The event, held by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in coordination with the Vietnam Former Youth Volunteers’ Association and Bac Kan Province authorities, was attended by Politburo member cum Head of the Party Central Committee for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai.
On March 28, 1951, during a working trip, Uncle Ho visited a youth volunteer unit on duty to protect the Na Cu bridge (now in Na Tu village, Cam Giang commune, Bach Thong district). He encouraged the force to unite to fulfil their tasks and granted them four famous verses that later became a source of encouragement, a guideline, a life motto, and a noble ideal for the force and all the Vietnamese youth: "Không có việc gì khó/Chỉ sợ lòng không bền/Đào núi và lấp biển/Quyết chí ắt làm nên” (No job is hard/If one’s will is enduring/Even digging down the mountain or filling up the ocean/Determination will make it happen).
Speaking at the ceremony, Politburo member Mai emphasised that the event at Na Tu on March 28, 1951 has gone down in the history of the force forever. Four short verses contain Uncle Ho's deep feelings and belief in the youth volunteers, as well as reflecting his strategic vision and great thought about the force.
Following his teachings, over the past 70 years, the force have constantly tried their best to overcome arduous challenges and bring the determination and creative spirit of the youth to the cause of national liberation, construction and defence.
Acknowledging these contributions, the Party and State have awarded the force multiple noble rewards. In that heroic history, Uncle Ho's four verses have been the motto of life, belief and a will to act not only of the youth volunteers and the young generation but also all classes of people.
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Politburo member Truong Thi Mai speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: NDO/Tuan Son)
Politburo member Mai suggested Party cells at all levels to pay attention to the growth of the young generation of Vietnam and the strong development of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.
The senior Party official also asked local authorities to promote the glorious tradition of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the youth volunteer force by preserving and embellishing historical relics related to the force, while replicating good models in economic development by former youth volunteers and regularly caring for them.
At the ceremony, Politburo member Mai presented 20 gratitude houses to the Vietnam Former Youth Volunteers’ Association affiliates in 19 localities nationwide. The Central Committees of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the Vietnam Former Youth Volunteers’ Association donated VND 400 million to the association’s branches in the provinces of Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Phuc and Bac Kan. In addition, 70 gifts, each worth VND 1 million, were also granted to 70 students with difficult circumstances in Bac Kan from the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee.
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Politburo member Truong Thi Mai and delegates plant trees at the Na Tu relic site. (Photo: NDO/Tuan Son)
After the celebration, Politburo member Mai joined the delegates in planting trees at the historical site of Na Tu and kick-started the construction of a stone stele for the Na Cu bridge in Dau Cau village, Cam Giang commune.
Earlier, Politburo member Mai offered incense to President Ho Chi Minh at the Uncle Ho Memorial House at the Na Tu historic site.
