Summer Volunteer Experience

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - Summer Volunteer Program is a meaningful activity implemented by the Provincial Youth Union from May to August 2025. Through this campaign, the aim is to promote the pioneering and volunteer spirit of Youth Union members and young people in participating in volunteer activities for community life, social welfare, and contributing to the construction of new rural areas...

Youth union members in Pù Nhi commune are renovating the local martyrs' cemetery.

I remember those sweltering days at the end of July, when Ham Rong Martyrs' Cemetery was always bustling with people coming to offer incense and pay their respects. This is the resting place of more than 2,000 martyrs from Thanh Hoa who sacrificed their lives in the resistance wars against France and the United States, as well as Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who died while performing international duties in Laos. Before the spirits of these heroic martyrs, the youth of Thanh Hoa offered flowers, incense, and lit candles in gratitude, expressing their profound respect and boundless appreciation for the immense contributions and sacrifices of these heroes and martyrs to the cause of national liberation, reunification, and the happiness of the people.

Along with the candle-lighting ceremony to pay tribute, in July, youth union branches at all levels in the province mobilized thousands of volunteer youth union members to participate in beautifying the environment around martyrs' cemeteries and whitewashing thousands of martyrs' graves. They organized extensive propaganda and education activities among youth union members and children about the tradition of "Paying gratitude" and "Remembering the source of the water" associated with the nation's history of struggle for national liberation and defense; 100% of grassroots youth union organizations throughout the province organized activities to express gratitude to families of martyrs. Notably, in Xuan Lap commune, the commune's youth union mobilized over 500 youth union members to clean up the environment in the commune's martyrs' cemetery. In Nghi Son ward, the atmosphere at the small house of Mrs. Tran Thi Hua, born in 1944 (wife of martyr Nguyen Van Rau), became warmer and more vibrant with the visits and encouragement from youth union members. Despite her advanced age, she remains healthy and full of enthusiasm to inspire today's young people to follow in her footsteps.

Immediately after the administrative unit merger, youth union branches at all levels deployed volunteer youth teams, actively participating in supporting the local government and people, contributing to the smooth and efficient operation of the new administrative apparatus. Accordingly, in Xuan Hoa commune, early mornings in July are often crowded with people registering to receive social retirement benefits after Decree 176/2025/ND-CP dated June 30, 2025, detailing and guiding the implementation of some articles of the Law on Social Insurance on social retirement benefits, takes effect from July 1, 2025. According to the regulations, people aged 75 and over who do not have a pension are entitled to social retirement benefits from July 1, 2025, at a rate of 500,000 VND/month. To support the people, youth union members in Tho Xuan commune guided people through the necessary paperwork procedures; Download electronic applications and digital platforms; and help people fill in personal information on declaration forms.

According to Trinh Ngoc Giang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Xuan Hoa commune: “In recent days, the working atmosphere at the commune's public administrative service center has been bustling and serious. Many people are very excited about the changes in the new government apparatus, especially the elderly, because they have received active support from the volunteer team. This has also shortened the time it takes to process administrative procedures for both the people and the government.”

According to the Thanh Hoa Provincial Youth Union, the summer youth volunteer campaign is a regular activity of young people nationwide in general and Thanh Hoa youth in particular. In the summer of 2025, the campaign will continue to be implemented according to target groups, taking place from the end of May to August. According to statistics from the Provincial Youth Union, by July 2025, in response to and launching the campaign, youth union branches at all levels in the province had implemented more than 1,300 youth projects and activities. Volunteer work in rural development was implemented effectively. Volunteer work for social welfare and community service achieved positive results, notably mobilizing more than 1,300 young people to donate blood; organizing free consultations, examinations, and dispensing medicine for nearly 1,300 people...

Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, Le Ngoc Anh, emphasized: "The summer volunteer atmosphere has left a strong mark of the Youth Union and its members on the community. Through this, it has ignited the enthusiasm and creativity of young people, participating in building and protecting the Fatherland. Along with the vibrant activities of young people, Party committees and authorities at all levels have also given special attention to youth, proactively working with the Youth Union, creating conditions for the youth to participate in socio- economic development."

Text and photos: Luu Kiet

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/dau-an-he-tinh-nguyen-259086.htm