This is a particularly significant political event for young people across the country, taking place at a pivotal moment as Viet Nam enters a new era of development after 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal). The Party’s landmark strategic decisions are creating a solid springboard, opening historic opportunities for the nation to stride confidently into the future.
Throughout the past term, despite facing numerous challenges, from complex global developments and the impacts of climate change and pandemics to emerging social issues, the Youth Union and youth movements have left behind many proud achievements that reflect the vitality and dedication of the younger generation.
More than 48.7 million Youth Union members and young people have donned the iconic blue volunteer shirt and taken on the country’s most demanding tasks. During the 2022–2026 period, youthful creativity flourished, with more than 156,000 ideas and initiatives successfully put into practice.
Under the hands of Viet Nam’s young people, tens of millions of trees have taken root and flourished as symbols of aspiration and hope. Notably, amid the country’s accelerating digital transformation, a large proportion of young people have enhanced their digital capabilities, mastered basic technologies, gained access to online public services and electronic payment systems, and begun to affirm their role in the digital economy.
More than 48.7 million Youth Union members and young people have donned the iconic blue volunteer shirt and taken on the country’s most demanding tasks. During the 2022–2026 period, youthful creativity flourished, with more than 156,000 ideas and initiatives successfully put into practice.
However, significant obstacles and challenges remain. As the population ages, the proportion of young people in Viet Nam is showing signs of decline. The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and automation is reshaping the labour market, requiring continuous improvements in workforce quality and skills. At the same time, non-traditional security threats, the erosion of ideals, and the rise of pragmatic attitudes among a segment of young people, together with hostile forces' attempts to undermine the country through cyberspace, require the Youth Union to adopt more responsive, insightful, and flexible strategies.
The 2026–2031 term presents Viet Nam’s younger generation with a glorious historic mission. It represents a decisive period in which the entire political system is striving to achieve the strategic goals set by the Party in preparation for the centenary of the nation’s founding. In response to this responsibility, the 13th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Youth Union has adopted the action slogan: “Self-Reliance and Resilience – Pioneering Innovation – Aspiration to Devote – Mastering the Future.” This slogan will serve as the guiding principle for all Youth Union activities, with the aim of nurturing a generation of young people possessing revolutionary ideals, strong moral character, profound knowledge, confidence, and readiness to become global citizens while preserving a distinct Vietnamese identity.
Such aspirations cannot become reality without comprehensive and far-reaching reforms in educating young people in ideals, ethics, and lifestyles. Studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality, and style must genuinely become an intrinsic need, closely linked to professional development and revolutionary ethics. In the digital era, the Youth Union must quickly harness artificial intelligence, big data, and digital platforms to continuously innovate its communication methods. Every Youth Union member should become a dynamic young defender of the Party’s ideological foundation, proactively countering distorted narratives both online and in everyday life.
Unlocking the potential of young people means unleashing their pioneering spirit and innovative capacity. Through initiatives such as the “Digital Literacy for All” movement and “Community Digital Technology Teams”, young people can spread new knowledge and help establish the digital economy as a key pillar of national development.
At the same time, the wave of youth entrepreneurship should be elevated into a new movement. Young people must be equipped to take the lead in the circular economy, ecological agriculture, and renewable energy, creating products that proudly bear the “Make in Viet Nam” brand and contribute directly to the country’s goal of achieving sustainable double-digit economic growth in the years ahead.
Since its establishment, the vitality of the Youth Union has always stemmed from its close bond with the people and the nation, while growing under the Party’s leadership and guidance. Caring for, nurturing and unlocking the potential of the younger generation is not solely the responsibility of the Youth Union; it must be recognised as a strategic responsibility of the Party, the people, and the entire political system.
Party committees and authorities at all levels should continue to deepen their understanding of policies aimed at strengthening the Party’s leadership over youth affairs in the new context, placing young people at the centre of human resource development strategies by creating a supportive environment and institutional framework, while introducing breakthrough mechanisms and policies to maximise the potential and creativity of young people across all fields.
The political system — with the Viet Nam Fatherland Front as its solid foundation — should further strengthen its role in accompanying and coordinating efforts to broaden the front of national unity and engage young people. As the common home of the great national unity bloc, the Fatherland Front and mass organisations should continue implementing coordinated programmes that mobilise all social resources to support children and young people, maintain regular dialogue, listen to and address their legitimate aspirations, and create greater opportunities for them to participate in oversight, social criticism, and policymaking.
In return for this care and these high expectations, the Youth Union must constantly renew itself and boldly pioneer innovation in every aspect of its work to remain aligned with a streamlined, effective, and efficient political system. Under the glorious banner of the Party, guided by the entire political system and supported by the people, the younger generation’s aspiration to contribute, spirit of self-reliance, and creative intellect will be fully unleashed, joining the powerful momentum of a nation reaching new heights in an era of integration.
