to him, Trường An was not only a younger colleague and a dedicated partner but also a man who carried within him a great aspiration to build an organization that would honor Vietnamese values, connect people driven to rise above themselves, and spread a spirit of creativity throughout the community. What Trường An left behind that he treasures most, he said, is not the organization itself ot the number of records established, but a spirit. The spirit of daring to think, to act, to innovate, and to step into uncharted territory to affirm Vietnamese values through the intellect and courage of the Vietnamese people.
Also at the ceremony, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, Lieutenant General, and cosmonaut Phạm Tuân, former Director General of the General Department of Defense Industry under the Ministry of National Defense, and Honorary Chairman of Sphere.6 spoke sincerely about the courage of pioneers and his memories of accompanying Mr. Lê Trần Trường An. Drawing on his own experience of pushing past new limits, he expressed deep gratitude for the aspiration, willpower, and spirit of dedication that the VietKings founder had devoted entirely to building Vietnam’s records community. He remarked that he saw in Mr. Lê Trần Trường An three precious qualities: a profound love for people, homeland, and country; the intelligence to find the right path; and the determination to overcome every difficulty through innovation and creativity- three qualities that, together, define the character of a true trailblazer. The most meaningful way to honor and remember him today, he said, is to keep moving together, to continue what he dreamed of and laid the groundwork for, and to unite in preserving and expanding the path he built so that Vietnam’s records movement continues to grow.
Though unable to attend for health reasons, several leaders sent heartfelt reflections and meaningful stories about Mr. Lê Trần Trường An, both in his work and in life. Dr Le Doan Hop– former Minister of Information and Communications and Chairman of the VietKings Certification Council– sent a moving message of remembrance, describing Trường An as a man who thought, spoke, walked, and acted in one accord; who approached every matter with both reason and heart; who stayed far from negativity and was never swayed by money; who refused to carry out an order from a superior if he believed it was wrong; and who remained loyal and devoted to those around him.
At the memorial ceremony, several international leaders also sent video messages and letters of remembrance. Dr. Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, President of the World Records Union (WorldKings), along with Mrs.Neerja Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director of the India Records Organization; Mr. Osmar Semesta Susilo, Vice President of Indonesia Records Organization; and Mr. Valentyn Shcherbachov, President of the National Records Organization of Ukraine, expressed their remembrance and deep respect for Founder Trường An. These messages also stood as recognition of his contributions in building an international network of cooperation, connecting Vietnam’s records community with record organizations across the region and around the world.
During the sharing session, many record holders, colleagues, and those who had once accompanied Mr. Lê Trần Trường An shared profound memories of a man devoted to his work, wholeheartedly committed to the community, and constantly inspiring others to take pride in preserving and promoting their own values. These stories not only recalled a founder but also reflected the humanity, sincerity, and trust he had sown within Vietnam’s records community over more than two decades.
In memory of the Founder, Mr. Nguyen Tran Quang (a member of the Development Council of the Vietnam Records Institute) said that he was always a man full of energy, humility, endlessly creative, and especially gifted at connecting people from many different fields to work together toward spreading good values. He recalled that, after more than 20 years of knowing Trường An, what he remembers most is his smile and his seemingly boundless energy, and what he treasures even more is his gift for connection, for only Trường An could bring people together people of such varied experience and backgrounds- onto a single shared journey. The most important thing he left behind, he said, is perhaps the spirit of connection itself, and the question now facing everyone is how to carry forward his dream, to keep thinking differently, acting differently, and continuing to write the next chapter of Vietnam’s record journey together.
Having accompanied Mr. Lê Trần Trường An in numerous initiatives honoring Vietnamese cuisine and tourism, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Khanh, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, expressed deep respect for a man who was always dedicated, creative, and humble, and affirmed that the Association would continue to accompany VietKings in promoting the values and culinary and tourism programmes he had helped build.
On behalf of the family and the Vietnam Records Organization (VietKings), Dr. Nguyen Hoang Anh extended heartfelt thanks to the leaders, record holders, partners, colleagues, and friends who took the time to attend the ceremony, as well as to those who have continued to accompany VietKings on the journey of preserving the values that Mr. Trường An left behind. She affirmed that, through the collective efforts of VietKings and Vietnam’s records community, the programs the founder initiated will continue to be developed. She noted that the Vietnam Records Organization was never built by one person alone, but by the trust and dedication of many people, and that what needs to be carried forward is not just an organization but an entire system of values built through the dedication of countless people over more than two decades. While she could not promise perfection in everything they do, she pledged that they would preserve these core values with full responsibility, while continuing to innovate to further develop the records community with full responsibility, while continuing to innovate to further develop the records community and contribute even more to society and the country.
Two years since Mr. Le Lê Trần Trường An’s passing, time has not dimmed the values he left behind. The projects still being carried out, the journeys that continue steadily onward, and the unity of today’s VietKings generation stand as the clearest proof of a legacy that continues to be preserved and developed. The memorial ceremony has come to a close, but the spirit of “Legacy– Aspiration & Continuation” will continue to spread along every step of the road ahead, so that the values Mr. Le Lê Trần Trường An set in motion will keep being written forward through the responsibility, dedication, and aspiration of those who remain.