"October 15" bright examples

Although not formally trained in movement organization, many Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF) officials have, with their youth, passion, pioneering spirit, and volunteerism, overcome hardships to dedicate themselves and continue writing proud chapters in the federation's history.

Thi Hoang Trung (far right), Huynh Thuan Phat (center), and Mai Anh Thoa receive the October 15 Award in Hanoi. Photo: Nga Son

Among the 69 outstanding youth federation officials recently honored with the October 15 Award by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Federation, Dong Nai has 3 representatives, namely Thi Hoang Trung, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Federation; Mai Anh Thoa, Deputy Head of the Youth and Children's Affairs Department, Member of the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Federation Committee; and Huynh Thuan Phat, Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of the commune, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Long Phuoc Commune and Chairman of the Vietnam Youth Federation of Long Phuoc Commune.

Thi Hoang Trung: Author of digital transformation initiatives

Despite having a stable job, Thi Hoang Trung changed his career path because he wanted to be involved in the Youth and Children's Movement. In late 2019, he was recruited to work at the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Union agency. For 6 years, he has been dedicated to Youth Union work and the Youth and Children's Movement, as well as Union work and the Youth Movement, always working with the highest sense of responsibility. Thi Hoang Trung, a specialist at the Provincial Youth Union agency, now serves as Deputy Head of the Youth and Children's Affairs Department and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Union.

In his role as Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Union, Trung advised the Standing Committee of the Provincial Youth Union to establish clubs, teams, and groups based on interests, and to organize cultural, artistic, and sports activities, thereby contributing to the diversification of playgrounds for youth and children. In addition, he advised on the effective implementation of the "I Love My Homeland" Movement, with numerous activities contributing to ensuring social welfare and enhancing the community's quality of life. At the same time, he annually maintains the organization of the "Journey of Faith" for young people serving prison sentences or students undergoing drug addiction treatment in the province, thereby contributing to propaganda and education to help them reform, train well, and soon reintegrate into the community.

During his time with the Youth Union and the Vietnam Youth Federation, Thi Hoang Trung proactively advised on and promoted the implementation of numerous effective models and solutions. Notably, in 2023, he successfully researched and developed a volunteer activity management software called "Volunteer Heart" (www.traitimtinhnguyen.com). The software was launched on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the traditional day of the Vietnam Youth Federation (October 15, 2023). To date, the system has recorded participation from over 95,000 young volunteers. Its introduction has contributed to enhancing the capacity for managing, coordinating, and mobilizing resources for volunteer activities.

In 2024, in the area of technology and digital transformation, Thi Hoang Trung advised on organizing the Hackathon programming competition for youth union members. With the theme "Digitization for data in Youth Union work and developing new applications based on integrating data from three Provincial Youth Union websites," teams collaborated intensively over 24 hours to deliver complete products.

The October 15 Award is a prestigious award presented by the Vietnam Youth Federation to outstanding union officials, members, and youth who have achieved exceptionally remarkable results in their studies, work, and union activities, as well as in the Youth Movement, demonstrating a spirit of responsibility, creativity, and dedication to the community.

Mai Anh Thoa: Contributing to expanding the front of solidarity and gathering youth

In 2019, after graduating from the University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), Mai Anh Thoa began working at the Dong Nai Provincial Youth Union, hoping to challenge herself in a new field while waiting for a job aligned with her area of specialization. However, the youthful, dynamic working environment and frequent engagement with young people gradually drew her in, and she came to love the work without even realizing it. Of her six years at the Provincial Youth Union, she spent four devoted to youth association work and the Youth Movement. In her role as an advisor to the activities of the Provincial Youth Federation and a member of its Committee, Anh Thoa has made meaningful contributions to expanding the united front, engaging young people, and building a strong youth organization.

Anh Thoa shared that each group of young people has different characteristics. To effectively advise the Provincial Youth Union Committee on organizing programs and activities targeting diverse groups of young people, she conducted personal research. She gained an understanding of the needs and characteristics of each group. From there, she advised the Provincial Youth Union Committee to organize many practical programs and activities.

Specifically, she advised on implementing coordinated activities, including signing cooperation agreements between the Provincial Youth Union and the Provincial Young Entrepreneurs Association, the Provincial Young Doctors Association, and affiliated clubs, to organize social welfare programs and support youth startups. She also advised on organizing cultural and artistic playgrounds; the "Every Young Person a Book Friend" movement to encourage young people to develop a reading habit; activities to train and enhance knowledge and skills for association officials; honoring exemplary young families, and disabled young people who overcome difficulties in their studies and work, etc. Through these efforts, she contributed to spreading resilience and the aspiration for a beautiful life among young people.

Huynh Thuan Phat: A youth "leader" who grew up in the movements

Since he was a boy wearing a red scarf, Huynh Thuan Phat, currently the Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the commune, Secretary of the Youth Union, and Chairman of the Youth Union of Long Phuoc commune, has been involved in the movement at the inter-team level. Notably, from 10th grade, he joined the Executive Committee of the school's Youth Union, assuming the role of Secretary of the class's Youth Union branch. After graduating from high school, he continued his studies at the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH).

It is worth mentioning that, after only one year at university, he heard from an acquaintance that the former Bau Can commune was seeking a Deputy Secretary of the Commune Youth Union. His passion for the movement ignited, and he decided to defer his studies to apply for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Bau Can Commune Youth Union.

"My decision also received many opinions from relatives and friends. Some agreed and supported it, but others thought my decision was impulsive. However, at that time, doing what I loved was everything to me, and I could continue my studies later," Phat confided.

As expected, after stabilizing his work, Phat continued his studies and completed his university program in 2018.

Long Phuoc commune is an area with a large number of young workers, making it difficult to gather and organize activities. However, with his understanding of the daily life and psychology of young workers, Phat has organized many suitable activities in the evenings or on weekends, establishing and maintaining interest clubs to attract young workers to participate.

Among these efforts, he frequently organizes seminars, group activities, as well as cultural, artistic, and sports programs for young people. He also leads campaigns such as "Volunteer Saturday" and "Green Sunday," carries out initiatives to build bright - green - clean - beautiful roads, and notably organized a team that operated for ten consecutive evenings to support the greening of electronic identification accounts, thereby promoting the pioneering and voluntary spirit of youth.

Activities that support young people have received increasing attention. In addition to offering gifts and helping youth access loans for economic development, Phat also connects them with job opportunities and provides career counseling and guidance. According to Phat, the Youth Union and Youth Federation of Long Phuoc commune have launched several models, including: "Each branch a livelihood model," "Saturday with digital farmers," "Green economy youth club," "3-in-1 linkage model," and "Rural youth digital integration model", initiatives designed to attract young people and enhance the standing of the association.

Through their dedicated efforts, the three individuals from Dong Nai who won the October 15 Award have demonstrated that young people can create great value when they dare to dream, act, and persistently pursue their passions. They are a strong source of inspiration, providing further motivation for every official, member, and youth to continue contributing and growing.

By Nga Son – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho