Efforts to Promote Vietnamese Culture to The World
	Overseas Vietnamese Youths Share Aspirations at Vietnam Summer Camp Program 2024

Attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang; Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Nguyen Trung Kien; representatives of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union; and more than 100 overseas Vietnamese youths and students from 32 countries and territories participating in Vietnam Summer Camp 2026.

In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang emphasized that 2026 marks the first year of Vietnam's new stage of development following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It is also the first year of the country's administrative restructuring, opening up new development opportunities for localities and the nation as a whole, thereby creating fresh momentum to unlock potential, foster innovation, and pursue faster and more sustainable development.

More than 100 overseas Vietnamese youths and students from 32 countries and territories are participating in Vietnam Summer Camp 2026. (Photo: Thanh Long)

This year's Summer Camp is themed "Heritage journey, connecting to our roots." Over the course of 14 days, participants will travel nearly 1,500 kilometers, from Hanoi to Khanh Hoa province. Along the way, they will visit President Ho Chi Minh's hometown, explore historical sites and the nation's cultural heritage, meet local people across different regions, take part in volunteer activities, interact with young people in Vietnam, and work together to preserve and promote the Vietnamese language. They will also visit the Quy Nhon Science Discovery Center, engage with future officers at the Naval Academy, pay tribute at the Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial Site, and tour the Hoang Sa Exhibition House.

Each destination has been carefully selected with one purpose in mind: "To help you better understand Vietnam, its history, so you can take greater pride in it; its culture, so you can love it more deeply; its people, so you can feel more closely connected; and today's Vietnam, so you can have greater confidence in the country's future," Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang stressed.

She expressed her hope that participants would take the time to observe, engage in conversations, and experience as much as possible, noting that the greatest value of the Summer Camp lies not in the number of places they visit, but in what they come to feel about Vietnam and its people.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang delivers remarks at the opening ceremony. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang also expressed her hope that, wherever they may live, the participants would always be proud of being Vietnamese, preserve the Vietnamese language and the nation's cultural identity, and keep their homeland close to heart.

"Whenever you have the opportunity, share with your international friends the story of a peaceful, friendly, and dynamically developing Vietnam. Whenever possible, bring your knowledge, experience, and connections back to Vietnam. And if one day you choose to return to study, conduct research, start a business, or work in your homeland, I believe Vietnam will always welcome you with open arms," she said.

A cultural performance by overseas Vietnamese participants. (Photo: Thanh Long)

Speaking on behalf of the more than 100 delegates attending the Summer Camp, Mai Hai Khoi, from Warsaw, Poland, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs for organizing the meaningful program.

"We promise to take this journey seriously, listen attentively, and enjoy every moment. We will take lots of photos and record lots of videos. Then, when we return to where we live, we will share our experiences with our friends and younger members of our community in Vietnamese. We believe that no matter how far we go, we will always find our way home," Mai Hai Khoi said.

Sharing the same excitement, Anna Hoang, an overseas Vietnamese participant from the United Kingdom, said this was her first time joining Vietnam Summer Camp. She described feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation as she returned to her homeland and looked forward to meeting many peers from countries and territories around the world.

Young overseas Vietnamese participants at the program. (Photo: Thanh Long)

"During my previous visits to Vietnam, I only had the chance to spend a short time in Hanoi and my family's hometown of Hai Phong. Even so, I was immediately captivated by the beauty of the cities and Vietnam's natural landscapes, and I promised myself that I would continue exploring more parts of the country.

I am especially looking forward to visiting Hue, which is regarded as the birthplace of the traditional ao dai. My love for Vietnam's national costume has inspired me to design ao dai for fashion shows in the United Kingdom. I also hope to see famous destinations such as Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. Although I have long admired Vietnam's beauty through stories, photographs, and the experiences shared by others, I believe that only by experiencing it firsthand can I truly gain a deeper and more complete understanding of the country.

Beyond its breathtaking landscapes and rich history, I am particularly eager to learn more about Vietnam's culture and heritage. Having grown up in the United Kingdom, I am deeply interested in the daily lives of Vietnamese people. I hope to discover the country's customs, traditions, arts, and distinctive cultural values. The opportunity to interact with and connect with local people will certainly broaden my understanding and deepen my appreciation of the richness and diversity of Vietnamese culture."

Anna Hoang performs a lotus dance at the program. (Photo: Pham Ly)

Anna Hoang also shared that she is eagerly looking forward to meeting young overseas Vietnamese from many countries around the world. She described the Summer Camp as a valuable opportunity for people who share the same roots but have grown up in different environments to exchange their stories and perspectives. She believes these connections will help foster a stronger community where everyone can find a sense of belonging and take pride in their Vietnamese identity.

Finally, Anna Hoang said she believes the Summer Camp will be a meaningful experience for her. "I will have the opportunity to reconnect more deeply with my roots, gain a better understanding of my family's history and that of my ancestors, and build meaningful relationships with people in Vietnam as well as with other young overseas Vietnamese who share similar experiences. With the aspiration to contribute to preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture, I am truly delighted to be part of Vietnam Summer Camp 2026 and to experience this meaningful program," she said.

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