Continuing the glorious history of the Youth Volunteers

The Youth Volunteer Force (TNXP) – a name associated with the difficult yet glorious years – is a symbol of patriotism, indomitable spirit, and the noble sacrifice of Vietnamese youth. From the early days of building roads, transporting ammunition, and serving in combat, to the reconstruction of the country, they wrote chapters of history with their sweat, blood, and even their lives. In the flow of national development and progress, the spirit of the TNXP remains invaluable – not only a heroic memory but also a tremendous source of spiritual strength for the youth of Phu Tho today, who are continuing to write that history with a spirit of volunteerism, creativity, and a desire to contribute.

Members of the Provincial Association of Former Youth Volunteers reminisced about their glorious history alongside members of the Youth Union.

A historical mission and undying patriotism.

The Youth Volunteer Force was established on July 15, 1950, in Dai Tu, Thai Nguyen, under the direction of President Ho Chi Minh , carrying the noble mission of: opening roads, transporting goods, providing medical care, and ensuring logistical support for the front lines.

During the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, more than 16,000 Youth Volunteers held their ground at key battle zones such as Pha Din, Lung Lo, and Co Noi Junction. During the resistance against the US, the Youth Volunteer force flourished with movements like "Three Ready" and "Five Volunteers." They were the female soldiers at Dong Loc Junction, the immortal "steel squad" of Truong Bon, and tens of thousands of young people who were not afraid to sacrifice themselves for the Fatherland.

In Phu Tho province alone, more than 13,700 young men and women volunteered to join the Youth Volunteer Force over four periods. Among them, Team 253 (formerly Vinh Phu province) is a prime example. Established in 1972, with over 1,200 members, 40% of whom were women, the team undertook the task of opening the 64-kilometer strategic road 217B in the Laotian battlefield – a route of profound military and diplomatic significance. Under fierce bombing, they tirelessly built bridges, culverts, and dams, ensuring smooth traffic flow. These silent contributions were recognized with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces, which Team 253 proudly received, along with hundreds of individuals with outstanding achievements in international missions in Laos who were awarded the First, Second, and Third Class Labor Orders by the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Alongside combat, the Youth Volunteer Force also played a crucial role in building and developing the country. The Youth Economic Zone (EZ), established in seven communes of the former Tan Son district, Phu Tho province, with the former Minh Dai commune as its center, is a clear example. Nearly 55 years ago, with enthusiasm and love for the Fatherland, 600 outstanding young people from the provinces and cities of Vinh Phu, Hai Hung, Ha Nam, Thai Binh, Hai Phong, and Hanoi, braved difficulties and hardships to volunteer to go into the mountains to carry out labor and production tasks, build new economic zones, study culture, and receive political training. Through the war, the EZ has forged generations of courageous and mature Youth Volunteers, but it has also witnessed many losses and sacrifices from a significant number of them.

As one of the 600 Youth Volunteers who directly participated in building the Phu Tho Economic Zone, having held many important positions and become a core cadre of the Zone, Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien - Vice President of the Phu Tho Former Youth Volunteers Association - was deeply moved when the Economic Zone was recently ranked as a National Historical Monument in April. She also shared: “After the war, despite many difficulties, with the spirit and will of ‘Nothing is impossible…’, the Youth Volunteers continued their new mission – healing wounds, exploring new lands, and building the homeland. They contributed to a series of key national projects, from youth settlement villages to bridges in remote areas and frontier islands. Many comrades became Party and State officials, and officials of various organizations, making positive contributions to the cause of national construction and defense, further enhancing the glorious tradition of the Youth Volunteers.”

The Provincial Association of Former Youth Volunteers currently has over 22,000 active members. Annually, the Provincial Association of Former Youth Volunteers, along with its grassroots branches, maintains the "Comradeship Fund," supporting the construction and repair of charitable houses, and donating thousands of gifts to members facing hardship or illness. The Association also actively collaborates with relevant agencies to review, verify, and propose the resolution of policy benefits for its members.

Today's youth are following in the footsteps of their forefathers.

Today, the pioneering and volunteer spirit of the Youth Volunteer Force continues to be strongly ignited in every activity of the youth of Phu Tho. At the annual Hung Kings Commemoration Ceremony and the Ancestral Land Culture and Tourism Week, thousands of young volunteers serve, from maintaining security and order, directing traffic, assisting tourists, to cleaning the environment, contributing to creating a civilized and friendly appearance for the Hung Kings Historical Relic Site.

When natural disasters struck some localities of the former Phu Tho province, the "green-uniformed soldiers" were the first to arrive to help people overcome the consequences, rebuild houses, and clear mud and debris. Activities such as visiting and giving gifts to former Youth Volunteers, and lighting candles of gratitude at martyrs' cemeteries... were also regularly maintained by the Provincial Youth Union and its branches - as a profound expression of gratitude to the previous generation.

Implementing the movement "Pioneering in protecting the Fatherland and maintaining social order and safety," the Youth Union branches at all levels in the province have participated in many activities to maintain security and order; mobilizing Youth Union members to volunteer to enlist in the army, contributing to the cultivation of political fortitude and raising the awareness and responsibility of the youth towards the community and the Fatherland.

In addition, thousands of union members continue to actively participate in building new rural areas, reforming administration, promoting digitalization, planting trees, cleaning up the environment, and even supporting international peacekeeping activities.

According to statistics up to 2022 (the time of the Provincial Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, term 2022-2027), the total number of youth union members in all three provinces is nearly 270,000.

According to Comrade Bui Duc Giang, Secretary of the Phu Tho Provincial Youth Union, many programs have been and are being implemented to create an environment for young people to play a pioneering role in key areas such as digital transformation, tourism, environmental protection, and entrepreneurship.

“We have identified the education of revolutionary traditions, especially the spirit of the Youth Volunteers, as one of the key focuses in the work of the Youth Union. Today's young generation in Phu Tho not only knows how to show gratitude but also takes practical action to continue this legacy – from volunteer activities, environmental protection, supporting people in disaster-stricken areas to participating in digital transformation and building new rural areas. In the coming time, the Provincial Youth Union will continue to extensively implement the movements “Youth Volunteers for the Community,” “Youth Starting Businesses,” and create an environment for young people to experience, train, and contribute. This is how today's generation will continue to write the glorious golden pages of the Youth Volunteers' history with a new spirit and new responsibility.”

The glorious pages of history written by the Youth Volunteers with blood and tears will not close like an old chapter, but will forever be a solid foundation for the development of the country today. From Dien Bien Phu to Truong Bon, from the battlefields of Laos to the remote villages - the spirit of the Youth Volunteers has never faded because it continues to burn brightly in the hearts of young people - those who, with their youthful energy, creativity, and gratitude, have been and are ready to dedicate themselves, ready to sacrifice, ready to write more "golden pages" of the nation's history, new chapters for that endless epic.

Hieu Nghia

Source: https://baophutho.vn/viet-tiep-trang-su-vang-thanh-nien-xung-phong-236150.htm