Empowering youth leaders

In the context of rapid scientific and technological development and deepening international integration, youth leaders are not only individuals who guide and organize movement activities but also those who inspire, promote positive lifestyles, and foster creativity among youth union members and young people.

Pham Van Tien, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Binh Phuoc Ward and Secretary of the Ward Youth Union is honored by the Provincial Youth Union as an Outstanding Youth Leader of 2025. Photo: Nguyen Tuyet.

Facing the expectations of youth union members, young people and the wider community, the contingent of Youth Union cadres at all levels continually strives to excel in their role as youth leaders, contributing to the overall achievements of the Union’s work and the youth movement.

Proactive, creative, and adaptable to the new context

Pham Van Tien has spent over a decade dedicated to Youth Union work. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Binh Phuoc Ward and Secretary of the Ward Youth Union. Known for his energy, dynamism, and innovative leadership, he has made significant contributions to Youth Union activities and youth programs.

Tien said that prior to the provincial merger on July 1, 2025, he held the positions of Secretary of the Tien Hung Commune Youth Union and Deputy Secretary of the Dong Xoai City Youth Union in the former Binh Phuoc Province. Since the merger, he has served as the Youth Union Secretary of the newly formed Binh Phuoc Ward created by combining five former wards namely Tan Phu, Tan Dong, Tan Thien, Tan Binh, Tan Xuan and Tien Hung Commune. The ward is notable for its large youth union membership and young people, extensive area, and numerous affiliated youth groups.

Leveraging his previous role as Deputy Secretary of the Dong Xoai City Youth Union, Tien rapidly familiarized himself with the ward, mapped out its youth membership, and ensured that Youth Union work and youth programs proceeded seamlessly.

Tien emphasized that ensuring uninterrupted Youth Union activities required aligning closely with the Provincial Youth Union’s directives, the local political agenda, and the needs of young people. Beyond strengthening Youth Union programs in schools, the ward prioritized grassroots initiatives, creating recreational and developmental opportunities for youth, particularly in local communities, and integrating school-based youth into neighborhood activities to reinvigorate the movement at the community level. He also focused on organizing training programs to enhance the skills and capacities of grassroots Youth Union cadres.

Bui Thi Khanh Linh, Vice Chaiworman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the ward and Secretary of the Tran Bien Ward Youth Union, describes her 8-year involvement with Youth Union as a journey of learning and growth. She previously worked as a youth leadership and management officer at the former Bien Hoa City Youth Union. Facing a staff shortage at the time, she handled a wide range of responsibilities, from office administration, inspections, and awards management to maintaining up-to-date records of youth union members and young people.

Khanh Linh said that being entrusted with responsibilities across multiple areas gave her the chance to gain experience and develop her skills, which helped her transition smoothly when she became Secretary of the Trung Dung Ward Youth Union in the former Bien Hoa City, and then, on July 1, 2025, she took on the role of youth leader in Tran Bien, the province’s most populous “super ward.” Since the merger, despite initial challenges, she has successfully launched a range of impactful activities that have drawn strong participation from youth union members, while maintaining alignment with the directives of higher-level Youth Union bodies and local authorities.

Enhancing skills and professional competence of Youth Union cadres

Since the provincial merger, Dong Nai has 119 full-time Youth Union cadres at the provincial, communal, and equivalent levels. Many of these youth leaders with years of experience have made notable contributions to Youth Union work and movements of teenagers and children. At the same time, several newer cadres still face challenges in assuming their roles.

Cadres across the province have demonstrated tireless effort with the spirit of “running while lining up”, ensuring that Youth Union activities and movements of teenagers and children proceeded without disruption. One of the first major accomplishments following the provincial merger was supporting local authorities in implementing the two-tier local administration model. Following July 1, 2025, ward and commune Youth Unions organized volunteer teams to assist residents and businesses at public administrative service centers.

Bui Thi Khanh Linh, Secretary of the Tran Bien Ward Youth Union, described the Provincial Youth Union’s directives at the time as a rallying call. Faced with the urgent task, the ward partnered with Lac Hong University’s Youth Union to set up a volunteer unit at the ward’s Public Administrative Service Center. With the additional volunteer support, the center’s operations gradually stabilized and received recognition and praise from local authorities.

Recently, in response to severe flooding that caused heavy losses of life and property in the Central and Central Highlands regions, local Youth Union organizations, in coordination with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other socio-political groups, mobilized funds, essential supplies, and clothing to support affected communities. At the same time, Youth Union branches assisted the Fatherland Front in organizing local congresses and worked quickly to prepare and hold commune- and ward-level Youth Union congresses in line with required standards.

Youth Union cadres have shown remarkable dedication and achieved significant results. However, Provincial Youth Union representatives stress that meeting the growing demands of their work requires cadres to demonstrate resilience, innovative thinking, digital proficiency, and a strong commitment to community service. In addition to each individual’s commitment to self-learning and self-improvement, the Provincial Youth Union focuses on enhancing cadres’ professional skills and expertise for its cadres. With these strengths, the Youth Union cadres will effectively support young people, unlock their potential, foster creativity, and a spirit of civic engagement among the Youth Union members and young people, contributing to the development of their communities and the nation.

By Nguyen Tuyet – Translated by Tam Binh, Thu Ha