Building a sustainable future from the bridges of youth friendship

Young people join hands to span bridges of friendship

“In recent days, I and my friends from China have experienced many useful and interesting activities, contributed ideas to promote theoretical work, build Youth Union organisations, foster digital transformation for socio-economic development,” shared Wang Yu Qing, representative of the young lecturers’ delegation from Shanghai, China.

The Chinese delegates also visited typical historical revolutionary sites, scenic spots, and enjoying traditional cuisine of Vietnam. Many of them were especially impressed with Vietnam’s ‘pho’.

At the Vietnam-China Youth Forum held recently in Hanoi within the 24th “Vietnam-China Youth Friendship Meeting”, Wang delivered a well-appreciated presentation by delegates from both countries titled “How to create cultural and ideological products that draw attention and create resonance and empathy among youths.”

With creative storytelling and sharing, Wang said that today’s youth have truly become “netizens,” who always update new trends and respond well to gentle, comfortable communication methods.

Wang also introduced participants to his “Youth Living Room” initiative, which is developed based on this psychology to incorporate healthy, friendly entertainment elements into content production.

Moreover, the project’s producers actively invite KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) who are influential among youth to participate in content creation, using youth perspectives to transform the Party and State’s theoretical and policy systems into knowledge and linear thinking for young people.

Delegates visit a photo exhibition on exchange and cooperation activities between youth unions of Vietnam and China (Photo: VNA)

Another Chinese delegate attending the forum, Huang Chen Shen, a lecturer at the China Youth University of Political Studies, expressed great enthusiasm about coming to Vietnam and meeting many outstanding young individuals in various fields.

She recalled the visit to the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism (Son Tay Town, Hanoi City), which she described as an unforgettable experience for every Chinese youth delegate.

“The cultural diversity here shows precious and tireless efforts to preserve and promote the ethnic groups. I clearly felt the respect for traditional culture and the inseparable common values of Vietnam,” she said.

For the first time participating in the youth friendship exchange program between Vietnam and China, Nguyen Minh Anh, Secretary of the Youth Union of Quang An Ward (Tay Ho District, Hanoi), hailed that this was an extremely valuable experience, giving each delegate the opportunity to broaden their vision, learn new things, and gain deeper understanding of the culture, history, and people of the neighbouring country.

At the 24th Vietnam-China Youth Friendship Meeting, Minh Anh delivered a presentation on how Youth Union work can contribute to Party building.

Expressing her impression of the progressive spirit and attitude of Chinese delegates, Nguyen Minh Anh affirmed that the event helped her gain much knowledge, improve communication skills, teamwork, and foreign language abilities.

She expressed her belief that the Vietnam-China Youth Friendship Meeting will become a solid foundation for long-term cooperative relationships between Vietnamese and Chinese youths, especially youth union officials of both countries.

For a future of solidarity, stability, and sustainability

The “Vietnam-China Youth Friendship Meeting” is organised alternately by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Communist Youth League of China since 2000. This year’s edition is hosted by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the provinces of Ninh Binh and Quang Ninh.

This year’s programme featured a series of activities taking place in the context of flourishing relations between the two countries.

Following the launch of the “Vietnam-China Year of Humanistic Exchange 2025”, the activities are designed to maximise the strengths of the youth of both countries, providing opportunities for delegates to cultivate and share professional knowledge, political theory, and personal strengths.

A key highlight of the programme is the meeting between Bui Quang Huy, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, and First Secretary of the Communist Youth League of China Central Committee A Dong.

At the talks between heads of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Communist Youth League of China in Hanoi on April 13. (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting, both sides agreed that the programme is especially significant for the youth of Vietnam and China, coinciding with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam. The event demonstrated the determination of both youth unions to realise joint declarations and helps inform young generations about the positive new developments in the traditional friendship between the two countries.

In addition to reviewing bilateral cooperation — especially the implementation of previously signed memoranda of understanding — the two sides discussed joint concerns, including the "red journey for youth research and learning” initiative, which will gather outstanding young delegates from both countries to visit and study at historical revolutionary sites in both Vietnam and China.

This journey will help deepen young people’s understanding of the revolutionary process and the mutual support that both Parties and States have steadfastly pursued over the years.

This initiative was highly appreciated by Do Van Chien, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee. He emphasised that the future activities of the two youth organisations are clear evidence of the enduring comradeship, brotherhood, and friendship between Vietnam and China, with youths as the core force.

To further strengthen traditional ties, Vietnamese and Chinese youth should take the lead in implementing major national policies, especially in science-technology, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.

Echoing the same views, Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Viet Thao, member of the Central Theoretical Council and former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, affirmed that Vietnamese youth shoulder the mission of being pioneers and innovators in a new era, while Chinese youths play a leading role in their nation’s progress toward its centenary goals.

To realise these missions, the young generation in each country must cultivate ideals of national and revolutionary service, confidently advance under the Party’s banner, and consistently practice a lifestyle of service and dedication to the homeland.

According to Bui Quang Huy, increasing exchanges and cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese youths — especially through forums, seminars, and direct dialogues — is deeply meaningful in building mutual understanding and trust.

These activities offer opportunities for young people to share perspectives and foster genuine, heartfelt connections. The bonds formed through the 24th Vietnam-China Youth Friendship Meeting will serve as a strong foundation and bridge for stable, healthy, and sustainable development between the two countries in the future.