As summer approaches, thousands of Union members and youth from Da Nang bring the enthusiasm of youth to remote and distant areas, overcoming challenges to jointly support people in need and contribute to the construction of the homeland.

Volunteers of the Hand In Hand group of the University of Science and Education (UED) -UD transport materials to build a children's playground in 2022. Photo: L.P

Amidst scorching weather in late July, 2023 I visited the volunteer team of the University of Economic- Da Nang University (UD), stationed at Hoa Bac Primary School in Hoa Vang District, as part of the "Green Summer" campaign. As shared by Mr. Van Cong Vu, Deputy Secretary of the University's Youth Union, upon arrival in Hoa Bac, 61 volunteers immediately dispersed in various directions, swiftly implementing volunteer activities in this challenging mountainous area.

During a 10-day period, the volunteer team organized legal awareness campaigns through simulated court sessions, highlighting the impact of drug-related issues on families, communities, and society. They also provided entrepreneurial training and fostered innovation for the youth in Hoa Vang District, designed branding materials for OCOP products in some communes of Hoa Vang District, taught English and teamwork skills to elementary school students, collaborated with the rescue team from the Son Tra Peninsula Management Board and Da Nang's tourist beaches to conduct basic water rescue training for the local youth in Hoa Bac Commune.

Thanks to the volunteer team's presence, the village landscape became cleaner, and the atmosphere became more lively and vibrant. People of all ages, from children to the elderly, became happier and more excited. To express gratitude towards the volunteer team, some households in the village brought food to support the team.

"This year, the Union chose Hoa Vang District as the site for the Green Summer campaign because we want to leverage our expertise and contribute young forces to the task of building a new rural area locally."
Photo: Brand identity (logo, packaging) for OCOP products from several communes in Hoa Vang District, designed by the specialized student team of the volunteer union, is highly appreciated.

As a member of the mobilization team, on the first afternoon arriving in Hoa Bac, Dao Lam Lan Anh, a third-year student, along with other members of the team, conducted a campaign of "going door to door” to engage parents to encourage children to participate in English and skills classes organized by the volunteer team.

"Thank you, Volunteer summer"

" I will miss the little ones in the village a lot. Thanks to the Green Summer for giving me precious days of youth. It's meaningful."

After 10 days, from dedicated mobilization to standing in the classroom to give lectures, Lan Anh and the volunteer group created the most memorable moments of their youth. Lan Anh, along with the students, developed lesson plans based on specialized support from teachers, resulting in a joyful and cohesive learning and socializing period.

Mr Dinh Van Hin, Head of Ta Lang village, shared about the special connection that the volunteer group had established within the community: “The love of the people for the children cannot be fully expressed. The volunteer group has not been here for too long, but they have created a close bond between the students and the people."

Previously, in July, 2023, another group of 70 volunteers from the University of Foreign Language Studies- University of Da Nang, embarked on a journey to Tra Giang Commune, a mountainous area facing various challenges in Tra Bong District, Quang Ngai Province. During their stay, the volunteers conducted review classes and extracurricular activities for students, contributed to the community by decorating Tra Giang Primary School, and engaged in youth projects. The students also participated in canal dredging, assisting in water drainage, and supporting local agriculture.

For two consecutive years participating in the Green Summer Campaign, Hoang Thi Thien, despite being a female, actively engages in the labor union, taking on tasks that demand physical strength each year. "Green Summer gives me the opportunity to explore new lands, meet new people, listen, share, and, most importantly, contribute my youth to society. Doing something useful for society helps me find the meaning of life.", said Hoang Thi Thien.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of the University of Foreign Language Studies - the University of Da Nang, shared the remarkable success of female volunteers in Quang Ngai. They not only completed the goal of dredging a 500-metre canal but also exceeded it, reaching 1 kilometre and cleaning the canal thoroughly.  

The university also organized the ENGspiring class to help high school students improve their English speaking skills and create a positive learning environment. This activity is expected to become an annual event, reflecting the characteristics of the youth at the university.

According to Dr. Nguyen Thanh Dat, Secretary of the Youth Union of the Da Nang University, in recent years, the Union has redirected its volunteer activities to leverage the ideas, skills, and inherent strengths of the university's youth. For example, repairing old houses for disadvantaged households, supporting the digital transformation of residents in Hoa Bac Commune, erecting solar-powered lighting poles, constructing a concrete volleyball court, and many other meaningful volunteer activities.

“The primary goal of the summer volunteer campaign is to assist people in disadvantaged areas. The second goal is to create an environment for students to develop teamwork, communication, and collective activities. Furthermore, I hope that these journeys will serve as motivation for the young participants to strive for a better future and contribute to improving the lives of those in need," shared Dr Nguyen Thanh Dat.

Bringing Da Nang youthful spirit to every corner 

This summer, the Executive Committee of the Da Nang Youth Union, in collaboration with the Binh Dinh Provincial Youth Union, implemented two main initiatives: the "Green Market without Plastic Waste" model and supporting fishermen by providing purebred seafood offspring.

Additionally, an international volunteer mission was organized to Salavane Province in Laos, with 36 volunteers participating. This mission included various activities such as medical examinations, free medication distribution, and providing gifts and essential supplies to the local community, with a total value exceeding VND 300 million.

Doctor Le Huu Linh Vien, a volunteer in the international volunteer program in Laos, still holds strong emotions when recalling the trip. During the 10 days in Laos, he felt the appreciation that the people of Salavane province expressed towards the volunteer team and the Vietnamese people throughout the medical examinations, consultations, and medicine distribution. He hopes to have the opportunity to return and continue contributing his small effort to help the people there.

In Da Nang, many youth unions responded to the commemoration of the 76^th anniversary of Invalids and Martyrs' Day by conducting sanitation activities, digitizing red addresses, organizing the model "We are always with Mother," and visiting and presenting gifts to former youth volunteers facing difficulties.
Particularly, several youth volunteer groups guided the installation of the VNeID application at homes, contributing to accelerating the digital transformation in the city.

Secretary of the Youth Union Nguyen Manh Dung emphasized the importance of closely adhering to the targets and plans of the 2023 summer volunteer campaign, encouraging creativity, and proactively addressing the urgent issues of each locality.

"Despite many challenges and difficulties, the Da Nang youth are always ready to contribute to the construction of their homeland. This is the enthusiasm and proactive spirit of the youth throughout the city in the Youth Volunteer Campaign 2023", said Nguyen Manh Dung, Secretary of the Da Nang Youth Union.

Reporting by THU DUYEN, QUOC CUONG, QUANG THAO, PHUONG MINH- Translating by T.VY