The youth of Ho Chi Minh City choose to dedicate themselves to contributing to society.

Amidst the flow of development, some young people choose to venture into the most challenging areas. Some work in forensic laboratories, meticulously examining samples to uncover the truth, while others choose to remain in the heart of the wilderness, preserving treatment protocols with heart and knowledge. Two different paths, but sharing the same aspiration to contribute to the city named after President Ho Chi Minh.

"Racing against time" with the specimens

Few people imagine that behind the hundreds of pages of drug cases and the sensational contraband cases lies the quiet work of those who directly confront toxic samples and evidence where not a single number or conclusion can be wrong. On that "front line," Captain Trinh Hai Thang, a chemical expert in the Criminal Technical Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Police, is one of the young officers quietly shouldering a heavy and complex workload.

Dr. Nrong K' Duy Py, Deputy Head of the Intensive Care Unit at Nhan Ai Hospital, visits an HIV/AIDS patient. Photo: Provided by the hospital.

With an outstanding academic background, graduating with honors from the talented undergraduate program at the University of Natural Sciences , and having received a French Government scholarship for a Master's degree at the University of Paris 11, Trinh Hai Thang's choice did not stop at a purely research-oriented path. Since 2017, he has worked at the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department, directly participating in forensic technical examination work, and later being entrusted with the role of Secretary of the Youth Union branch of the Forensic Technical Department.

In 2025 alone, Captain Trinh Hai Thang personally examined 723 cases involving 1,647 drug-related samples. In addition, he handled numerous biological samples with a high risk of infection, such as 214 forensic blood samples from corpses and hundreds of human urine samples.

Besides drug testing, Thang and his teammates also worked overtime to examine over 2,800 nitrous oxide canisters, nearly 1 ton of fireworks, and engraved markings on metal materials of more than 1,100 motor vehicles, providing crucial evidence for handling dangerous to extremely dangerous crimes in the city. When asked about his most memorable case, Thang mentioned the drug trafficking case involving four female flight attendants, discovered at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Recognizing the complexity and the need for an absolutely accurate conclusion, Trinh Hai Thang proactively volunteered for the assignment, joining his teammates in working long shifts. The conclusion was immediately transferred to the Criminal Investigation Agency and other professional units of the Ho Chi Minh City Police, promptly identifying the correct type and quantity of drugs, contributing to strengthening evidence and expanding the investigation in case VN10.

Caring for patients with love.

Following the road leading to Phu Nghia commune (Dong Nai province), we find Nhan Ai Hospital (under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health ) nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This facility receives and cares for end-stage HIV/AIDS patients, and is one of the most remote and challenging hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City. It is here that young people and medical staff have chosen to stay and care for these special individuals – HIV/AIDS patients. For many years, Dr. Nrong K' Duy Py, Deputy Head of the Intensive Care Unit and Secretary of the hospital's Youth Union, has dedicated himself to caring for patients afflicted with this devastating disease.

In a conversation with Nròng K' Duy Py, he shared his reasons for being involved with this place: “Patients with HIV/AIDS not only face health problems but also feelings of shame and social stigma. Therefore, I wanted to make a difference and chose to work at Nhân Ái Hospital to care for and treat patients, while also raising community awareness and contributing to eliminating social prejudices.” He said that the most difficult aspect of the profession lies not only in medical expertise but also in the psychological and social factors of the patients. Some patients are admitted in serious condition with complex opportunistic infections, but the hardest part is helping them trust, cooperate with treatment, and not give up hope. “If I had to choose an image to describe the profession, I would choose the image of a heart. Because in caring for HIV/AIDS patients, expertise is mandatory, but what helps patients cooperate and overcome the disease is genuine care and love,” he shared.

Today, January 1st, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union is honoring 12 outstanding young citizens of Ho Chi Minh City in 2025. This marks two decades of honoring role models who represent the aspirations for contribution, sense of responsibility, and creative capacity of the city's youth. Through 20 seasons of recognition, this year, these "flowers" continue the beautiful tradition, opening up new energy for a pivotal year in 2026 filled with expectations for the city's development and growth.

THU HOAI - CAM TUYET - CAM NUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/suc-tre-tphcm-chon-dan-than-de-cong-hien-post831585.html