Outstanding ethnic minority youth inspire their communities

With a desire to build a brighter future, many young people from ethnic minority communities are striving to excel in their studies and work, while actively contributing to their professional duties and youth movements.

Representatives of the Dong Nai City Youth Union and the Department of Education and Training present awards to outstanding ethnic minority children. Photo: Nga Son

These efforts help spread the spirit of overcoming adversity, providing motivation for younger generations in ethnic minority areas to learn, develop themselves, and contribute to their hometowns and the country.

Striving for academic excellence

The City Youth Union honored 27 outstanding ethnic minority individuals at the 2026 Dong Nai Ethnic Minority Youth and Children Festival, including 17 children. Most of them met the criteria of having good moral character, achieving excellent academic results, and actively participating in Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization activities.

With the aspiration of securing a stable job and income in the future, Lam Thi Ngoc Kieu (from the Khmer ethnic minority group), an eighth-grade student at Loc Ninh Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary School in Loc Ninh ward, consistently strives to study hard. Kieu said, “I am the second of three children. My parents are farmers and day laborers. Although they work hard throughout the year, their income is only enough to cover basic living expenses and our schooling.” She noted that this situation is common among many families in her community. Witnessing the hardships faced by her parents and others around her has become a source of motivation for her to pursue academic excellence.

According to Kieu, she does not have the means to attend extra classes, so she focuses on listening carefully to teachers and taking thorough notes during lessons. She organizes knowledge from her teachers and textbooks into mind maps to improve retention. For topics she does not understand, she proactively seeks guidance from her teachers. In addition, she uses her smartphone to research further information. For many years, Kieu has consistently been recognized as both an excellent and outstanding student.

For Dieu Thi Thu Hoai (from the S'tieng ethnic minority group), a seventh-grade student at Nghia Trung Secondary School in Nghia Trung commune, the motivation to study comes from her aspiration to become a teacher and share knowledge with students from her own ethnic community. Hoai said, “In my area, some families still do not pay sufficient attention to their children's education. Many young people, especially girls, marry early without a stable career, which leads to many difficulties in life.” Based on this reality, she has continued striving in her studies with the dream of becoming a teacher and helping inspire Stieng students to recognize the value of knowledge and strive to improve their lives.

With that determination, Hoai has consistently been an excellent student over the past seven years. She also actively participates in class and school activities.

Individuals receive certificates of merit as outstanding ethnic minority youth in Dong Nai in 2026.

Making meaningful contributions

In addition to honoring outstanding ethnic minority children, the City Youth Union also recognized 10 outstanding ethnic minority youths. These individuals possess good moral character and have achieved outstanding results in study, work, and social activities. They actively participate in Youth Union and Association movements and have introduced many effective initiatives and models that contribute to the development of youth movements in their localities and units.

Among them is Luc Van Quyet (from the Nung ethnic minority group), Secretary of the Youth Union at Dieu Ong Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary and High School (Bu Dang commune). Quyet said, “The school where I work has 17 ethnic minority students. Given the nature of a boarding school, in addition to academics, students need guidance in daily living skills, self-care, and adapting to communal living.” Therefore, in his role as Youth Union Secretary, Quyet developed a support program that assigns senior Youth Union members and students to accompany and guide younger students as they adapt to the boarding environment. During collective activities and Youth Union chapter meetings, the school Youth Union also integrates life skills education and psychological counseling to help students become more confident in their studies and daily lives.

In addition to innovating the content and methods of Youth Union activities, particularly in education, orientation, and student support, Quyet has also introduced initiatives to promote Party development work among ethnic minority students. Currently, Dieu Ong Ethnic Minority Boarding Secondary and High School has one ethnic minority student admitted to the Party, while three applications for Party membership are currently under review.

Nguyen Tran Phuong Ha, Deputy Secretary of the City Youth Union, Chairwoman of the City Students’ Association, and Chairwoman of the City Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization Council, said, “Outstanding ethnic minority youth will continue to maintain their enthusiasm and continue serving as role models, inspiring other young people and the community through positive values, meaningful living, and social contributions.”

Among the outstanding ethnic minority youths honored by the City Youth Union are many Youth Union officials, members, and young people living in residential areas. As Secretary of the hamlet 7 Youth Union Chapter (Phu Vinh commune), Su Thanh Phong (from the Tay ethnic minority group) has made significant contributions to Youth Union work and community activities. He has mobilized bicycles and school supplies for many disadvantaged students and organized activities supporting new rural development and environmental protection. He also created QR codes for administrative procedures to help residents complete them more conveniently.

These outstanding ethnic minority youths demonstrate that, regardless of their fields, they serve as key contributors to spreading the spirit of overcoming adversity, the determination to rise, and a sense of responsibility to the community. They are also exemplary role models for young people in ethnic minority areas to learn from, follow, and contribute more effectively to the development of their localities and units.

By Nga Son – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha