Patriotism education shifted from “preaching” to 'guiding the way”

In the digital era, patriotism is not just a deeply-rooted sentiment but needs to become a practical civic competency. Education must shift from “preaching” to “guiding the way”, linking love for the homeland with critical thinking, social responsibility, and global integration.

Patriotism in the new context

Party General Secretary To Lam spoke at the ceremony celebrating the 80th anniversary of the education sector and the opening of the 2025-2026 school year on the morning of September 5. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Patriotism is the red thread running through the history of the Vietnamese nation. It is a sacred sentiment, nurtured over thousands of years of nation-building and defense, becoming an enduring spiritual foundation for every Vietnamese. From heroic pages of history to everyday actions, patriotism has been, is, and will continue to be a powerful driving force for our nation to rise up.

However, in the context of globalization and the digital era, patriotism cannot remain limited to slogans or sacred emotions. It needs to be concretized as a civic competency - linked with critical thinking, responsible behavior, awareness of integration, and the ability to spread Vietnamese values globally. This is both a challenge and an opportunity to educate patriotism in a new, modern, and more practical form.

Love for the Fatherland - Not just a heritage, but an inner strength

The opening ceremony of the 2025-2026 school year was held with solemnity. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

In the consciousness of the Vietnamese people, patriotism is a precious heritage passed down from generation to generation. Yet in the era of globalization, this value cannot remain solely in its traditional form. It needs to be “transformed” into inner strength - a practical competency that enables Vietnamese citizens to confidently engage with the world.

A young patriot today is not only someone who can sing the national anthem or memorize historical victories. They also need to know how to protect cultural identity, behave civilly in the international community, and participate in innovation and creativity to elevate the country’s standing. Patriotism, therefore, becomes a driving force which motivates them to strive, learn, and contribute - from scientific laboratories and creative startup spaces to community activities.

Modern education: Not just learning history, but living with history

Teacher and students of Marie Curie Primary and Secondary School (Hanoi) during the back-to-school day. Photo: baochinhphu.vn

Previously, the education of patriotism was mainly associated with subjects such as History, Literature, and Civic Education. Today, however, the requirement is to integrate it throughout the entire curriculum and all educational activities.

A history lesson is not just for students to memorize events; it is also an opportunity for them to experience, role-play, reenact, and even debate the choices of their ancestors. A civic activity session should not remain theoretical but be linked to practical projects: protecting the environment, participating in social activities, and exploring local culture.

Family, school, and society - the three pillars of education - need to work closely together. Families plant the seeds of love for the homeland through oral stories; schools nurture it through experiential activities; society spreads it through culture, media, arts, and community engagement. In doing so, patriotism is not just a “lesson” but becomes a “way of life”.

Patriotism - A life skill in the age of information chaos

The grand ceremony celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945-2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945-2025) took place solemnly at the historic Ba Dinh Square. Photo: VGP

In a world flooded with information, patriotism needs to be seen as a life skill. Loving one’s country is not just a spontaneous emotion but a competence that enables citizens to protect themselves and safeguard the nation’s image in the face of challenges. A patriotic citizen in the digital era knows how to: critically evaluate information, avoid sharing fake news, and not be swayed by harmful information streams; behave responsibly and civilly on social media, carefully considering every statement to avoid harming the collective’s reputation; and preserve the country’s honor abroad, behaving properly and becoming a silent “cultural ambassador” for the nation. Thus, today’s patriotism is inseparable from digital skills and global civic awareness.

Instead of dry lectures, patriotism education needs to be linked to concrete situations in modern life. If a student unintentionally shares false information that causes international peers to misunderstand the country, what should they do? This is no longer a “right-or-wrong” question but a lesson in civic responsibility, courage to admit mistakes, and taking corrective action. Such situations help students reflect and engage in dialogue between personal ego and the community’s benefit, and between freedom of expression and social responsibility. From this, patriotism is nurtured through practical experience.

In the past, patriotism education often leaned toward “preaching” via history lessons, and heroic examples, then today, it needs to shift toward a “guiding” role. Teachers should not only tell stories but also inspire aspirations: helping students see that loving their country means learning better, being more creative, and living more compassionately. Patriotism must be linked to personal development goals. When a young person strives for success to contribute to the nation, that love becomes the most powerful motivation for action

From emotion to civic competence

Students during a practical lesson. Photo: VGP/Thu Trang

In the digital era, patriotism is not only a sacred feeling in the heart but must be transformed into practical life skills and actions. Education needs to make patriotism a lodestar for learning, creativity, social responsibility, and global integration. Every citizen, especially the young generation, who connects their love for the country with personal aspirations becomes a valuable resource for the country to rise. A civilized comment online, a kind act in daily life, or an initiative bearing the Vietnamese mark spreading to the world - all contribute to building a proud, humane, and progressive national image.

Patriotism, inherited from the ancestors, is becoming an inner strength for citizens in the digital age, and it is this strength that will drive the Vietnamese nation to firmly integrate, assert its position, and move toward a prosperous and sustainable future.

By: Tu Huu Cong
Translated by: Dang Huyen - Thu Ha