Marking 95 years since the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (March 26, 1931 –March 26, 2026), Vietnamese youth today continue the story of devotion in their own way – through passion, knowledge, and bold commitment. Pham Quang Viet Hoang, Member of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam National Union of Students, Former Deputy Chairman of the Ha Noi City Students’ Association, exemplifies millions of such young people. Nhan Dan Newspaper’s conversation with him offers a glimpse into the young generation in the new era.
Viet Hoang shared that not everyone has the chance to set foot on Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago. Yet once there, an indescribable emotion surges – not quite joy, not quite sorrow, but a choked pride that defies words.
The KN290 ship departed Ho Chi Minh City on the 50th anniversary of Southern Liberation and national reunification, carrying the affection of mainlanders and youth to frontline soldiers amid waves and winds. Previously, Viet Hoang visited Tho Chu archipelago – Viet Nam’s southwestern outpost, where electricity lasts only a few hours each day and living conditions remain harsh, yet residents and troops still stand firm, clinging to their faith at the nation’s farthest edge.
From Tho Chu to Truong Sa, Viet Hoang recounted slowly, cherishing the memories: “Some submerged islands have just a small shelter, yet soldiers there plant vegetables, finding ways to improve life. The weather shifts unpredictably on tiny patches of land where daily activities unfold. Still, everyone remains remarkably optimistic, maintaining high performance at work on distant islands.”
A detail that moved him deeply was that all soldiers of Youth Union age wore the Union badge on their uniforms, without a single exception. “They also shared with me that they wear it 100% of the time; only when sleeping do they take it off. Otherwise, when working or on duty, they always wear the Union badge on their chest to show their respect and trust in the Youth Union organisation,” said Viet Hoang. Many of the soldiers were born in 2003 or 2004 - very young- yet had volunteered to go to Truong Sa to safeguard the nation’s seas and islands. “That is something I truly value,” he said.
When the delegation visited islands such as Song Tu Tay, Da Tay A, Sinh Ton and Truong Sa Lon, the close bond between the military and civilians was clearly evident. There are civilians living on the islands, and soldiers and residents support and care for one another. Each year, only a few delegations visit, so people greatly cherish every gift from the mainland. “On that occasion, I also brought a gift to Truong Sa - special editions of Nhan Dan Newspaper marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification - to present to the soldiers and residents on the islands. People truly treasured those gifts. Those editions were something that, at that time, many young people and members of the public queued to receive,” he said.
Perhaps the moment that lingered with him the most was when the ship departed Big Truong Sa Island. The islanders stood in solemn lines, waving farewell. Even when the ship had travelled far away, five to seven minutes later, the delegation could still see the flashes from mobile phones of residents and soldiers on the island, still sparkling in the distance. At that moment, many in the delegation could not hold back their tears. “We could feel the immense affection that the people of Truong Sa had for us,” he said, his voice lowering. At that moment, many in the delegation could not hold back their tears. Everyone could feel the deep affection of the people of Truong Sa for them,” his voice softened.
The delegation also held two memorial ceremonies at sea to honour the soldiers who had sacrificed their lives to safeguard the sacred maritime sovereignty of the nation. “When taking part in those memorial ceremonies, we felt deeply choked with emotion as we listened to stories of sacrifice and loss. We released wreaths and flowers into the sea, sending them with the waves as a gesture of gratitude for the sacrifices of our comrades.”
After the trip, the first thing Viet Hoang did when he regained phone signal was to contact the families of two young soldiers. During the journey, the two had asked him to take a photograph to send home to their parents, along with a message: “I am doing well in my duties, I am in good health, so please don’t worry.” Their families moved him deeply when they shared: “Their going to Truong Sa is a sacred duty; the family always supports and encourages them to go to Truong Sa to protect the nation’s seas and islands.”
“Once you have been to Truong Sa and returned, I am certain that in each person’s heart, the love for the country becomes even stronger. Although it takes a long journey to reach Truong Sa, when returning to the mainland, I believe everyone feels that Truong Sa will always remain in their hearts,” Viet Hoang shared.
And there is a saying that anyone who has ever been to Truong Sa knows: The whole country is for Truong Sa, Truong Sa is for the whole country. “This is a slogan that wherever we went on the islands, our delegation would chant together. The soldiers and residents on the islands also strive to firmly protect the sacred maritime sovereignty of the nation, so that the mainland can feel secure in production and work.”
