Ready to sacrifice when the Fatherland needs

Five forums at the 9th Congress of the Vietnam Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh City on November 4th provided an opportunity for the youth of Ho Chi Minh City to express their views on many issues that are not only current affairs for young people, but also common problems of society.

Representatives of Ho Chi Minh City leadership presented flowers to congratulate the delegates at the opening session of the congress on the morning of November 4th - Photo: THANH HIEP

Topics discussed at the congress included: Ho Chi Minh City youth starting businesses, establishing careers, and innovation; Ho Chi Minh City youth implementing the "Green Environment - Green Lifestyle" program; Proud of the history of the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union and the "I Love My Homeland" movement; Supporting disadvantaged youth; and Enhancing the capacity to organize volunteer activities.

When I compete abroad and look up at the stands and see the national flag, my heart swells with emotion because this is my homeland. So, I'm not saying I'm patriotic, but simply that "I am Vietnamese."

Player HUYNH NHU (captain of the Vietnam women's national football team)

Patriotism in every person

Dr. Do Pham Nguyet Thanh ( Military Hospital 175 ) said that everyone has their own way of showing patriotism, but it's not necessary to go abroad to introduce the country to international friends. According to Dr. Thanh, every post on social media can be a way for young people to introduce the image and culture of their country to the world. But to express that patriotism, she believes one must be healthy first because "only with good health can one protect and build the nation."

Sharing her feelings from her recent trip to help with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi (Typhoon No. 3) in the North, singer Phuong My Chi admitted that she had overcome her anxiety and realized the lesson of courage that every young person needs to have. "I spread love for national culture to the younger generation through each of my musical works. Patriotism is always present in each person, and every young person should act and share with their compatriots," said singer Phuong My Chi.

The general consensus is that we shouldn't think too grandly; simply doing our daily jobs well is already contributing to the development of the city and the country, and demonstrating patriotism in our own way. Like swimmer Ánh Viên, who said that when she first competed and only won a silver medal, she was determined to win a gold medal to "make" her friends from other countries listen to the Vietnamese national anthem and salute the Vietnamese flag.

"Back then, I not only 'made' athletes from other countries salute the Vietnamese flag once, but three times when I stepped onto the podium to receive my highest medal," Anh Vien shared.

From left to right: Miss Ngoc Chau, singer Phuong My Chi, and taekwondo athlete Chau Tuyet Van at the congress - Photo: Vietnam Youth Union of Ho Chi Minh City.

A desire to contribute and dedicate oneself; a spirit of

This spirit was shared at a forum on entrepreneurship, business development, and innovation. Mr. Truong Minh Dat – co-founder and CEO of BenKon Joint Stock Company – said his entrepreneurial journey stemmed from the motivation that "young people must take risks and contribute to the country's development." The entrepreneurial process involves many difficulties, so Mr. Dat believes the Youth Union needs to support young people in equipping them with the necessary skills and professional knowledge during their entrepreneurial journey.

Ms. Tran Phuong Ngoc Thao, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Young Entrepreneurs Association, believes that young people should think about reaching out to the world . "The story of sustainable business development is a new trend that young entrepreneurs must grasp. The Ho Chi Minh City Young Entrepreneurs Association will have activities to support those interested in investing in sustainable development," Ms. Thao said.

Meanwhile, discussing the implementation of the "Green Environment - Green Lifestyle" program, Ms. Truong Thanh Thuy (project director of PRO Vietnam) shared that PRO Vietnam has collected and recycled approximately 64,000 tons of waste. This includes both high-value packaging and low-value items, all of which present challenges in the recycling process.

Ms. Ngo Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, Deputy Head of the Environmental Protection Department (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment), believes that the important role of young people in sustainable development is an increasingly popular concept today. "Vietnam has committed to implementing the United Nations' sustainable development goals. These are not just benchmarks, but also guidelines for each country, city, and individual to form an environmentally friendly lifestyle," Ms. Thanh said.

Therefore, every young person needs to equip themselves with knowledge about environmental protection and climate change adaptation. They need critical thinking skills to correctly assess and avoid being overly pessimistic about environmental issues. At the same time, they must act not only to protect the environment in their daily lives but also to promote the pioneering role of young people, utilizing the strengths of social media to raise awareness, monitor environmental protection efforts, and report inappropriate behaviors so that relevant authorities can address them promptly.

A destination for the disadvantaged.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Hang (Binh Thanh District) said that the community's perception of people with disabilities needs to change because it is only a minor impairment or inconvenience, not a misfortune. Because vulnerable people, especially young people with disabilities, still face difficulties accessing employment opportunities, Ms. Hang hopes the Association will be an ideal destination for them to come to and share their career aspirations.

Mr. Le Van Phuc, Deputy Head of the National Volunteer Network's Standing Committee in the Southern region, said that a sustainable and effective livelihood model is needed, and the most important thing is to build the model and follow it throughout. It must be ensured that support for the livelihood model, including livestock, seedlings, observation units, assistance, and guidance, is provided to ensure that the livelihood develops well, generates profit, and creates income.

Volunteering related to professional expertise.

Enhancing the capacity of volunteer organizations is a topic receiving much attention. Accordingly, it is necessary to create a legal framework and support mechanisms for volunteer activities, and to create favorable conditions for young people and citizens who wish to volunteer. In addition, emphasis should be placed on volunteer activities that are relevant to the expertise of young people and the specific characteristics of the organizations providing the volunteer work.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/san-sang-dang-hien-khi-to-quoc-can-20241104234931374.htm