A journey of growth
In the tranquil yet majestic landscape at the northernmost point of the Fatherland, the national flag flies proudly in the wind, imbued with the sweat and blood of generations of Vietnamese forebears. Beneath the red flag with the yellow star, the vibrant blue of the Viet Nam Youth Federation flags reflects the vitality of youth. Amid the towering mountains, hundreds of Youth Federation officials, members, delegates to the 2026 “I Love My Fatherland” journey and local young people chanted the slogan: “For a prosperous and civilised Viet Nam, youth, advance!”
The “I Love My Fatherland” movement is a flagship initiative of the Viet Nam Youth Federation and plays an important role in mobilising the resources of young people to promote social welfare, accompany youth, and contribute to the building and defence of socialist Viet Nam. In recent years, the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Youth Federation has implemented the “I Love My Fatherland” journey as a means of increasing young people’s contributions and creativity in related activities.
Under the theme “Proud of the 70-year tradition of the Viet Nam Youth Federation”, this year’s journey is running from May to October 15, 2026. Activities held as part of the Journey are linked to “red addresses” — historic sites associated with the nation’s revolutionary struggle — combining traditional education, gratitude activities, social welfare, meetings with historical witnesses, and the promotion of patriotism among young people. At the central level, the journey covers seven stages: Nghe An, Hue, Tuyen Quang–Lung Cu Flag Tower, Dien Bien–Khanh Hoa, Ca Mau, Ho Chi Minh City, and the capital city of Ha Noi.
According to Nguyen Tuong Lam, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and President of the Viet Nam Youth Federation, the 2026 “I Love My Fatherland” journey is not simply a trip to several localities but has been designed as an experiential journey through history and culture, deeply imbued with the nation’s memories. At each stage, young participants learn about history, nurture their love for their homeland, and strengthen their sense of responsibility towards the community and the country. Beginning in the homeland of beloved President Ho Chi Minh, the journey seeks to kindle the flame of ideals and remind young people to follow in the footsteps of previous generations. From the memorial temple dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh, a sacred torch was carried by a delegation of 70 outstanding young people throughout all stages of the journey. In mid-July, the torch arrived at Lung Cu National Flag Tower.
Every Monday morning, Senior Lieutenant Ly Van Trung, head of the Drug and Crime Prevention Team at Lung Cu Border Guard Station under the Tuyen Quang Provincial Border Guard, and his colleagues hold a flag-raising ceremony at Lung Cu National Flag Tower. However, taking part in the flag-raising ceremony alongside delegates to the “I Love My Fatherland” journey gave him an indescribable sense of pride.
“From the solemn ceremony at the top of the flag tower, I could clearly feel the love for the homeland in every delegate. They are all outstanding young people in different fields, with different jobs, but they share the determination to safeguard the country’s borders and to live and fight for a prosperous and strong Viet Nam in the new era,” the young border guard said.
Bringing the vitality of youth to every part of the fatherland
Beyond their educational and inspirational significance and their role in spreading love for the homeland, the “I Love My Fatherland” journey also brings social welfare resources to people across the country. Immediately after the solemn flag-raising ceremony at Lung Cu National Flag Tower, delegates and local young people jointly staged an arts programme for the local residents featuring songs praising the Party and the country, the rich traditional cultural identity of the highlands, and the spirit of national solidarity.
Beyond their educational and inspirational significance and their role in spreading love for the homeland, the “I Love My Fatherland” journey also brings social welfare resources to people across the country.
At the programme, the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Youth Federation and relevant organisations presented 28 gifts to families of war invalids, sick veterans, and policy beneficiaries, as well as 23 bicycles and scholarships to students facing difficult circumstances. The journey delegation visited communities in Lung Cu Commune, presented a “Happy Home” project, supported five livelihood models for local young people, and donated a series of playgrounds for students in the highlands.
Sitting among delegates who had made contributions to the revolution, Luong Thi Eng was deeply moved. Originally from the former Bac Kan Province, she was a volunteer female military medic in 1972 and headed to the frontline during some of the fiercest years of the war. Today, the Nung ethnic woman still considers herself fortunate to have returned home after four years on the battlefield without suffering any serious injuries. She went on to work at a district hospital until her retirement.
The practical and effective activities of the “I Love My Fatherland” journey are organised as a series of interconnected programmes with the aim of bringing patriotic hearts and inspiring young people together to embrace noble and purposeful ideals and a sense of responsibility towards the community.
Duong Minh Nguyet, Secretary of the Youth Union and Chairwoman of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Youth Federation, said that Lung Cu National Flag Tower was selected as one of the journey’s stops to kindle enthusiasm among every delegate, member, and local young person. With each activity, that flame grows stronger, helping young people to mature, gain a deeper understanding of the history of building and defending the country, and develop a sense of responsibility and creativity so that their love for their homeland and country can be translated into concrete action.
The third stage of the “I Love My Fatherland” journey concluded at Vi Xuyen National Martyrs’ Cemetery. On the occasion, hundreds of restored portraits of fallen soldiers were presented to representatives of their families. Phung Quang Trung, head of the volunteer Skyline photo restoration group, said emotionally: “Some gifts cannot be measured in material value, because everything is given with gratitude. Each restored photograph brings the faces of the fallen into clearer focus after so many years of separation. We restore their photographs not only so that their families can see again the familiar faces of their loved ones, but also to help today’s generation forever remember the heroes who fell for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.”
Immediately after the 500-day-and-night campaign to search for, recover, and identify the remains of fallen soldiers was launched, the journey quickly incorporated a range of activities. Nguyen Kim Quy, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Youth Federation, said that the journey delegation had visited, encouraged, and presented gifts and essential supplies to officials and soldiers carrying out the search for and recovery of fallen soldiers’ remains at sites where some of the fiercest battles took place in Vi Xuyen, known as the “lime kiln of the century.” Youth Union and Youth Federation organisations nationwide also simultaneously launched the “stories from the years of fire” campaign, collecting more than 650,000 stories about fallen heroes and those who once fought to defend the Fatherland.