A SHARED HEARTBEAT
OF THE ENTIRE NATION
Beyond the trip to Truong Sa, Viet Hoang has also had the good fortune to be present at many major national events: from the programme marking the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, to activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South, to the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2. During the 80th anniversary ceremony, he was both a delegate attending the event at Ba Dinh Square and, together with fellow Youth Union members, participated in support work and programme rehearsals.
“When people stand among the crowds to watch the military parades, regardless of age, everyone surely feels a shared heartbeat, a sense of pride in the nation,” he recalled. During rehearsals, he witnessed people willing to queue from the previous day to secure a place to watch the parade. He spoke about a war veteran, a wounded soldier in a wheelchair, who still made the effort to find his way to the streets early. He was moved as he recounted how he and other young volunteers helped guide the man into Hung Vuong Street so that he could fully watch the programme - an act of gratitude to the generations before them, those who had sacrificed part of their flesh and blood for the independence enjoyed today.
“Never before has Viet Nam enjoyed such a standing as it does today. There is an immense sense of national pride. And from that, having the honour of taking part in the country’s major commemorative events, I personally feel that the younger generation must contribute more, striving to be worthy of the sacrifices made by our forebears and previous generations.”
He observed that young people in Viet Nam today express their patriotism in ways distinctive to their generation. “Across social media and all media channels, you can see countless images of young people with the Vietnamese flag. There are songs by young artists that are truly moving.” He referred to patriotic songs by young artists that have spread widely on social media as evidence that, whatever their occupation or wherever they may be, Vietnamese youth always carry within them a deep love for their homeland.
That love is not only expressed through domestic events. Viet Hoang has had the opportunity to take part in several international youth exchange programmes, including a visit to Tsinghua University (China). He believes that every young Vietnamese who goes abroad is like a “small ambassador” for the country. “Vietnamese youth possess the confidence, language skills, capability and knowledge to engage and exchange experiences with peers from around the world. Most importantly, we must always preserve our identity and take pride in being Vietnamese.”
DARE TO COMMIT, DARE TO TIE ONE’S FUTURE WITH THE NATION’S DESTINY
In his role as a member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam National Union of Students, Viet Hoang works daily with students, young people he describes as “the future of the country”.
“Today’s students, today’s Gen Z, are an exceptionally talented and resilient generation, with strong independent thinking. Connecting with them, working with them, and guiding them is no easy task,” he said, though he has his own approach.
“First is listening. Young people sometimes have strong individual identities, highly distinctive personalities, and very innovative ways of thinking. We need to listen before we guide.” Then comes companionship, not command, but working alongside them. “We must truly immerse ourselves with them, accompany them, and work with them. When we take action, they will follow.”
Above all, he believes in the power of sincerity: “When we devote our utmost sincerity and work with young people wholeheartedly, I believe today’s youth and students will give their full intellect and enthusiasm to contribute.”
He also stressed that today’s young generation stands at a pivotal moment. “As the country moves towards its 100th anniversary, you are entering the prime of your lives. In just 20 years, you will be taking on the role of national leaders. To become truly capable and outstanding leaders by then, the effort must begin now.”
He emphasised that in the new era, young people need to cultivate knowledge, integrate with technology, artificial intelligence, and big data, while not forgetting the spirit of volunteerism, staying connected to real life and social welfare. “You must turn yourselves into new nuclei—nuclei of digital transformation—so that together with the country, you can become a high-quality workforce,” he shared.
On the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, when asked about a message to young people, Viet Hoang summed it up in one word: “Commitment.”
“Only when we commit ourselves do we truly understand our limits. And only through such commitment can Vietnamese youth achieve great things and fully realise the immense strength of today’s young generation.”
“When today’s young people dare to think, dare to act, dare to take responsibility, dare to commit, and dare to tie their future to the destiny of the nation, then together we will lead Viet Nam into a new era—an era of national rise.”
- Published: March 2026
- Production Manager: Khanh Son
- Content: Anh Thu
- Design: Anh Thu – Thuy Dung
- Photos and videos: 28 Entertainment, provided by the interviewee