>>> Part 1: “Greening cyberspace” with positive information

>>> Part 2: Gradually mastering digital space

Final Part: Building ideological “immunity” in cyberspace

Amid the vast amount of information on social media, improving young people's ability to identify and filter information is essential to building ideological "immunity" and protecting them against distorted and false arguments in cyberspace.

Improving the ability to identify harmful and toxic information

Young people have the advantage of quickly adapting to social media, actively exploring new information and expressing their views. However, as they are still developing and maturing, many have limited life experience. More importantly, they represent the future generation entrusted with carrying forward the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. Taking advantage of these characteristics, hostile forces have spread false and distorted information about hot-button issues attracting significant public attention on social media, seeking to negatively influence young people's awareness and trust.

A teacher at Nguyen Du Primary School in Tran Bien Ward guides students in using digital technology for learning and creating media products for Young Pioneer activities. Photo: Nga Son

Recognizing the tactics and schemes employed by hostile forces to target young people, the Dong Nai City Youth Union (DNYU) has proactively provided authoritative information, guided public opinion and promoted positive values in cyberspace. These efforts have been implemented through the effective operation of official communication channels maintained by Youth Union (YU), Students’ Association, and Young Pioneer Organization.

Nguyen Minh Kien, Member of the Dong Nai City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Secretary of the DNYU, said the content and methods of communication, awareness-raising and guidance have undergone significant changes. Previously, communication activities relied primarily on conventional news articles. YU chapters at all levels have now diversified their communication products, including infographics, short videos, podcasts and other creative multimedia formats tailored to individual platforms and young people's information consumption habits. Communication content is designed to be accurate, timely, easy to understand and relatable, while encouraging interaction and wider dissemination.

In addition, the DNYU regularly provides information and guidance to its officials, members and young people (referred to collectively as YU members) through periodic conferences for rapporteurs and communicators; the "The Party and Youth – Youth and the Party" forum; journey programs such as "Green seeds" and "Red seeds"; and seminars, including "Gen Alpha and the Journey of ideals" and "Nurturing ideals – Youth aspirations." A notable feature of these recent activities is their organization in hybrid formats or through livestreams on the social media platforms of YU, Students’ Association, and Young Pioneer Organization, helping reach a broad audience of young people online.

In implementing the Politburo's Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW on strengthening the protection of the Party's ideological foundation and combating wrongful and hostile viewpoints in the new situation, the former Dong Nai Provincial YU (now the DNYU) mobilized its officials and members to participate in the "Civilized conduct in cyberspace" campaign. At the same time, the DNYU has maintained the effective operation of the Young Theorists' Club and Working Group 35 to protect the Party's ideological foundation and counter erroneous and hostile viewpoints in accordance with Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW.

Tran Thi Tham, Vice Chairwoman of the Trang Dai Ward Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Secretary of the Ward YU, said, "Under the DNYU’s guidance, I have been able to promptly identify the schemes of 'peaceful evolution' and the erroneous viewpoints disseminated by hostile forces in cyberspace. I have incorporated these issues into regular YU meetings and movement activities to strengthen YU members' 'immunity' against harmful and toxic information. As a result, young people have proactively shared positive information, helping to counter distorted arguments disseminated by hostile forces."

Building generation of resilient and responsible digital citizens

On August 22, 2026, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 25-NQ/TW on the Strategy for Ideological work in the new context. The resolution aims to meet the requirements for renewing ideological work, improving the capacity to guide public opinion, strengthening trust, protecting the Party's ideological foundation and enhancing adaptability to changes in the information environment. For YU organizations and their officials and members, the resolution underscores the need to renew methods of ideological education, improve digital skills, strengthen critical thinking and build "immunity" against misinformation in cyberspace.

"In the coming period, the DNYU will focus on improving the digital skills of YU officials at all levels. Training programs will be developed based on accurate assessments of the current situation to ensure that they meet practical needs. This will help promote the pioneering and creative role of officials and YU members in digital transformation. More importantly, our objective is not merely to equip them with technological skills but also to develop digital citizens who demonstrate resilience, responsibility and critical thinking, possess the ability to verify information and consistently comply with laws governing cyberspace," said Nguyen Minh Kien, Secretary of the DNYU.

To gradually achieve this objective, the DNYU has recently organized numerous activities to equip its officials and members with essential knowledge and skills. As part of efforts to combat and refute distorted and false viewpoints and arguments disseminated by hostile forces, approximately four months ago, the DNYU coordinated with the City Students’ Association to organize training sessions for officials of YU, Students’ Association, as well as core YU members, Students’ Association members and students throughout the city.

During this training session, the DNYU provided updated information on the ideological security situation and analyzed the schemes and tactics employed by hostile forces and political opportunists to exploit cyberspace to spread false information and distort the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws. Alongside theoretical discussions, speakers provided practical guidance on identifying fake news and false information, verifying information, using social media safely and effectively, and applying approaches appropriate for young people to counter wrongful and hostile viewpoints.

To help YU officials and members become proficient in using digital tools, the DNYU also organized training sessions on the application of Canva AI (artificial intelligence) in communication and legal education, while improving their digital capabilities, ability to apply AI and adaptability to professional requirements. These activities have not only enhanced their digital competence but also encouraged officials to apply technology to renew methods of communication, political and ideological education, and legal dissemination. In turn, these efforts have helped raise awareness, strengthen political resolve, improve the ability to identify misinformation and improve the effectiveness of efforts to protect the Party's ideological foundation in cyberspace.

However, acquiring knowledge and skills alone is insufficient. To become genuine digital citizens, every young person must also understand the legal regulations governing cyberspace. During a recent legal dissemination campaign for YU members, the DNYU organized a thematic session on legal regulations concerning AI, digital technology and personal data protection.

Each young person needs to develop a proactive approach to self-study and independent research, continuously update their knowledge and learn to apply emerging technologies. This process can begin with exploring and using digital tools for study and work, improving skills in searching for and verifying information, and learning about legal regulations concerning digital technology, AI and personal data protection, thereby gradually developing a habit of lifelong learning.

Nguyen Minh Kien, Member of the City Party Committee,

Vice Chairman of the City Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and Secretary of the DNYU

Nguyen Thuy Ngoc Minh, Deputy Secretary of the Lac Hong Bilingual School’s YU in Tran Bien Ward, said, "Through the training sessions, YU members have learned to identify what constitutes personal data requiring protection, which activities are permitted by law and the fundamental principles they must observe to ensure appropriate conduct in cyberspace."

Trinh Thi Tinh, who holds a master's degree and is a lecturer in the Department of Party Building at the City School of Politics, said, "Building a generation of resilient and responsible digital citizens is a strategic task aimed at developing young people with a firm ideological stance, a strong command of technology, respect for the law and constant awareness of the consequences of their actions in the digital environment. To achieve this goal, the YU plays a central role in closely integrating education in revolutionary ideals with the development of digital capabilities and the strengthening of civic responsibility."

By Nga Son, Thu Ngoc – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha