Meaningful Green Summer volunteer campaign

While summer is traditionally a time for students to take a break after a demanding academic year, members of the Youth Union and Student Association chapters at universities and colleges across Dong Nai City have once again devoted their vacation to community service through the annual Green Summer volunteer campaign.

Volunteer students from Mien Dong Innovative Technology (MIT) University Vietnam install solar-powered streetlights in Phu Vinh Hamlet, Phu Vinh Commune.

The campaign has not only addressed practical needs in local communities but also provided students with opportunities to develop skills, gain hands-on experience, and strengthen their sense of social responsibility.

Universities take proactive approach

Vo Hien Vinh, Secretary of the Youth Union of MIT University Vietnam in Dau Giay Ward, said the Green Summer campaign has become a long-standing volunteer tradition among generations of students. The university's Youth Union and Student Association began preparations early by developing implementation plans, surveying local needs, and selecting suitable locations. A team of 30 volunteers carried out activities in Phu Vinh Commune from July 16 to 31.

During the 16-day campaign, the volunteers implemented numerous community projects designed to improve local living conditions. The highlight was the "Green Energy Road – Lighting Up the Community" youth project, combined with a flag-lined road in Phu Vinh Hamlet of Phu Vinh Commune, with a total investment of 50 million VND.

According to Vinh, volunteers first cleared vegetation and cleaned the roadside before installing 30 solar-powered streetlights and replacing national flags along the route.

A new feature of this year's campaign was the introduction of the Digital Summer Campaign. Ten volunteers were divided into three groups to provide support at the commune's Public Administration Service Centre while also visiting households to assist residents with administrative procedures, activate electronic identification (e-ID) accounts, and support local digital transformation efforts.

Meanwhile, Dong Nai University's Green Summer campaign concluded in Dak O Commune after completing a range of projects that addressed local needs. Duong Cam Diep, Secretary of the university's Youth Union, said one of the campaign's most notable activities was the “Blue Shirt Tutor” programme, which provided academic support for approximately 240 students. Volunteers also installed 17 solar-powered streetlights and replaced all national flags along the rural road connecting Hamlet 3 and Hamlet 9 in Dak O Commune.

In addition, they presented hundreds of gifts to students, installed five solar-powered lights for a schoolyard lighting project, participated in digital transformation activities, and helped repair six homes belonging to disadvantaged veterans.

Volunteer spirit drives meaningful contributions

Beyond careful planning, fundraising, and coordination by university Youth Union chapters, the campaign drew enthusiastic participation from Youth Union and Student Association officials as well as student volunteers.

Phan Le Duy, Vice President of the Student Association at Dong Nai Technology University and leader of the Digital Summer volunteer team in Thanh Son Commune, said his team was committed to bringing digital technology closer to residents in remote areas. From July 15 to 25, volunteers helped local residents use the VNeID digital identity application, access online public services, complete land administration procedures, and improve awareness of personal data protection and cybersecurity.

According to Duy, Thanh Son remains a disadvantaged area where access to technology is still limited, particularly among elderly residents. Many continue to use basic mobile phones or are unfamiliar with smartphones, making the support process more challenging. To overcome these difficulties, volunteers patiently provided step-by-step guidance and prepared notebooks containing account details, passwords, and key instructions so older residents could refer to them whenever necessary.

"Although the campaign lasted only 10 days, we hope it has helped local residents become more confident in using digital technology, accessing online public services, integrating personal documents into the VNeID application, and protecting themselves in cyberspace," Duy said.

Tran Ngoc Nhi, a fourth-year student at MIT University Vietnam, said this year's campaign marked her fourth participation in Green Summer. She said the experience had given her not only cherished memories but also greater adaptability, compassion, and a stronger sense of responsibility toward the community.

For Tran Ngoc Nhi, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Health Sciences at MIT University Vietnam, 2026 marked her fourth consecutive Green Summer campaign. Among various volunteer tasks, the initiative that left the strongest impression on her was assisting residents with updating land record data and completing procedures for land use right certificates.

Nhi said that to carry out the work, volunteers travelled to individual households, including those located in remote areas with difficult terrain. Some homes could only be reached via narrow, rocky paths. Although physically demanding, Nhi described the experience as highly rewarding. Rather than spending the summer at home, she chose to participate in the volunteer campaign to gain practical experience, contribute to the community and help make the Green Summer campaign even more meaningful.

By Nga Son – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho