Nurturing “Green seeds” for the Youth Union

Building on the success of the inaugural Green Seed Nurturing Journey held in 2024, the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Union recently continued the initiative with a new program, gathering nearly 250 outstanding young pioneer members from secondary schools across the province.

As part of the Green Seed Nurturing Journey, participating children listen to a guided introduction about the Tran Bien Temple of Literature. Photo: Nga Son

The journey offered outstanding Young Pioneer members not only the chance to exchange, learn, and develop skills, but also a meaningful opportunity to gain real-life experience.

A chance to experience

Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and Chairwoman of the Provincial Young Pioneer Council, stated: “This is the second year the Provincial Youth Union has organized the journey for outstanding Young Pioneer members, but it is the first time since the merger of the former Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai provinces. To help the young pioneers better understand the new Dong Nai province through interaction and experience, the journey brought participants to several historic ‘red addresses’ in the wards of Tran Bien and Tam Hiep. In addition, activities aimed at building resilience, teamwork spirit, and social practice skills were held during the Teambuilding program at the Dong Nai Children's House.”

"The outstanding Young Pioneers participated in the Green Seed Nurturing Journey with a spirit of unity, eagerness to learn, and great effort and determination in every challenge and task. I believe that today’s experiences will become valuable assets, helping them grow stronger in both their studies and personal lives. This also serves as a driving force for the Youth Union, Youth Federation, and Young Pioneer Organization to continue supporting and accompanying our young members and children in the journey ahead."

NGUYEN TRAN PHUONG HA, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, Chairwoman of the Provincial Young Pioneer Council

According to Vuong Minh Hang, a student of Class 8A5 at Long Hung Secondary School in Binh Tan commune, Dong Nai province, it takes several hours to travel from Binh Tan to Tran Bien ward. To avoid missing activities or waking up too early for the trip, Minh Hang, along with other outstanding Young Pioneer members, traveled to the Dong Nai Children’s House in Tran Bien Ward the evening before the event and stayed overnight to be ready for the journey the next day.

Kicking off the program, the delegation visited the Tran Bien Temple of Literature, a site that preserves the historical and cultural values of the Southern region. Here, Minh Hang and fellow participants listened to a guided introduction on the site’s history and explored various features of the complex, including the Tam Quan Gate, Khue Van Pavilion, Tinh Quang Lake, and the Stele House. Notably, the group also visited and offered incense at the Bai Duong Hall, dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh, as well as prominent Vietnamese cultural figures and notable scholars from the Southern region.

Meanwhile, Le Quang Minh, a 9th-grade student from Class 9D at Thanh An Secondary School (in Tan Hung commune, Dong Nai province), expressed his excitement upon visiting Regiment 935, stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base. Quang Minh shared: “When visiting Regiment 935, I not only learned more about the unit’s proud traditions and the broader history of the Vietnam People’s Army, but I also had the opportunity to see modern fighter jets up close and hear the pilots themselves talk about their aircraft. It helped me truly understand the strength behind our national defense, and that the peaceful skies we enjoy today are thanks to the quiet, steadfast contributions of the air force.”

Inspiring motivation to join the Youth Union

According to Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union and Chairwoman of the Provincial Young Pioneer Council, the importance of the Green Seed Nurturing Journey extends beyond providing opportunities for connection, exchange, and experience. Through the program’s activities, the organizers aim to equip outstanding Young Pioneer members with valuable knowledge about history and society.

In doing so, the program aims to foster patriotism, national pride, and a spirit of aspiration in each participant, urging them to strive toward becoming members of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union. These young pioneers are seen as future core members who will help advance Youth Union activities and the youth movement in Dong Nai province.

Outstanding Young Pioneer members participating in the Green Seed Nurturing Journey visit and explore the exhibition area at the Tan Hiep Prison Historical Site. Photo: Nga Son

Five years before joining the Green Seed Nurturing Journey, Tran Que Lam, a student of Class 7/6 at Nguyen Cong Tru Secondary School (in Xuan Hoa commune, Dong Nai province), had already visited the Tan Hiep Prison Historical Site, located in Tam Hiep ward, Dong Nai province. However, at that time, Que Lam only participated in a memorial ceremony, offering incense and flowers in remembrance of the heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s independence and freedom.

This time, in addition to offering incense and flowers, Que Lam had the opportunity to visit the exhibition area and participate in a guided tour of the historical site. Que Lam shared: “Through the museum guide’s explanation, I learned that the Tan Hiep Prison Historical Site was once known as the Political Re-education Center or the Bien Hoa Correctional Center. It was used to imprison revolutionary soldiers and patriotic citizens. Each photo and artifact on display stands as evidence of the atrocities committed by colonial and imperial forces against the Vietnamese people. But what moved me the most was learning how, despite brutal imprisonment and torture, the communist soldiers remained unyielding, becoming even more resilient and steadfast in their pursuit of national independence.”

"Our ancestors endured countless hardships, sacrifices, and even gave their lives to win freedom and independence for our country. As someone from the younger generation living in peace, I will always remember their immense contributions. I will strive harder to become a proud Youth Union member, a good citizen, and someone who contributes to the development of our homeland and nation," Lam added.

By Nga Son - Translated by Hong Van, Minho